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Laryngitis
Overview:
Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx, which can cause pain and loss of, or change in, the voice.
Signs and Symptoms:
* Hoarseness and loss of voice
* Pain when speaking
* Raw feeling in the throat
* A constant need to clear the throat
* Cough
Causes and Organs Affected:
Common causes include:
* Infection (viral or bacterial)
* Allergy
* Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins e.g. cigarette smoke
* Over-use (as with singing or yelling loudly or for long periods)
* Gastric reflux
Risk Factor:
Risk factors for laryngitis include:
* Having a respiratory infection, such as a cold, bronchitis or sinusitis
* Exposure to irritating substances, such as cigarette smoke, excessive alcohol, stomach acid or workplace chemicals
* Overusing your voice, by speaking too much, speaking too loudly, shouting or singing
Treatment:
* Do not smoke, and avoid smoky environments.
* Avoid using your voice for long periods of time
Lifestyle Management:
Drinking plenty of filtered water, eating lots of raw fruits and vegetables, and reducing your intake of refined carbohydrates may help speed your recovery from laryngitis.
Rest your voice as much as possible and drink plenty of fluids, such as water or tea mixed with a little honey and lemon to lubricate your throat.
Some people also find a gargle of salt water or sage tea to be of assistance.