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. 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 can also indicate epiglottitis, an inflammation of the tissue that acts as a lid epiglottis to cover the windpipe trachea , which can be life-threatening for children and adults.
Most cases of laryngitis are temporary and improve after the underlying cause gets better. Causes of acute laryngitis include:. 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. Chronic laryngitis can be caused by:. In some cases of laryngitis caused by infection, the infection may spread to other parts of the respiratory tract.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Warm water helps salt dissolve. Gargle with the solution then spit it out. Do not swallow it. Repeat as often as you like. This is not suitable for younger children. If you have chronic hoarseness, your doctor may review your medical history and symptoms.
He or she may want to listen to your voice and examine your vocal cords, and he or she may refer you to an ear, nose and throat specialist. Acute laryngitis often gets better on its own within a week or so. Self-care measures, such as voice rest, drinking fluids and humidifying your air, also can help improve symptoms. Chronic laryngitis treatments are aimed at treating the underlying causes, such as heartburn, smoking or excessive use of alcohol.
Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Some self-care methods and home treatments may relieve the symptoms of laryngitis and reduce strain on your voice:.
You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a pediatrician. You may be referred to a doctor trained in ear, nose and throat disorders. The vocal cords are the vibrating elastic bands inside the larynx that produce your voice. Some hoarseness may occur naturally with age as your vocal cords loosen and grow thinner. The main symptom of laryngitis is hoarseness. Your voice may sound raspy, be deeper than normal, or break now and then.
You may lose your voice completely. Other symptoms may include a dry or sore throat, coughing, and trouble swallowing. More severe symptoms may mean there is another problem. A doctor can identify laryngitis by doing a physical examination that will probably include feeling your neck for sensitive areas or lumps and checking your nose, mouth, and throat.
If you have voice problems and hoarseness that don't have an obvious cause and that last longer than 2 weeks, your doctor may refer you to a specialist otolaryngologist. The way your vocal cords look and the sound of your voice will help the specialist find out if your laryngitis will go away on its own or if you need treatment. With most cases of laryngitis, home treatment is all that you need. If acid reflux GERD is causing your laryngitis, you may need to take steps to reduce the reflux.
Chronic laryngitis may need more treatment. For example, if you keep getting laryngitis because of a problem with the way you talk or sing, you may need speech training. This can help you change habits that can cause laryngitis.
0コメント