Laryngitis

Laryngitis is swelling of the mucous membrane of the larynx (voicebox), with swelling of the vocal cords, and hoarseness or loss of voice.

Causes

Common causes of Laryngitis are:
Upper respiratory tract infection - most often caused by a virus, such as the common cold
Irritation caused by voice overuse - yelling, singing, and speaking loudly for extended periods of time
Airborne irritants - cigarette smoke and pollen, dust, and mold allergens
Vocal nodules - benign lesions (similar to calluses) caused by thickening of the epithelial tissue of the vocal cords
Vocal polyps - soft, fluid-filled lesions on the vocal cords; can be caused by one episode of voice abuse; may become cancerous, particularly in smokers
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) - stomach acid that rises up in the esophagus and irritates the vocal folds
Other less common causes of laryngitis include:
Functional dysphonia - abnormal use of the vocal mechanisms despite normal anatomy
Laryngeal papilloma - growths on the larynx caused by human papilloma viral infection
Muscle tension dysphonia - a voice disorder caused by excessive or unequal tension while speaking
Reinkes edema - an accumulation of fluid in the vocal cords, often associated with smoking, voice abuse, or reflux
Spasmodic dysphonia - a condition resulting in irregular voice breaks
Vocal cord paralysis - weakness or immobility of the vocal cords

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
  • Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Excessive use of the voice as in singing, public speaking, or yelling
  • Allergies to dust, mold, and pollen
  • Excess alcohol consumption
  • Recent respiratory infection
  • Uncontrolled GERD

Symptoms

Symptoms include:
  • Hoarseness (raspiness, breathiness, strain) or loss of voice
  • Changes in volume (loudness) or in pitch (how high or low the voice is)
  • Sore throat
  • Sensation of a lump in the throat

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.
You may be referred to an otolaryngologist, also called an ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor, if your Laryngitis is not caused by:
  • Respiratory infection
  • Allergies
  • Exposure to smoke
  • Voice overuse
An ENT doctor will also ask about your medical history and examine your voicebox using a flexible, lighted scope that is passed through your nose and down the back of the throat. In some cases, the ENT doctor will place a mirror in the back of your mouth to see your voicebox.
An ENT doctor should examine you if you experience the following:
  • Hoarseness that has no obvious cause or has lasted longer than 2-3 weeks
  • Hoarseness with difficulty swallowing, coughing up blood, a lump in the neck, or pain (aside from that caused by a cold or flu)
  • Complete loss of voice or severe change in voice lasting longer than a few days

Treatment

Laryngitis caused by seasonal allergies or cold, flu, or other viral respiratory infection usually resolves itself within 2 weeks. To relieve symptoms during this time:
  • Rest your voice
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Avoid smoking
  • Take nonprescription pain relievers (i.e., acetaminophen, ibuprofen) as needed
Treating the Underlying Illness 
Managing underlying illnesses, such as GERD or viral infections, often relieves Laryngitis.
Surgery
Surgery may be performed to treat growths on the vocal cords, vocal cord paralysis, or other laryngeal disorders.
Voice Therapy
Laryngitis as a result of voice overuse usually resolves itself within a few days. Voice therapy is often used to treat voice problems, especially those related to vocal overuse. Voice therapy consists of:
  • Voice education
  • Healthy use of the voice
  • Instruction in proper voice technique and use of the breathing muscles
  • The Alexander Technique - a method to treat voice impairment by practicing proper breathing and posture