Laryngitis

Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx, otherwise known as the voice box. Laryngitis can be induced if there's an overuse or irritation of the vocal cords or if an infection develops. Laryngitis can be acute or chronic, depending on the cause.

Acute Laryngitis

Acute laryngitis is known to be temporary since it's mostly caused by an infection or overuse of the vocal cords. It's often remedied by treating underlying causes such as viral or bacterial infections or straining the vocal cords by yelling.

Chronic Laryngitis

Chronic laryngitis is often a result of long term exposure to things that irritate the vocal cords. Some of these irritants include chronic sinus infections, acid reflux, smoking, and frequent exposure to allergens and harmful chemicals.

The most common symptoms of laryngitis include:

• Loss of your voice
• Dry cough
• Hoarse throat
• Weakened voice

Some symptoms may be an indication of more detrimental underlying issues that may require medical examination and treatment. Some of these symptoms include:

• Coughing up blood
• Fever that doesn't resolve with treatment
• Enervating pain in the throat

If you're experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact Dr Makhaye.

Treatment for Laryngitis

In most cases, laryngitis can be treated by simply giving your voice a break. However, if you seek treatment, Dr Makhaye may prescribe corticosteroids to help relieve irritation and inflammation. If it's a bacterial infection causing your laryngitis, Dr Makhaye will prescribe an antibiotic to treat the infection.