Laryngitis is the inflammation of your voice box from irritation, overuse or infection. Acute laryngitis lasts three to seven days, and and can be treated with home remedies. Should you find yourself with laryngitis symptoms, you can head to Fort Wayne’s Farmers Market to stock up on tea and honey.
Signs, Symptoms and Causes of Laryngitis
Acute laryngitis is often accompanied by a constant sore throat, loss of voice or change of voice. It is most common in adults aged 18 to 40 but can also be seen in children. Laryngitis lasting longer than three weeks is considered chronic laryngitis, and you should speak with a doctor to create a treatment plan.
Causes of laryngitis can include:
- Viruses
- Smoking or vaping
- Vocal cord abuse (excessive yelling or singing)
- Dehydration
- Phlegm or frequent clearing of the throat
Not only can some of these things cause laryngitis, but they can also make the symptoms worse once laryngitis sets in. For instance, smoking and vaping can irritate the throat, prolonging healing time. Alcohol should also be avoided, as it has a dehydrating effect.
Treatments for Laryngitis
Since laryngitis symptoms are typically mild, they can often be treated with at-home remedies.
At-home treatments can include:
- Resting your voice. With laryngitis, your vocal cords are irritated and need time to recover.
- Throat lozenges. Throat lozenges can help soothe throat irritation.
- Stay hydrated. Dehydration further irritates vocal cords.
- Drink tea with honey. There is research to suggest honey could reduce the frequency of coughing. Reduced coughing gives vocal cords time to recover.
- Humidify the air. Dry air irritates vocal cords, delaying their ability to recover.
As with any medical condition, check in with your doctor before beginning treatment.
If you have further questions about laryngitis, contact a specialist at Ear, Nose & Throat Associates.