All Topics  
Laryngitis

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Laryngitis
 
 
  Topics Laryngitis Topic Home

Laryngitis is an inflammation
Inflammation

Inflammation is the complex biological response of Blood vessel tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue....
 of the larynx
Larynx

The larynx , colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the vertebrate trachea and sound production....
. It causes hoarse voice
Human voice

The human voice consists of sound Voice production by a human being using the vocal folds for Speech communication, singing, Laughter, crying, screaming, etc....
 or the complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the vocal folds
Vocal folds

The vocal folds, also known commonly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the larynx....
 (vocal cords).

Laryngitis is categorized as acute
Acute (medicine)

In medicine, an acute disease is a disease with either or both of:# a rapid onset;# a short course .This adjective is part of the definition of several diseases and is, therefore, incorporated in their name, for instance, severe acute respiratory syndrome, acute leukemia....
 if it lasts less than a few days. Otherwise it is categorized as chronic
Chronic (medicine)

In medicine, a chronic disease is a disease that is long-lasting or recurrent. The term chronic describes the Course of the disease, or its rate of onset and development....
, and may last over 3 weeks.

Symptoms
Symptoms of laryngitis can vary, depending on the severity and also the cause.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Laryngitis'
Start a new discussion about 'Laryngitis'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


Laryngitis is an inflammation
Inflammation

Inflammation is the complex biological response of Blood vessel tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. It is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue....
 of the larynx
Larynx

The larynx , colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the vertebrate trachea and sound production....
. It causes hoarse voice
Human voice

The human voice consists of sound Voice production by a human being using the vocal folds for Speech communication, singing, Laughter, crying, screaming, etc....
 or the complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the vocal folds
Vocal folds

The vocal folds, also known commonly as vocal cords, are composed of twin infoldings of mucous membrane stretched horizontally across the larynx....
 (vocal cords).

Laryngitis is categorized as acute
Acute (medicine)

In medicine, an acute disease is a disease with either or both of:# a rapid onset;# a short course .This adjective is part of the definition of several diseases and is, therefore, incorporated in their name, for instance, severe acute respiratory syndrome, acute leukemia....
 if it lasts less than a few days. Otherwise it is categorized as chronic
Chronic (medicine)

In medicine, a chronic disease is a disease that is long-lasting or recurrent. The term chronic describes the Course of the disease, or its rate of onset and development....
, and may last over 3 weeks.

Causes


  • viral infection
  • bacterial or fungal infection
  • inflammation due to overuse
    Vocal loading

    Vocal loading is the stress inflicted on the speech organs when speaking for long periods....
     of the vocal cords
  • excessive coughing, smoking, or alcohol consumption


Symptoms


Symptoms of laryngitis can vary, depending on the severity and also the cause. The most common, and obvious, symptom is impaired speech, ranging from a raspy hoarseness to the total loss of ability to speak, except at a whisper. Other symptoms can include:
  • Dry, sore throat
  • Coughing, which can be a symptom of, or a factor in causing laryngitis;
  • Difficulty swallowing;
  • Sensation of swelling in the area of the larynx
    Larynx

    The larynx , colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the vertebrate trachea and sound production....
    ;
  • Cold or flu-like symptoms (which, like a cough, may also be the causing factor for laryngitis;)
  • Swollen lymph glands in the throat, chest, or face;
  • Fever
  • Difficulty breathing (mostly in children)
  • Difficulty singing
  • Difficulty eating


Treatment

In most instances, the symptoms accompanying laryngitis are more directly linked to the causative factor, such as infection. In cases caused by overuse of the voice, symptoms other than vocal impairment may be absent. Laryngitis, hoarseness or breathiness that lasts for more than two weeks may signal a voice disorder and should be followed up with a voice pathologist. This is typically a vocology
Vocology

Vocology, originally coined by voice scientist Ingo R. Titze, has been defined as the science and practice of voice habilitation. It parallels audiology, the study of hearing and the treatment of hearing disorders....
 certified SLP
Speech and language pathology

Speech-language pathology is the study of disorders that affect a person's speech, language, cognition, voice, swallowing and the Physical medicine and rehabilitation or corrective treatment of physical and/or cognition deficits/Speech disorder resulting in difficulty with communication and/or swallowing....
 (speech language pathologist) or a laryngologist (voice specialized ENT).

If laryngitis is due to gastroesophageal reflux:
  • The patient may be instructed to take a medication such as Zantac or Prilosec for a period of 4-6 weeks.


If laryngitis is due to a bacterial or fungal infection:
  • The patient may be prescribed a course of antibiotics or anti-fungal medication.


If persistent hoarseness or loss of voice (sometimes called "laryngitis") is a result of vocal cord nodules:
  • Physicians may recommend a course of treatment that may include a surgical procedure and/or speech therapy
    Speech therapy

    #redirect Speech and language pathology...
    .
  • Reduction of high-impact stress to the vocal cords caused by loud, frequent, and high pitched voicing is recommended.
  • These may vary


External links