Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box (larynx) from overuse, irritation or infection.<\/p>\n
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Inside the larynx are your vocal cords — two folds of mucous membrane covering muscle and cartilage. Normally, your vocal cords open and close smoothly, forming sounds through their movement and vibration.<\/p>\n
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But in laryngitis, your vocal cords become inflamed or irritated. This swelling causes distortion of the sounds produced by air passing over them. As a result, your voice sounds hoarse. In some cases of laryngitis, your voice can become almost undetectable.<\/p>\n
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Laryngitis may be short-lived (acute) or long lasting (chronic). Most cases of laryngitis are triggered by a temporary viral infection or vocal strain and aren’t serious. Persistent hoarseness can sometimes signal a more serious underlying medical condition.<\/p>\n
Most cases of laryngitis are temporary and improve after the underlying cause gets better. Causes of acute laryngitis include:<\/p>\n
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Chronic laryngitis<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Laryngitis that lasts longer than three weeks is known as chronic laryngitis. This type of laryngitis is generally caused by exposure to irritants over time. Chronic laryngitis can cause vocal cord strain and injuries or growths on the vocal cords (polyps or nodules). These injuries can be caused by:<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Less common causes of chronic laryngitis include:<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Other causes of chronic hoarseness include:<\/p>\n
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\n<\/ul>\n In most cases laryngitis symptoms last less than a couple of weeks and are caused by something minor, such as a virus. Less often, laryngitis symptoms are caused by something more serious or long lasting. Laryngitis signs and symptoms can include:<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n You can manage most acute cases of laryngitis with self-care steps, such as resting your voice and drinking plenty of fluids. Strenuous use of your voice during an episode of acute laryngitis can damage your vocal cords.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Make an appointment with a doctor if your laryngitis symptoms last more than two weeks.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Seek immediate medical attention if you:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Seek immediate medical attention if your child:<\/strong><\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n These signs and symptoms may indicate croup — inflammation of the larynx and the airway just beneath it. Although croup can usually be treated at home, severe symptoms require medical attention. These symptoms also can indicate epiglottitis, an inflammation of the tissue that acts as a lid to cover the windpipe (trachea), which can be life-threatening for children and adults.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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SYMPTOMS<\/h2>\n
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When to see a doctor<\/strong><\/p>\n
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