Laryngitis
Laryngitis is an inflammation of your larynx (or voice box) that results in symptoms ranging from a tickling in your throat to a complete loss of your voice. Acute laryngitis is temporary and lasts from a few days to a few weeks. It can be caused by infections or vocal strain. Chronic laryngitis lasts for more than three weeks and is usually caused by inhaled smoke, chemicals, a side effect of acid reflux or sinus infection.
You can usually treat your own acute laryngitis by drinking plenty of fluids and giving your voice some rest.
Recently Answered
- Q How can I help prevent laryngitis?
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Washing your hands often and drinking plenty of fluids may help you avoid catching a cold or flu, which is often the underlying cause of laryngitis. If you doctor recommends it, get a flu shot. Chronic laryngitis, where it lasts for more than two weeks,... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of laryngitis?
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Laryngitis symptoms usually include hoarseness, sore throat, and weak voice box. In addition, you may also have a dry throat, a tickling feeling in the throat, and a dry cough. For young children, symptoms of laryngitis associated with croup can include... Full Answer
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- Q How is laryngitis diagnosed?
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You may suspect you have laryngitis if you throat is very hoarse. Your doctor can confirm this with a laryngoscopy, where they visually inspect your throat using a light and mirror. They might also try a fiber-optic laryngoscopy. This allows a thin tube... Full Answer
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- Q What is laryngitis?
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Laryngitis is the inflammation of the larynx, or voice box. The vocal cords become swollen and irritated, which leads to a weak voice. Most cases are temporary and not serious, though people with severe symptoms should seek treatment from a doctor. Full Answer
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- Q Is laryngitis serious for children?
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For children, most cases of laryngitis are temporary and aren't serious. Typically laryngitis is caused by viral infection that will go away by itself. However, laryngitis can point to a more serious condition in some children. Call the doctor if your... Full Answer
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- Q Should I be worried about laryngitis?
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In many cases, laryngitis is not serious and is not cause for alarm. Many cases go away by themselves within a few days. However, if the laryngitis does not get better in two weeks, or if the patient is a young child, there may be a serious underlying... Full Answer
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- Q Is laryngitis life-threatening?
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Laryngitis is unlikely to be life-threatening. However, it can be a symptom of an underlying cause that could be life-threatening. If you experience chronic laryngitis lasting more than two weeks, seek medical treatment. Full Answer
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- Q What type of medications should I avoid if I have laryngitis?
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In general, you should avoid taking decongestants when you have laryngitis. The reason is that decongestants dry out the throat, which can lead to further irritation. If your doctor advises you to take a decongestant to treat other symptoms, use steam, a... Full Answer
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- Q Is laryngitis contagious?
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You can't catch someone else's laryngitis directly, but you can catch something that might lead to laryngitis. For instance, you can catch a cold, and colds can cause laryngitis. Likewise, laryngitis can develop from exposure to second-hand smoke or... Full Answer
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- Q How do I manage my laryngitis on a daily basis?
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If your laryngitis is severe or lasts for longer than two weeks, see a doctor. If medication is prescribed, make sure to take it as directed. Actions like resting your voice, drinking water, sucking lozenges, and breathing moist air can help you feel... Full Answer
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