How can laryngitis be prevented

Show references Taking care of your voice. Accessed June 30, Bruch JM, et al. Hoarseness in adults. Accessed June 25, Ferri FF. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor Elsevier; Merck Manual Professional Version. Read more about treating laryngitis Can laryngitis be prevented?

However, you can reduce your risk of developing the condition by: making sure you have the annual flu vaccine if recommended by your GP practising good personal hygiene — such as washing your hands before and after eating and after using the toilet avoiding close contact with people who have respiratory infections, such as a cold or flu — particularly if you're prone to laryngitis avoiding irritants, such as smoke or dust — particularly if you have a cold or other respiratory tract infection not smoking not drinking more than the recommended limits of alcohol consumption not regularly clearing your throat — as this can irritate the larynx try swallowing instead raising your head with pillows when you're sleeping — to protect your larynx from any acid reflux from your stomach during sleep not shouting or singing loudly or for long periods of time — it's important for people who regularly use their voice excessively to receive proper training so they don't damage their larynx.

Causes of laryngitis Laryngitis occurs when the larynx voice box becomes irritated and swollen. Infection Viral infections such as a cold or flu are the most common type of infection associated with acute laryngitis. Rarer types of infection include: bacterial infections — such as diphtheria fungal infections — such as thrush candidiasis or aspergillosis People with weakened immune systems, caused by conditions such as HIV or as a result of chemotherapy or steroid medication , are thought to be most at risk from fungal laryngitis.

Laryngitis caused by a viral, bacterial or fungal infection is known as infectious laryngitis. Damage to the larynx Laryngitis is also often caused by straining your voice, such as speaking or singing for long periods or shouting and singing loudly. Laryngitis caused by damage to the larynx is known as mechanical laryngitis. Less common causes of mechanical laryngitis include: direct trauma to the larynx — such as a blow to your throat, an accident or a sports injury prolonged coughing persistent and frequent clearing of your throat Other causes As well as infection and damage to the larynx, laryngitis can also be caused by: smoking and alcohol misuse , which can dry out and irritate your larynx gastro-oesophageal reflux disease GORD — when stomach acid leaks out of your stomach and up into your throat, where it can irritate your larynx allergic reactions to substances such as dust, fumes, chemicals and toxins These causes are most often associated with long-term chronic laryngitis.

Diagnosing laryngitis Laryngitis often gets better without treatment, so you don't usually need to see your GP unless you have particularly severe or long-lasting symptoms. If you see your GP with laryngitis, they'll discuss with you what could be causing the condition, including: overusing your voice smoking misusing alcohol allergies Your GP may refer you for blood tests and take a throat swab using a small cotton bud on a plastic shaft.

They may also examine your larynx using a mirror to look for redness or swelling. Seeing a specialist If your GP thinks you need to see a specialist, they may refer you to an ear, nose and throat ENT specialist for some of the tests described below.

Laryngoscopy A laryngoscopy is a test that involves examining your larynx using a thin tube containing a camera and light source endoscope , which can be passed into your throat through either your nose or mouth. Testing for laryngeal cancer Your ENT specialist may also want to make sure your symptoms aren't the result of laryngeal cancer.

Tests your ENT specialist may recommend to check for laryngeal cancer include: computerised tomography CT scan — a series of X-rays are taken and assembled by a computer into a more detailed 3D image of your throat magnetic resonance imaging MRI scan — strong magnetic fields and radio waves are used to produce detailed scans of the inside of your throat biopsy — where a sample of tissue is taken during a laryngoscopy to check for the presence of cancerous cells Other tests Other tests that may also be carried out include: a skin allergy test to check whether you have an allergy to certain substances chest and neck X-ray to check for any abnormalities, such as an unusual narrowing or swelling of your larynx.

Treating laryngitis In most cases, laryngitis gets better within a week without treatment. Treatment at home You may be able to help your recovery by: not smoking and avoiding smoky, dry or dusty environments drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration — particularly water avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks , even though swallowing may be painful taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen — which may ease any associated pain, headaches and fever children under the age of 16 shouldn't take aspirin gargling with a mouthwash of warm, salty water or an over-the-counter solution, or sucking lozenges — this may help to soothe a sore throat using menthol inhalation and air humidifiers — which may soothe your airways and help keep them clear avoiding speaking when possible and only speaking softly when you need to — but don't whisper because this can put more strain on your larynx Treating underlying causes In some cases, it's possible to treat the underlying cause of laryngitis.

For example: bacterial infections but not viral infections can be treated with antibiotics if smoking or alcohol misuse is causing laryngitis, stopping smoking or cutting down how much you drink can help gastro-oesophageal reflux disease GORD can be treated with medication to reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces — see treating GORD for more information if an allergy is causing laryngitis, you may be able to avoid the substance you're allergic to or take antihistamines to control your body's response to the substance — see treating allergies for more information if straining your voice is causing laryngitis, you may benefit from vocal therapy see below Vocal therapy is a type of speech and language therapy that involves studying how you use your voice and how this may contribute to your symptoms.

Tweet Click here to share this page on Twitter This will open a new window. Print Click here to print this page This will open your print options in a new window. Last updated:. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. Ab Exercises for a Stronger Core. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below. Rest your voice—but DON'T whisper. Drink lots of fluids. Keep your allergies in check.

Don't take reflux lying down. Avoid irritants. Gargle with salt water. Buy a humidifier. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. To rule out more serious conditions, such as laryngeal cancer , a doctor may also recommend:.

There are several treatment options for laryngitis. A person can often treat acute symptoms at home, such as by:. Management of chronic laryngitis often depends on identifying and treating the underlying cause. For example, if the cause is acid reflux, it may be necessary to make dietary changes, such as avoiding fatty, fried, or spicy foods. In the case of a bacterial infection, some doctors may prescribe antibiotics. However, the use of antibiotics for laryngitis is currently controversial.

A review of clinical trials involving participants found that antibiotics do not appear to be effective in treating acute laryngitis. The researchers concluded that the cost, side effects, and negative consequences for antibiotic resistance outweigh the benefits of this treatment for laryngitis. Although it may not always be possible to prevent chronic laryngitis, some simple measures can help, such as:.

Chronic laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box that lasts for more than 3 weeks. People with laryngitis usually experience hoarseness of voice, but it can cause discomfort and a range of other symptoms. Causes of laryngitis can include illnesses, such as colds or the flu, and lifestyle factors, including smoking and excessive use of the voice.

Treatment involves resting the voice, avoiding substances that irritate the throat, and treating any underlying conditions. A look at tightness in the throat, an uncomfortable feeling that has a range of causes. Included is detail on anxiety and the symptoms of the….

Laryngitis is inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx, also known as the voice box. It can be acute or chronic but in most cases is not….