What is Laryngitis ?
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx generally associated with hoarseness or loss of voice . Laryngitis is an inflammation in the vocal cords in the larynx, has many causes. The larnyx 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.
Laryngitis Causes
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. Some other causes of Laryngitis includes :-
- People who smoke.
- Talking very loudly for excessive periods of time.
- Singing.
Laryngitis Symptoms
The most common symptoms of laryngitis are :-
In chronic irritative laryngitis loss of voice quality with voice use, a feeling of irritation or of a lump in the throat, dryness or soreness (often worst in the morning upon wakening) may be features in addition to hoarseness. Chronic cough and wheeze brought on by exercise are signs of more advanced inflammation.
Natural Home remedies to cure Laryngitis
Some of the most common home treatments to treat with laryngitis are :-
1. Sip warm tea with lemon
This traditional remedy is often used by professional singers whose voices are about to give out. Tea contains tannic acids, which can help soothe inflamed tissues in the throat. Adding lemon to the tea will help cut through mucus, which will also help bring your voice back to normal.
2. Pour down the water
Drinking eight to twelve glasses of water a day will help lubricate the larynx, which is essential for stopping laryngitis. It’s best to drink water that’s room temperature. Water that’s too hot or too cold .can irritate the larynx even more.
When laryngitis is stealing your voice, fight back with these easy tips.
3. Settle in for a hot shower
Breathing hot, steamy air will help relax your throat and airways so you can breathe – and talk – more easily. Using a humidifier at night can also be very helpful.
Drink extra fluids, such as water, fruit juice, and tea.
4. Forget the salt water
This is one traditional remedy to skip when you have laryngitis. Gargling with salt water can dry out the throat even more. In addition, the vibrations of gargling can cause the vocal cords to slap together, which can increase the irritation.
5. Handle your voice with care
If you’ve been spending weekends cheering your daughter’s volley ball team, your vocal cords may pay the price. When you have laryngitis, it’s essential to speak quietly for awhile Of, whenever possible, not at all. And forget about whispering: It’s even harder on your vocal cords than taking in a normal voice.
6. Don’t take aspirin
Even though aspirin can help relieve the discomfort of a sore throat and laryngitis, it also slows the time it takes your body to form blood dots. Since laryngitis may be caused by minor injuries to the vocal cords, taking aspirin can actually slow the healing time.
Is Laryngitis contagious ?
Yes, Laryngitis may be contagious.
Prevention
- Avoid smoking or avoid places where cigarettes are smoked.
- Avoidance of upper respiratory infections during cold and flu season may help.
- Drink warm liquids like hot Tang or natural honey and lemon. Helps to get rid of laryngitis.
- A humidifier, preferably a cool mist ultrasonic humidifier, will help. These are more expensive than the usual vaporizer, but are safer and more effective.
- Using good hygienic practices such as hand washing.
Useful References