Laryngitis
Encyclopedia
Laryngitis is an inflammation
of the larynx
. It causes hoarse voice
or the complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the vocal folds
(vocal cords). Dysphonia
is the medical term for a vocal disorder, of which laryngitis is one cause.
Laryngitis is categorized as acute
if it lasts less than a few days. Otherwise it is categorized as chronic
, and may last over 3 weeks. The chronic form of disease occurs mostly in middle age and is much more common in men than women.
certified SLP
(speech language pathologist) or a laryngologist (voice specialized ENT).
If laryngitis is due to gastroesophageal reflux:
If laryngitis is due to a bacterial or fungal infection:
If persistent hoarseness or loss of voice (dysphonia) is a result of vocal cord nodules:
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
of the larynx
Larynx
The larynx , commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the neck of amphibians, reptiles and mammals involved in breathing, sound production, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. It manipulates pitch and volume...
. It causes hoarse voice
Human voice
The human voice consists of sound made by a human being using the vocal folds for talking, singing, laughing, crying, screaming, etc. Its frequency ranges from about 60 to 7000 Hz. The human voice is specifically that part of human sound production in which the vocal folds are the primary...
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). Dysphonia
Dysphonia
Dysphonia is the medical term for disorders of the voice: an impairment in the ability to produce voice sounds using the vocal organs . Thus, dysphonia is a phonation disorder...
is the medical term for a vocal disorder, of which laryngitis is one cause.
Laryngitis is categorized as acute
Acute (medicine)
In medicine, an acute disease is a disease with either or both of:# a rapid onset, as in acute infection# a short course ....
if it lasts less than a few days. Otherwise it is categorized as chronic
Chronic (medicine)
A chronic disease is a disease or other human health condition that is persistent or long-lasting in nature. The term chronic is usually applied when the course of the disease lasts for more than three months. Common chronic diseases include asthma, cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS.In medicine, the...
, and may last over 3 weeks. The chronic form of disease occurs mostly in middle age and is much more common in men than women.
Causes
- acid reflux disease
- allergies
- bacterial or fungal infection
- excessive coughing, smoking, or alcohol consumption
- inflammation due to overuseVocal loadingVocal loading is the stress inflicted on the speech organs when speaking for long periods.- Background :Of the working population, about 15% have professions where their voice is their primary tool. That includes professions such as teachers, sales personnel, actors and singers, and TV and radio...
of the vocal chords - use of inhaled corticosteroids for asthma treatment
- viral infection
Symptoms
- Hoarseness or no voice at all
- Dry, sore burning, throat
- Coughing, which can be a symptom of, or a factor in causing laryngitis
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sensation of swelling in the area of the larynxLarynxThe larynx , commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the neck of amphibians, reptiles and mammals involved in breathing, sound production, and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. It manipulates pitch and volume...
- Cold or flu-like symptoms (which, like a cough, may also be the causal factor for laryngitis)
- Swollen lymph nodeLymph nodeA lymph node is a small ball or an oval-shaped organ of the immune system, distributed widely throughout the body including the armpit and stomach/gut and linked by lymphatic vessels. Lymph nodes are garrisons of B, T, and other immune cells. Lymph nodes are found all through the body, and act as...
s in the throat, chest, or face - Fever
- Coughing out blood
- Difficulty breathing (mostly in children)
- Difficulty eating
- Increased production of saliva in mouth
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 vocologyVocology
Vocology is the science of enabling or endowing the human voice with greater ability or fitness.. Its concerns include the nature of speech and language pathology, the defects of the vocal tract , the remediation of speech therapy and the voice training and voice pedagogy of song and speech for...
certified SLP
Speech and language pathology
Speech-Language Pathology specializes in communication disorders.The main components of speech production include: phonation, the process of sound production; resonance, opening and closing of the vocal folds; intonation, the variation of pitch; and voice, including aeromechanical components of...
(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 (dysphonia) is a result of vocal cord nodules:
- Physicians may recommend a course of treatment that may include a surgical procedure and/or speech therapy.
- Reduction of high-impact stress to the vocal cords caused by loud, frequent, and high-pitched voicing is recommended.