From WikiHealth

Laryngitis

What is it?

Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx, the part of the wind pipe that contains the vocal cords. During a bout of laryngitis the vocal cords become swollen and the ability for the cords to open and close (which creates sound) diminishes. Sometimes the ability to create sound goes away entirely.

Symptoms

Scratchy throat - dry or sore throat; sometimes a cough.
Hoarseness or decrease in normal voice sounds; this can range from mild to severe.
A need to clear the throat.
Sometimes fever (especially if the cause of the laryngitis is viral or bacterial)

Causes

The main cause of laryngitis is infection, bacterial or viral. The infection usually comes from a chest cold.
Voice over-use: people who speak a lot for their jobs (teachers, actors/singers, public speakers, telephone customer service people, etc) are more prone to laryngitis due to heavy use of their vocal cords. Excessive use can lead to inflammation.
Allergies, sinisitus, or exposure to other irritants such as cigarette smoke and alcohol. For certain sensitive individuals, irritants such as these can cause inflammation in the larynx.
GERD- Gastroesophageal reflux disease. With acid reflux, acid moves from the stomach up to the esophagus, and up to the vocal cords. This acid causes damage and inflammation to the voice box (larynx).

Who gets it?

Anyone is prone to getting laryngitis and most people will experience it at least once in their lives. However, there are some who are prone to getting it over and over. Those people need to take more aggressive approach to treatment.

How is it diagnosed?

Generally an official diagnosis is not needed. Most are able to tell that they have it due to loss of voice. This loss of voice usually lasts for a few days to a few weeks.

A doctor can also look at the back of the throat with a special mirror and look for redness, inflammation, ulcers,and bleeding.

How is it treated?

Resting the voice- i.e. not speaking- is the best treatment.
Avoid talking on the phone or in loud places- phone talking can strain the voice more.
Do not whisper- this actually puts more strain on the larynx.
Do not clear the throat, even though this will be your instinct. Instead cough gently.
Drink water. It is very important to keep the vocal cords well lubricated. Water works well, as do certain teas. Try licorice root or Throat Coat tea for optimal results.
Use a humidifier, especially if you live in a dry environment.
Stop smoking and reduce or eliminate alcohol intake. These both dry out the vocal cords and will increase recovery time.
Try an herbal throat spray that has any or all of the following: echinacea, slippery elm, osha, licorice root.
Avoid talking on the phone or in loud places- phone talking can strain the voice more.
Do not whisper- this actually puts more strain on the larynx.
In some cases, antibiotics might be prescribed to get rid of an underlying infection.
In long-term cases, voice training or therapy may be recommended. Often proper use of the voice will help to minimize inflammation of the larynx.

What is the long-term prognosis?

Most of the time, Laryngitis is not a serious ailment and it will go away on its own. The condition should go away within 2 weeks. If it does not, or if it frequently returns, get it checked out by a medical professional. It is possible that there is a bigger underlying problem that may need treatment. In more serious but rare cases, one might have polyps or a malignancy on their vocal cords which could require surgery.

More information

American Academy of Otolaryngology

One Prince Street

Alexandria, VA 22314-3357

Phone: (703) 836-4444

Web Address: http://www.entnet.org

American Speech, Language and Hearing Association