Laryngitis

Definition of Laryngitis:

Laryngitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the voice box (larynx) that is usually associated with hoarseness or loss of voice. Hoarseness is having difficulty producing sound when trying to speak, or a change in the pitch or quality of the voice. The voice may sound weak, very breathy, scratchy, or husky

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The voice box (larynx) is located at the top of the airway to the lungs (trachea). The larynx contains the vocal cords. When the vocal cords become inflamed or infected, they swell. This can cause hoarseness, and may sometimes block the airway.

Hoarseness is usually caused by a problem in the vocal cords. Most cases of hoarseness occur with swelling (inflammation) of the larynx (laryngitis).

Hoarseness that continues for weeks or months should be checked by a health care provider. Although some causes are minor, more serious causes, such as laryngeal cancer are possible.

Common Causes:

The most common form of laryngitis is an infection caused by a virus, such as cold or flu viruses. It may also be caused by:

Allergies
Bacterial infection
Bronchitis
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Injury
Irritants and chemicals
Pneumonia
Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux)
Allergies
Breathing in irritating substances
Cancer of the throat or larynx
Chroniccoughing
Colds or upper respiratory infections
Heavy smoking or drinking, especially together
Overuse or abuse of the voice (as in shouting or singing)

Laryngitis often occurs with an upper respiratory infection

Several forms of laryngitis occur in children that can lead to dangerous or fatal respiratory blockage. These forms include:

Other causes include:

Aneurysms of the upper aorta
Breathing tube orbronchoscopy
Damage to the nerves attached to the voice
Foreign object in the esophagus or trachea
Ingesting a harsh chemical liquid
Puberty
Thyroid or lung cancer
Underactive thyroid gland
Vocal cord nodules
Weakness of muscles around the voice box caused by nerve or muscle disorders

Laryngitis - Diagnosis

Diagnosis is usually made by learning the history of a cold followed by hoarseness. The throat usually appears red and somewhat swollen. Listening to the chest and back with a stethoscope may reveal some harsh wheezing sounds with inspiration (breathing in).

In long-standing (chronic laryngitis), tuberculosis may be suspected. Using a scope called a laryngoscope, examination of the airway will show redness, swelling, small bumps of tissue called nodules, and irritated pits in the tissue called ulcerations. Special skin testing (TB testing) will reveal that the individual has been exposed to the bacteria causing TB

Laryngitis - Prognosis

Prognosis for laryngitis is excellent. Recovery is complete, and usually occurs within a week's time.

Laryngitis - Prevention

Prevention of laryngitis is the same as for any upper respiratory infections. The only way to even attempt to prevent such illnesses is by good hand washing, and by avoiding situations where one might come in contact with people who might be sick. However, even with relatively good hygiene practices, most people will get about five to six colds per year. It is unpredictable which of these may lead to laryngitis.

Homeopathic Remedies & Homeopathy Treatment for Laryngitis

Causticum. [Caust]

Hughes says that there is no better remedy in catarrhal aphonia than Causticum. It has dryness of the larynx and sensitiveness extending to the chest. There is hoarseness with rawness and scraping in the chest under the middle of the sternum, with a dry, hollow and unsatisfactory cough. It finds a curative sphere in the hoarseness of speakers and singers, which is worse mornings and much aggravated in cold weather. It is a paretic hoarseness accompanied by a cough which does not seem sufficient to bring up the phlegm, and in these cases the lower(30 or 200) potencies act well. In chronic hoarseness Sulphur will sometimes act when Causticum fails. Arnica has hoarseness from fatigue of the pharyngeal muscles, and a gargle of arnicated water will often refresh and strengthen the throat after long speaking and relieve the sense of thirst. The Causticum patient will have such a complete loss of voice that he cannot speak aloud.

Phosphorus. [Phos]

Evening hoarseness with great sensitiveness and dryness in the larynx is characteristic of Phosphorus. It tires and hurts the patient to talk; the voice is rough and hoarse, and the expectoration is scanty; using the voice brings on the cough. The soreness of Phosphorus is in the larynx , with Causticum it is under the sternum. In paralytic aphonia secondary to laryngeal catarrhs Phosphorus and Rumex stand pre-eminent. Farrington gives Ammonium causticum a first place in hoarseness associated with burning and rawness in the larynx and pharynx.

