Laryngitis – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Saturday, April 28, 2018 by Michelle Simmons

Laryngitis is the swelling and irritation of the voice box, also known as larynx. The larynx, which contains the vocal cords, is located at the top of the airway to the lungs, also known as the trachea. When the vocal cords become inflamed or infected, they swell.

There are a number of conditions that can cause acute laryngitis. The most common cause of laryngitis is a viral infection, usually similar to those that cause the common cold or flu. Other causes of the condition include acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); overuse of voice, such as cheering at a sports event; and irritation from allergies or smoke.

For chronic laryngitis, the common causes include acid reflux, infection, chronic sinusitis, excessive coughin, exposure to inhaled irritant, such as allergens or toxic fumes, excess alcohol consumption, habitual misuse or overuse of voice, smoking, including secondhand smoke, and use of inhaled steroid medicines, such as asthma inhalers.

Known side effects of laryngitis

The side effects of laryngitis include hoarseness or loss of voice, ranging form mild to complete loss of voice, coughing, sore throat, pain in the voice box when speaking or swallowing, the urge to clear the throat, feeling of a lump in the throat, slight fever, difficulty in swallowing, and tiredness.

Laryngitis can also lead to complications. Although rare, vocal cord inflammation can result in respiratory distress, which needs immediate medical treatment. If an underlying condition, such as vocal cord paralysis or throat cancer, is the cause of laryngitis, complications can be severe if the condition is not treated. Vocal paralysis can cause breathing and swallowing difficulties. Moreover, food can also get into the lungs, which can lead to pneumonia.

Body systems harmed by laryngitis

The body system harmed by laryngitis is the respiratory system. This is because laryngitis affects the larynx, which is part of the respiratory system.

List of foods or nutrients that prevent laryngitis

There is no information on what specific foods directly prevent laryngitis. Yet, there are some foods that can help treat the condition. These include apple cider vinegar, couch grass, turmeric, ginger, honey, garlic, cinnamon, chamomile tea, peppermint tea, sage tea, cloves, lemons, green tea, and raisins.

Treatments, management plans for laryngitis

Most cases of laryngitis only need home treatment. Home remedies for laryngitis include the following: resting your voice; consuming plenty of fluids, such as water, soups, and teas, to stay hydrated, keeping the throat moist, by taking lozenges or sugar-free candy to avoid the scratchy feeling in the throat; inhaling steam; gargling with salt and water mixture; and sipping on honey. It is also advised to refrain from smoking or stay away from other people’s smoke.

On the other hand, chronic laryngitis may require more treatment. Speech training may be needed if you keep getting laryngitis because of a problem with the way you talk or sing. If your vocal cords are damaged, surgery may be needed.

Where to learn more

Summary

Laryngitis is the inflammation of the voice box, also known as larynx.

Laryngitis causes hoarseness or loss of voice, coughing, sore throat, pain in the voice box when speaking or swallowing, the urge to clear the throat, feeling of a lump in the throat, slight fever, difficulty in swallowing, and tiredness.

Laryngitis can be treated through home remedies, such as gargling with salt water solution, breathing in steam, drinking lots of water, and resting the voice.

Laryngitis can also be treated with speech training or surgery, depending on the cause.

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