Laryngitis occurs when your larynx, commonly known as your voice box, becomes inflamed or irritated. This inflammation affects your vocal cords, leading to changes in your voice. Fortunately, laryngitis is often a temporary condition, typically resolving on its own within one to two weeks with proper self-care.
Recognizing Laryngitis Symptoms
Laryngitis symptoms can develop rapidly and often worsen in the first few days. Key indicators of laryngitis include:
- Hoarseness: Your voice may sound rough, strained, or croaky.
- Voice Loss: In some cases, you might experience a temporary loss of voice.
- Persistent Cough: A dry, irritating cough that lingers is a common symptom.
- Frequent Throat Clearing: You may feel the need to constantly clear your throat.
- Sore Throat: Discomfort or pain in your throat can accompany laryngitis.
Children with laryngitis may also exhibit additional symptoms such as:
- Elevated Temperature: A fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher.
- Reduced Appetite: Refusal to eat or drink normally.
- Breathing Difficulties: While rare, some children might experience labored breathing.
Laryngitis is frequently associated with viral infections like colds and flu, so you might have other cold or flu symptoms concurrently. If you are unsure whether your symptoms point to laryngitis, it’s always wise to consult a healthcare professional to rule out other conditions.
Effective Self-Care Strategies for Laryngitis
In most instances, laryngitis resolves naturally within a week or two without requiring medical intervention from a doctor. Focusing on self-care at home can significantly alleviate symptoms and promote healing.
Recommended Self-Care Practices for Laryngitis
- Vocal Rest: Minimize speaking as much as possible. Resting your vocal cords is crucial for recovery.
- Hydration is Key: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Staying hydrated helps to soothe your throat and thin mucus.
- Humidify the Air: Combat dry air, which can exacerbate laryngitis. Use a humidifier or place bowls of water in your room to add moisture to the air, especially if using central heating or air conditioning.
- Salt Water Gargle: Gargling with warm salt water can ease throat discomfort. How to gargle effectively:
- Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Warm water helps the salt dissolve more readily.
- Gargle with the salt water solution for a few seconds, then spit it out. Do not swallow the salt water.
- Repeat this gargling process as often as you find it soothing.
Note: Salt water gargling is not recommended for young children.
What to Avoid When You Have Laryngitis
Certain behaviors can worsen laryngitis symptoms and impede recovery. Avoid the following:
- Straining Your Voice: Refrain from loud talking or whispering, as both put strain on your vocal cords.
- Smoking: Avoid smoking entirely as it irritates the vocal cords and throat.
- Irritating Environments: Stay away from smoky or dusty environments that can further aggravate your larynx.
- Excessive Caffeine and Alcohol: Limit caffeine and alcohol intake as they can lead to dehydration, which is detrimental when you have laryngitis.
When a Pharmacist Can Assist with Laryngitis
Your local pharmacist is a valuable resource for advice and over-the-counter remedies for laryngitis. Pharmacists can recommend:
- Pain Relief Medications: Paracetamol or ibuprofen to alleviate pain and reduce fever.
- Cough Syrups: To help manage your cough and provide relief.
- Throat Lozenges and Gargles: Soothing solutions or lozenges to ease throat pain and discomfort.
Your pharmacist can offer guidance and suggest appropriate treatments to manage your laryngitis symptoms effectively.
When to Seek Non-Urgent Medical Advice from a GP
While laryngitis often resolves with self-care, it’s important to know when to consult a General Practitioner (GP). Schedule a non-urgent appointment if:
- Symptoms Persist: Your laryngitis symptoms do not improve after two weeks of self-care.
- Recurrent Laryngitis: You experience repeated episodes of laryngitis or ongoing voice problems.
During a GP appointment, the doctor will assess your condition to determine the underlying cause of your laryngitis. This may involve:
- Throat Examination: Visually examining your throat, possibly using a small mirror.
- Throat Swab: Taking a throat swab for laboratory testing to identify potential infections.
- Blood Tests: Arranging blood tests if necessary to investigate further.
- Referral to Specialist: Referring you to an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist if you have recurrent laryngitis or complex issues.
If a bacterial infection is identified as the cause of your laryngitis, your GP may prescribe antibiotics.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Attention
In certain situations, laryngitis requires prompt medical attention.
Contact emergency services (111 in the UK) immediately if:
- Severe Pain: You experience intense throat pain.
- Difficulty Swallowing: You have trouble swallowing food or liquids.
Call emergency services (999 in the UK) or go to the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department immediately if:
- Breathing Difficulty: You or your child are struggling to breathe.
Immediate Action Required: Do not drive yourself to A&E if you require urgent care. Ask someone to drive you or call for an ambulance. Bring any medications you are currently taking with you to the hospital.
Common Causes of Laryngitis
Laryngitis is frequently triggered by viral infections, such as those responsible for the common cold or flu. Getting a flu vaccination annually can help reduce your risk of flu-related laryngitis.
Other factors that can contribute to laryngitis include:
- Allergies: Allergens like dust, pollen, and fumes can irritate the larynx.
- Acid Reflux: Stomach acid flowing back up into the throat (acid reflux) can cause inflammation.
- Excessive Coughing: Prolonged and forceful coughing can irritate the vocal cords.
- Chronic Throat Clearing: Habitually clearing your throat can also lead to laryngitis.
Understanding the potential causes can help you take preventive measures and manage your risk of developing laryngitis.
Page last reviewed: 17 January 2024
Next review due: 17 January 2027