Aconite.Nap. [Acon]

In the beginning of a laryngitis in children there is no better remedy than Aconite ; there is fever, chilliness, dry skin and hoarseness and the patient will awaken at night with a croupy cough. Belladonna has dryness, constriction, and soreness in the larynx, talking is painful and the voice is husky and hoarse. Ivins claims that Ferrum phosphoricum, if given early, is the only remedy needed; it certainly seems to control the inflammatory condition and hold in check the progress of the disease. Meyhoffer mentions Aesculus as a very useful remedy in catarrhal inflammation of the larynx and pharynx. Houghton considers Ferrum phosphoricum as one of the greatest of temporary voice toners; he says that it enables singers to control the voice in its entire compass when suffering from hoarseness.

Hepar sulphur. [Hep]

Laryngitis in children after exposure to dry, cold winds; there is a croupy cough and hoarseness, worse mornings, the patient is very sensitive to the slightest draft, the larynx is painful and dry. It is also a remedy especially adapted to laryngeal troubles of professional singers, and brilliant cures have been made with it.

Sulphur corresponds to chronic cases, with morning loss of voice following suppression of eruptions; voice is hoarse, rough and deep. Kali bichromicum has dryness of the larynx; the voice is rough and hollow and the expectoration stringy.

Ivins recommends the 12X. Arsenicum corresponds to laryngeal tuberculosis, with ulceration and burning. Dr. Mitchell considers Hepar the most effective of all remedies in chronic laryngitis. Its action is prompt in the hoarseness of professional singers. Ipecac. Dr. Cartier advocates this remedy in complete aphonia from a cold or congestion of the vocal chords claiming it to be superior to Causticum in inflammatory aphonia. He uses the 6 or 3X potencies every half hour until the voice returns. It has a remarkable efficacy also in relieving hoarseness.

Spongia.
Besides the dry, harsh, barking, croupy cough and suffocative spells of this remedy it is useful in laryngeal phthisis with burning and stinging in the larynx and a sensation as if a plug were there, with great sensitiveness; swallowing is painful. Sambucus is useful for a spasm of the larynx occurring with laryngitis, and when oedema is present with difficult almost impossible respiration Apis will prove useful. Chlorine is, however, the specific for that dangerous condition known as oedema of the glottis. Drosera suits laryngeal phthisis with great hoarseness, excretion of tough mucus, paroxysmal cough after midnight. Both voice and cough have a deep bass trumpet sound. Verbascum is similar, but extends lower than the larynx. Iodine has great usefulness in the early stage of membraneous laryngitis; with fever, dry skin, dry cough, and great difficulty in respiration. It follows closely after Aconite.

Arum triphyllum. [Arum-t]

For the hoarseness of singers and orators there are a few remedies of great importance; among them is Arum triphyllum. It is useful when the voice suddenly gives out and goes to a higher key. A cracked voice from overuse and hoarseness. Selenium is a remedy frequently necessary to clear the voice; it has hoarseness appearing as soon as the patient commences to sing, or even after long use of the voice; a characteristic is expectoration of much transparent mucus from the larynx in the morning. Graphites has inability to control the vocal cords, the patient gets hoarse and the voice cracks on beginning to sing. a very useful remedy for singers. Argentum metallicum has burning and rawness in the larynx, worse from talking and using the voice, it is useful for an alteration in the timbre of the voice in singers and speakers. It has copious exudation in the larynx looking like boiled starch, which is easily hawked up. Benzoin IX was recommended by Dr. T. F. Allen for hoarseness accompanied by a sensation of rawness extending from the larynx to the pit of the throat, but not into the trachea. Mercurius solubilis. Two doses a day is frequently specific in hoarseness. Baryta carbonica has hoarseness, with great relaxation of the muscular structures of the throat.

Carbo vegetabilis. [Carb-v]

This remedy suits a painless hoarseness, particularly that which is brought on by exposure to damp evening air. It is, of course, worse evenings, though it may appear in the morning on walking, aggravated in moist, cool weather.

Eupatorium perfoliatum has hoarseness in the morning, with chest soreness and aching of the body; a soreness and aching of the body; a soreness in the larynx rather than a rawness.

Senega is another useful remedy for hoarseness; the throat is so dry that it hurts the patient to talk. It suits sudden aphonias and those accompanied by accumulation of mucus on the chest which is difficult to raise.

Gelsemium is the first remedy for aphonia from a laryngeal paralysis, or loss of voice during menses, and hysterical hoarseness.

Nux moschata has aphonia from hysteria or changing emotions. Opium has aphonia from fright and Platinum should be considered in hysterical aphonia as well as in any other hysterical conditions.

Plumbum in old cases should not be forgotten. Gelsemium is, by the way, of great value in laryngismus stridulus.

Natural Remedies for Laryngitis

Laryngitis can usually be treated with home remedies, including:

 resting your voice

 drinking at least eight glasses of water daily

 breathing humidified air

 sucking on lozenges

If laryngitis develops, drinking lots of fluids and using the voice as little as possible, by whispering or not talking altogether, can help. In addition, room humidifiers and hot showers can be of benefit. With or without treatment, laryngitis usually subsides within 7 to 10 days.

