What is laryngitis?
Laryngitis is inflammation of the vocal cords and the area around them (the larynx, or voice box). It causes hoarseness. Sometimes it’s hard to speak at all. Laryngitis may be acute or chronic. Acute laryngitis occurs suddenly and lasts no more than a few days. Laryngitis is chronic if the hoarseness in your throat lasts for a long time.
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the part of the throat called the larynx or voice box. The larynx is located right above the trachea, where the lungs and throat meet. On either side of the larynx are two folds of skin called the vocal cords, which tighten or loosen to form recognizable speech and sounds. If you’ve ever stretched a balloon’s neck to make pitched squeaks, you can understand how these vocal cords work to create human speech. Ordinarily, the vocal cords are coated with a thin, smooth layer of mucus to keep them lubricated. When the larynx becomes inflamed by a virus or bacterial infection, however, the cords swell up and the mucus may thin or dry out. The result is a hoarse or raspy voice, often accompanied by fever and a cough. Most cases of laryngitis are caused by viral infections, but some are caused by bacterium similar to streptococcus. The standard treatment for laryngitis depends on the root cause. If the laryngitis is viral in nature, then doctors usually suggest
Laryngitis describes inflammation of the vocal folds, no matter what the cause. As a result, it is what doctors call a nonspecific term, or a somewhat vague diagnosis. In the case of hoarseness that comes with a sore throat, cough and a fever, and lasts just a few days, laryngitis is probably an adequate diagnosis, as most such cases are viral in origin and will resolve with rest, hydration and other routine measures. Under certain circumstances, antibiotics may be appropriate, as determined by your physician. If the voice change does not resolve as expected along with the other symptoms of a cold or flu, a cause for the laryngitis must be sought. More than likely, it is not infectious, as the body’s immune system is equipped to react to an infectious organism. The principal sources of chronic irritation of the vocal folds are laryngopharyngeal reflux, allergies and cigarette smoke, either your own or second-hand. It is also possible that there may be a small irregularity of the vocal
Laryngitis is an inflammation in the vocal cords in the larynx, has many causes. The larynx is the organ of voice in mammals. It is commonly known as the voice box. Laryngitis is rarely serious. It usually last less than 7 days. The larynx is a tubular chamber about 2 inches (5 cm) high. It consists of walls of cartilage bound by ligaments and membranes, and moved by muscles. Symptoms of Laryngitis The most common symptoms of laryngitis are: weak, hoarse, gravely voice; sore throat, often fever, dry cough, a tickling in the back of the throat, and difficulty swallowing. What Causes Laryngitis? The most common cause of laryngitis is a viral infection. Laryngitis does not always end when the viral infection is over. The hoarseness may continue for several days to a week or longer after the infection has been treated. Laryngitis can also be caused by a bacterial infection. Other causes of laryngitis include: cheering at a sporting event, singing, and talking very loudly for excessive peri
