Laryngitis

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Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. It causes hoarse voice or temporary 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 categorised as acute if it lasts less than three weeks. Otherwise it is categorised as chronic and may last over three weeks. The chronic form occurs mostly in middle age and is much more common in men than women.

What are the symptoms of Laryngitis?

  • Fever
  • Hoarseness
  • Swollen lymph nodes or glands in the neck

What causes Laryngitis? The voice box (larynx) is located at the top of the airway to the lungs (trachea). The larynx contains the vocal cords. When the vocal cords become inflamed or infected, they swell. This can cause hoarseness, and may sometimes block the airway.

The most common form of laryngitis is an infection caused by a virus. It may also be caused by:

  • Allergies
  • Bacterial infection
  • Bronchitis
  • Common cold
  • Flu
  • Injury
  • Irritants and chemicals
  • Pneumonia

Laryngitis often occurs with an upper respiratory infection.

Several forms of laryngitis occur in children that can lead to dangerous or fatal respiratory blockage. These forms include:

  • Croup
  • Epiglottitis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if:

  • A small child who is not teething has difficulty breathing, swallowing, or is drooling
  • A child less than 3 months old has hoarseness
  • Hoarseness has lasted for more than 1 week in a child, or 2 weeks in an adult

Diagnosis

A physical examination can determine whether hoarseness is caused by a respiratory tract infection. Patients with lasting hoarseness (especially smokers) will need to see an ear, nose, and throat doctor (otolaryngologist) for tests of the throat and upper airway.

Treatment options

Because most common laryngitis is caused by a virus, antibiotics may not help. Your health care provider will make this decision.

Resting your voice helps by reducing inflammation of the vocal cords. A humidifier may soothe the scratchy feeling that comes with laryngitis. Decongestants and painkillers may relieve the symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, if you have one.
Links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laryngitis