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Laryngitis

What is Laryngitis?

  • Laryngitis is the inflammation (swelling) of the voice box (larynx), which contains the vocal cords.
  • When inflamed, the vocal cords don’t vibrate properly, causing changes in voice.
  • Laryngitis might be caused by a virus or overuse of your voice.

Types of Laryngitis

  • Acute laryngitis – short-term (usually < 2–3 weeks), commonly due to infections
  • Chronic laryngitis – long-term (> 3 weeks), often due to ongoing irritation

Causes of Laryngitis

  • Acute causes
    • Viral infections (cold, flu)
    • Voice overuse (shouting, singing)
    • Rarely bacterial infections
  • Chronic causes
    • Smoking or chemical irritants
    • Acid reflux (GERD)
    • Alcohol use
    • Chronic sinusitis or allergies
    • Repeated voice strain

Symptoms of Laryngitis

  • Hoarseness (most common)
  • Weak voice or loss of voice
  • Sore or dry throat
  • Dry cough
  • Tickling/irritation in throat
  • Frequent throat clearing

Treatment of Laryngitis

  • Rest your voice (avoid talking too much)
  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Avoid smoke, alcohol, and irritants
  • Treat underlying cause (e.g., GERD, infection)
  • Medications if chronic or severe
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