What is Laryngitis - Health Conditions

What is Laryngitis?

What is laryngitis?

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx (or voice box) and usually produces an inability to talk, with a hoarseness in the voice.

The larynx is the entry to the trachea (windpipe) which joins the back of the throat (pharynx) to the trachea.

The larynx is made up of muscle and cartilage tissue and it also has 2-3 membranes across it - the vocal chords - which are responsible for your voice. Any and all of these membranes can become inflamed during a bout of laryngitis.

Most cases of laryngitis are not serious and will resolve quickly, although some cases are serious and require medical attention.

Laryngitis is either:

Acute - usually due to a upper respiratory viral infection and is short term
Chronic - usually due to other recurrent factors (smoking, GERD, allergic rhinitis, asthma, allergy, sinusitis) and is long term

Facts about laryngitis

Most cases of acute laryngitis resolve within a short time, as they are due to a viral infection
Most cases of acute laryngitis are due to a viral infection
Laryngitis is usually caused by a virus which means antibiotics have no effect in treating it
Smoking can cause chronic laryngitis
Straining the voice too much when singing can cause irritation to the larynx and result in laryngitis
Chronic laryngitis affects up to 20% of Western populations
The larynx is required for swallowing, breathing, coughing and creating sounds to make the voice
The larynx may have a special immunological role as it sits right between the upper respiratory system and the lower gastrointestinal respiratory systems

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Last reviewed: 10 November 2007 || Last updated: 3 January 2009

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NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.

Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.

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