About this topic
The larynx is also called the voice box. It is a tube that holds your vocal cords and they make sounds when we speak. Our vocal cords help us talk with each other. It also acts like a door that lets air in and closes to keep food out of the lungs. ‚
Sometimes, the voice box and vocal cords get inflamed and swollen. This can happen for many reasons. It can be because you have a cold or the flu or you may have used your voice too much. At times, it may be from breathing in chemicals or smoke. Allergies can cause problems with this as well. ‚
When this happens it is called laryngitis. Laryngitis causes your voice to become hoarse or weak. You may even lose your voice completely. This may be a short-term or long-term problem. Long-term laryngitis may be caused by some other health problem like acid reflux, polyps, or damage to nerves. Treatment will be based on what is causing your laryngitis. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Rest your voice. Do not whisper. This can make your problem worse.
- Put a cool mist humidifier in your room to keep your throat moist.
- Drink lots of liquids.
- Gargle with warm salt water. Mix 1/2 teaspoon salt with a cup of warm water.
- Keep your mouth moist. Try chewing gum or sucking on lozenges.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- You may need to see a specialist called an ENT or ear, nose, and throat doctor.
What drugs may be needed?
Your doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Help with pain and swelling
- Help with acid reflux
Will physical activity be limited?
Physical activity may be limited based on what is causing this problem. Talk with your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Eat soft foods like soup and pureed fruit and vegetables if swallowing is painful.
- Avoid drink sports drinks, soft drinks, or undiluted fruit juice. They have too much sugar and may cause fluid loss and throat pain. Instead try herbal teas, diluted fruit juice, and water.
- Avoid caffeine, smoking, and beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol). These can make your signs worse.
What problems could happen?
- Harm to vocal cords
- Breathing problems
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid being near people who have a cold or the flu.
- Try not to strain your voice. Avoid clearing your throat.
- Dont smoke. Avoid being with people who do smoke.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more mucus or change in color of mucus.
- Voice stays hoarse or voice does not come back after 2 weeks
- Very bad throat pain
- Trouble breathing or swallowing
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what may help ease my sore throat.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have trouble breathing, very bad throat pain, or my voice stays hoarse.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery ‚
http://www.voiceproblem.org/disorders/laryngitis/ ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/sick/laryngitis.html ‚
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders ‚
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/vocalabuse.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