Laryngitis - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Introduction

Laryngitis is the inflammation of the voice box (larynx). The larynx is present in the anterior compartment of the neck, and its main function is to produce sound. So when this part of the body is affected, it is reflected in the sound produced, and as it is an inflammation, the person will have other symptoms such as throat pain, cough, and irritation in the throat, along with hoarseness of voice or voice loss. There is acute and chronic laryngitis depending upon the duration of the condition persisting as well as the causative factor.

What Are the Causes of Laryngitis?

The causes of laryngitis are discussed by dividing laryngitis into acute and chronic laryngitis.

Acute Laryngitis:

Acute laryngitis is generally temporary and relieved once the causative factor is removed or treated. It is usually preceded by a simple upper respiratory tract infection. The causes would include the following:

• Viral infections are similar to cold or flu.

• Vocal strain while yelling or overuse of voice.

• A less common factor is bacterial infections.

Chronic Laryngitis:

Laryngitis that lasts for more than three weeks is termed chronic laryngitis, which is a result of long-standing exposure to irritants. Chronic laryngitis can cause vocal cord strain and result in damage or injury to vocal cords. In some cases, there are reports of growth in the vocal cord.

The following can cause chronic laryngitis:

• Some jobs require strain on vocal cords, such as teachers, singers, and lawyers; in such people, chronic laryngitis is seen commonly. Prolonged vocal cord strain can lead to nodules or growth in the vocal cords, leading to hoarseness or loss of voice.

• Alcohol contains chemicals that can act as irritants to the throat.

• Smoke, air pollution, and fumes from tobacco products can irritate the larynx and cause laryngitis.

• In patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, the acid rises through the esophagus and results in irritation or burning sensation in the chest and throat.

• Bacterial infections from Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens.

• Fungal infections rarely cause laryngitis, but people on immunosuppressants or who have weak immunity due to some underlying condition may acquire laryngitis.

• Autoimmune disorders such as Wegener's granulomatosis, amyloidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

• Cancer - Chronic laryngitis can be seen as a symptom of laryngeal cancer.

• Surgery or injury to the larynx.

What Are the Symptoms of Laryngitis?

Laryngitis signs and symptoms would include the following:

• Hoarseness.

• Low voice or weak voice.

• Throat pain.

• Sore throat.

• Dry cough.

• Difficulty in speaking.

• Swollen glands.

• Low-grade fever.

• Irritation in the throat.

How to Diagnose Laryngitis?

Usually, laryngitis goes away within two to three weeks and does not need a consultation with a doctor. But in case the symptom persists for a longer period or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever or bloody cough, or ear pain, then do consider a medical consultation, or even before that, you can use the symptom checker option available in this portal for the assessment.

For diagnosis, a detailed patient history is taken, or a clinical examination is done. But in some cases, the following test might be advised:

• Laryngoscopy - Laryngoscopy is carried out for visual examination of the throat by passing a fiber-optic tube with a camera and light fitted at the end, which is passed through the nose or the mouth and watching the movement of the vocal cord as you speak.

• Biopsy - In case of suspecting any growth or nodule, a biopsy is advised that is taking samples and examining them under the microscope.

How Is Laryngitis Treated?

In most cases, the treatment of laryngitis would only require self-care like voice rest, drinking fluids, or warm compresses as the symptom subsides within a week or two. Patients with chronic laryngitis might need treatment to eliminate the underlying cause, such as:

Medical Treatments:

• Antibiotics - In most cases, antibiotics will not show much effect as most cases are by viral infection. In bacterial infections causing laryngitis use of antibiotics is indicated.

• Corticosteroids - Corticosteroids reduce inflammation in a much faster manner and are indicated only when there is a need for faster recovery.

Pain medication is indicated in cases where the patient has throat pain and affects the day-to-day life of the patient.

Home Care:

Home care remedies play a major role in the treatment part of laryngitis. Certain things which need to be taken care of when you have laryngitis would include:

• Warm saline gargles can provide a soothing effect on the throat and can reduce inflammation as well. The saline in this solution has the role of reducing inflammation.

• Drinking ample amounts of water is necessary. Even though initially it seems to be painful, it helps in faster recovery and provides comfort from the irritation in the throat.

• Use humidifiers and menthol.

• Avoid dust and smoke.

• Avoid whispering when you have laryngitis, as it puts more strain on the vocal cord.

• You can also use some herbs like eucalyptus and mint, which have a soothing effect on the throat.

• Give proper rest to the vocal cords. Abstain from speaking or singing when you have laryngitis. Use a microphone or amplifying system to address larger crowds if at all needed.

When to See a Doctor?

Laryngitis needs medical consultation in infants immediately if they exhibit the following symptoms:

• Has difficulty swallowing.

• Has difficulty breathing.

• Make noise while breathing.

• Fever.

• It may lead to croup, which is a narrowing of airways that can be life-threatening in infants.

Consider consulting a doctor for adults if they exhibit the following symptoms:

• Difficulty in breathing.

• Blood in cough.

• Throat pain worsens over time.

• Fever for a long duration.

Conclusion

Laryngitis is not a serious medical condition in the majority of cases and does not require medical consultation as it subsides on its own after one or two weeks. But in children, it can be a serious life-threatening condition if it affects the breathing or swallowing of food. If the laryngitis is not resolved within a few days, consider consulting a doctor, as it may require other treatments with corticosteroids and antibiotics, depending on the diagnosis.