Laryngitis: Symptoms, Home Remedies & Duration

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What is laryngitis?

Laryngitis is one Infection that is often caused by viruses or irritations, and more rarely by bacteria.

Experts differentiate between acute or chronic laryngitis, which can have various causes. Chronic laryngitis occurs when symptoms persist for more than three weeks.

The most common form is acute, infectious laryngitis. Adults between the ages of 18 and 40 are mostly affected.

Special forms of laryngitis are:

• Pseudocroup, which mainly affects infants and small children
• Acute laryngitis in diphtheria (also called true croup)
• Epiglottitis, a bacterial inflammation of the epiglottis.

Symptoms of laryngitis

Due to the inflammatory thickening of the vocal folds, those affected by laryngitis have problems speaking. A voice disorder with a deep-sounding voice (dysphonia) or even a loss of tone (aphonia) can occur.

Other symptoms of laryngitis include:

• Pain when speaking and swallowing (difficulty swallowing)
• dry, rough or barking cough
• Cough irritation
• Tingling and scratching in the throat and throat
• Forced to clear the throat
• Globus feeling: feeling of a foreign body or lump in the throat
• Shortness of breath (in severe cases)

Some sufferers describe a general feeling of illness or have a fever. Others show no other symptoms besides hoarseness.

Laryngitis: home remedies and self-help measures

A slight inflammation of the larynx, such as a side effect of a cold, often disappears on its own once the underlying disease has been cured.

To support the healing process, those affected should protect their voice, but not whisper, as this puts strain on the vocal folds. It is also important to avoid alcohol and nicotine and to avoid spicy foods.

There are also some home remedies that support the treatment of laryngitis and help against symptoms such as sore throats, difficulty swallowing and coughing. This includes:

• Apply warm neck wraps
• Inhale with steam or salt water
• Drink plenty of fluids, preferably warm drinks such as herbal tea
• Suck throat drops or throat lozenges
• Use a room humidifier, it provides moist air and can thus support recovery

Laryngitis: treatment with medication

To treat (mild) laryngitis, anti-inflammatory, decongestant and expectorant medicines can be used. If there is another underlying disease behind the symptoms, this must be treated specifically.

Depending on the cause of laryngitis, different medications are indicated.

• Antibiotics: If the disease was caused by bacteria, treatment can be carried out with antibiotics.

• cortisone: If the swelling is severe, the doctor may prescribe cortisone preparations. This can be the case, for example, if the laryngitis arose as a result of chronic sinusitis.

• Acid inhibitors: If gastroesophageal reflux disease is the trigger for laryngitis, proton pump inhibitors can be prescribed, which bind excess acid in the stomach.

If the voice remains impaired after the infection has subsided, for example if it sounds weaker, is quieter or less resilient, voice therapy can promote regeneration. Speech therapy is used Exercises performed to restore or improve vocal function.

In the case of chronic laryngitis, the triggering factors must be identified and avoided in the future.

Laryngitis: causes and infection

Laryngitis can be triggered by various factors. The causes of acute laryngitis include:

• gripal infect
• Inflammation of the throat
• long speaking
• Long stays in smoky or dry indoor spaces

Trigger of chronic laryngitis

Chronic laryngitis usually occurs because the mucous membranes have been irritated for a long time. For example, through heavy consumption of nicotine or alcohol or polluted and dusty air in the workplace.

The following reasons also come into question:

• restricted nasal breathing (for example due to a chronic sinus infection)
• Incorrect vocal technique (e.g. for singers or actors)
• Allergies (such as hay fever)
• Reflux disease: Reflux is usually accompanied by heartburn, in which stomach acid rises and irritates the upper respiratory tract. This can lead to chronic inflammation of the throat and larynx.

Is laryngitis contagious?

Laryngitis is contagious if it is caused by a viral or bacterial infection. When you cough, sneeze or speak, tiny droplets are expelled and the pathogens are transmitted (droplet infection).

The duration of the risk of infection depends on the pathogen in question and the type of treatment and can range from a few days to two weeks.

However, anyone who becomes infected does not automatically develop laryngitis. If the pathogen type is an influenza virus, those affected will develop flu, which does not necessarily attack the larynx.

Course and duration of laryngitis

Acute laryngitis usually lasts no longer than three weeks. If the inflammation is caused by a viral infection, it can heal after just a few days. If bacteria are the cause, the symptoms may last longer.

In general, the duration and course of the disease depend largely on how consistently those affected pay attention to rest.

Complications of laryngitis

A severe course is to be expected with fibrinous laryngitis. Here the vocal folds are covered with fibrin deposits, i.e. with a whitish scab, which acts like an ulcer and makes the healing process more difficult. This complication of laryngitis can cause shortness of breath due to the severe swelling.

Without appropriate therapy, acute laryngitis can become chronic and last for several weeks. The risk of a repeat illness is particularly high if those affected continue to put a lot of strain on their voice and/or expose themselves to pollutants. Possible consequences are:

• Cellulitis/abscesses: Untreated inflammation caused by bacterial pathogens can progress further and cause cellulitis (purulent inflammation) or abscesses in the larynx. Signs include sudden chills and severe pain when swallowing, which can radiate to the ears.

• Reineke’s edema: If chronic laryngitis persists over a long period of time, edema often also forms. This is a fluid-filled growth in the so-called Reinkeschen space of the vocal cords. Experts therefore also speak of Reinke’s edema.

• Throat cancer: Long-term inflammation of the larynx also poses a risk of mucosal cells degenerating and developing larynx cancer.

Diagnosis of laryngitis

If symptoms last longer than two days, medical advice should be sought. As part of the anamnesis, the doctor first asks about the exact symptoms and how long they have existed. It is also of interest whether the voice is exposed to a lot of strain or whether pollutants are frequently inhaled, for example at work or through the consumption of nicotine.

To confirm the diagnosis, a laryngoscopy is sometimes performed. Two forms can be distinguished in this examination:

• indirect laryngoscopy: Here, the patient’s tongue is first carefully pulled out. The doctor can then use a small mirror (laryngeal mirror) to look at the larynx from above from the uvula.

• direct laryngoscopy: This form usually takes place under anesthesia and using a flexible endoscope. The tubular instrument is advanced into the upper larynx area and allows a detailed view of the larynx and mucous membranes.

If there is a suspicion that chronic laryngitis is involved, the medical professional can take a tissue sample from the larynx mucosa and test it in the laboratory. This can, among other things, rule out the possibility that there are malignant changes in the mucous membrane that indicate larynx cancer.

How can laryngitis be prevented?

Laryngitis often occurs in connection with colds. To prevent this, hygiene measures should be observed. This means paying attention to washing your hands regularly, especially in winter, and wearing mouth and nose protection if necessary.

A balanced, healthy diet rich in vitamins as well as sufficient exercise and sleep as well as good stress management strengthen the immune system and can also prevent flu infections.

To avoid chronic laryngitis, you should also avoid inhaling pollutants, smoking and alcohol.

Anyone who regularly has to put a lot of strain on their voice should pay attention to the correct vocal technique. A speech therapy practice or professional voice training can provide appropriate support.

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