Laryngitis

What is it?

• Laryngitis is most frequently described as hoarseness or a change in quality of the voice
• This hoarseness may last up to 3 weeks

Signs and Symptoms

• Strained voice quality
• Vocal tremor
• Vocal weakness
• Altered pitch
• Breathy voice

Causes

• Viral infection/URI
• Most frequent cause
• Usually is associated with a runny nose, cough and sore throat
• Irritants
• Any chemical exposure
• Gastric reflux
• Chronic post-nasal drip
• Chronic sinusitis
• Chronic alcohol use
• Tobacco smoke
• Polyps
• May be secondary to smoking or reflux
• Seen more frequently in men
• Nodules
• Also called “singer’s” or “screamer’s” nodules
• Often seen in the setting of vocal abuse
• More frequently seen in women and children
• Functional dysphonia (”Hoarseness”)
• Usually affects people with occupations that cause vocal stress, such as teachers or singers

Treatment

• Rest – of the body as well as the voice
• Avoid whispering – it puts more strain on the vocal cords
• Stay well hydrated
• Salt water gargles
• Humidify the air – if it is moist, it will decrease the stress to your vocal cords
• Avoid known irritants
• Antibiotics are not helpful unless there is another bacterial infection as well

When to seek treatment

• If it lasts greater than 2 to 3 weeks
• If there is no known trigger, especially if you use tobacco and alcohol products