Spring is rapidly approaching, and we are still in the middle of the cold and flu season – even though mother nature can’t seem to make up her mind about the weather! During the winter season and early spring, suffering from laryngitis is a common occurrence that affects many. Viral laryngitis is very contagious and can be passed around the same way as the common cold and flu. In fact, laryngitis often begins as a cold or a sore throat, and then travels down to the voice box, where it irritates the vocal cords and the surrounding tissues.
If you have a sore throat or have a coughing fit that lasts more than a week, or have any of the following symptoms, it is time to make an appointment with your ENT specialist.
• Hoarseness or raspy voice; voice is deeper than usual
• Have a voice that easily breaks
• Lost your voice
• Swollen glands
• Have a fever
• Constant deep and raspy coughing
• Have a dry or a sore throat
• Throat is raw or ‘tickles’
• Experiencing shortness of breath
• Have difficulty swallowing
• See small traces of blood in your saliva
There are multiple causes for laryngitis, however, the cold or flu virus is the most common cause. However, acid reflux can be the cause of chronic laryngitis, or it could also be from allergies, smoking, or from steroid medications that are inhaled to treat asthma. In addition, if you overuse your voice or are not using your voice properly, that can also cause laryngitis to form. While each case is different, and may require a different treatment, there are remedies that you can do to help curb the symptoms and get you back onto the road to recovery.
• Set up a humidifier
• Stop constant throat clearing
• Rest your voice
• Avoid whispering as this can put more strain on your vocal cords
• Stop smoking
• Stop drinking alcohol
• Gargle with warm salt water
• Stay hydrated
• Add soothing ingredients to your beverage, such as ginger, honey or lemon
• Suck on lemon or honey flavored lozenges
Luckily, most common cases of suffering from laryngitis can be treated at home. However, if you have a fever, experience extreme pain, or if your condition is not improving or has not disappeared within 10 to 14 days, it is time to consult your doctor. If you believe you are suffering from laryngitis, make an appointment with your ENT specialist today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common symptoms of laryngitis include hoarseness or a raspy voice, a voice that easily breaks, loss of voice, swollen glands, fever, constant deep and raspy coughing, dry or sore throat, a raw or tickling sensation in the throat, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, and sometimes traces of blood in saliva. If these symptoms persist longer than a week, it's important to consult an ENT specialist.
The most common cause of laryngitis is the cold or flu virus. Other causes include acid reflux leading to chronic laryngitis, allergies, smoking, inhaled steroid medications for asthma, and voice overuse or improper use which strains the vocal cords. Identifying the cause is crucial for effective treatment.
You can treat laryngitis at home by resting your voice, avoiding whispering, stopping smoking and alcohol consumption, using a humidifier, gargling with warm salt water, staying hydrated, and using soothing ingredients like ginger, honey, or lemon in beverages. Sucking on lemon or honey-flavored lozenges can also help alleviate symptoms.
You should make an appointment with an ENT specialist if your laryngitis symptoms last longer than 10 to 14 days, if you have a fever or experience extreme pain, or if your condition does not improve. Persistent or severe symptoms might require professional evaluation and treatment to prevent complications.
Yes, viral laryngitis is very contagious and spreads the same way as the common cold and flu, mainly through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Practicing good hygiene and avoiding close contact with infected individuals can reduce the risk of transmission.
Yes, acid reflux is a common cause of chronic laryngitis. The stomach acid irritates the vocal cords and surrounding tissues, leading to inflammation and symptoms of laryngitis. Managing acid reflux can help reduce laryngitis symptoms in affected individuals.
Whispering actually puts more strain on the vocal cords compared to speaking softly because it requires more effort from the voice muscles. To help your vocal cords heal, it's better to rest your voice completely or speak gently without whispering when you have laryngitis.