Laryngitis in children and chronic laryngitis in adults may be symptomatic of other illnesses and should be evaluated by a doctor or healthcare professional.

Laryngitis - Alternative treatment

Alternative treatments include aromatherapy inhalations made with benzoin, lavender, frankincense, thyme, and sandalwood. Decoctions (extracts made by boiling an herb in water) or infusions (extracts made by steeping an herb in boiling water) can be made with red sage (Salvia officinalis var. rubra) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium) or with licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). These are used for gargling, and are said to reduce pain. Echinacea ( Echinacea spp.) tincture taken in water every hour for 48 hours is recommended to boost the immune system. Antiviral herbs, including usnea (Usnea spp.), lomatium (Lomatium dissectum), and ligusticum (Ligusticum porteri), may help hasten recovery from laryngitis. Homeopathic remedies are recommended based on the patient's symptoms. Some people may get relief from placing cold compresses on the throat.

Natural Home Remedies for Laryngitis

Home Remedies From the Cupboard

Salt. A saltwater gargle helps heal infected and inflamed vocal cords and sore throats. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt to 1 cup warm water and gargle several times a day as needed. Be careful to use the correct amount of salt. Gargling with a solution as salty as the sea will only increase the irritation.

Vinegar. Viruses and bacteria dread an acidic environment, so why not make your mouth one big, albeit weak, acid bath? Gargling with vinegar, a weak acid, can help wipe out many infectious organisms. Pour equal amounts of vinegar and water into a cup, mix, and gargle two to four times a day. You can also gargle with straight vinegar, but some people find it too strong, especially at first.

Home Remedies From the Refrigerator

Lemon. Some folk remedies require you to suck on a lemon to cure a sore throat. An impossible task, indeed! Spare yourself the face-contorting agony and try a lemon juice and salt gargle instead. Lemon is naturally acidic and helps stimulate saliva flow. The salt increases the lemon's acidity, which in turn helps kill many microorganisms prone to weak acids. To make this gargle, juice a whole lemon into a bowl and add a pinch of sea salt (or regular salt). Mix well. Add 1 teaspoon of the concentrated lemon/salt mixture to 1 cup warm water. Gargle three to four times a day as needed. Also try hot tea with lemon, or even lemon drops, to keep your throat moist.

Home Remedies From the Sink

Soap and water. Laryngitis can be caused by a viral infection and is easily spread by hand-to-hand contact or by touching contaminated surfaces. Avoiding such germs is one of the best ways to prevent laryngitis. If you or someone around you has a cold, be extra vigilant about washing your hands with warm water and soap. Clean common surfaces, such as the telephone and door handles, with vinegar and a clean cloth.

Water. Keep the throat moistened and stay hydrated by drinking your daily amount of water (eight 8-ounce glasses per day). Fruit juices also fit the bill, as do warm, noncaffeinated drinks, which may feel extra-soothing on sore throat tissues.

Home Remedies From the Spice Rack

Garlic. Should you have a strong stomach and no social events to attend, try what the Amish and Seventh Day Adventists suggest for treating sore throats and viral infections: Suck on a slice of garlic. Garlic, when sliced or crushed, releases the antimicrobial substance allicin. Allicin kills bacteria, including strep and some viruses. Slice a garlic clove down the middle and place half a clove on each side of the mouth. Pretend the cloves are lozenges and suck on them. Use as often as necessary, or as often as you can handle garlic breath.

Ginger. Fragrant, fresh ginger can help soothe inflamed mucous membranes of the larynx. Try sucking on candied ginger if available or drink a cup of ginger tea. To prepare the tea, cut a fresh 1- to 2-inch gingerroot into thin slices and place in 1 quart boiling water. Cover the pot and simmer on the lowest heat for 30 minutes. Let cool for 30 more minutes, strain, and drink 1/2 to 1 cup three to five times a day. Sweeten with honey if needed.

Home Remedies From the Stove

Steam. Dry indoor air, so common in the wintertime, combined with an irritated throat can make you extra miserable. Start the day off steamy. Bring half a pot of water to boil, remove from stove, and place on a protected surface. Drape a towel over your head, lean forward over the pot, and breathe gently for 10 to 15 minutes. Be careful not to stick your face too close. Repeat in the evening before bedtime.

While laryngitis typically isn't a sign of any serious medical problem, you'll be better off taking care of it sooner than later, with help from the home remedies in this article.

It is presume these information may help you in treatment of laryngitis.