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- What is laryngitis?
- Symptoms of laryngitis
- Causes of laryngitis
- Prevention of laryngitis
- Risk factors for laryngitis
- Complications of laryngitis
- When to see a doctor about laryngitis
- Diagnosis of laryngitis
- Conventional treatment of laryngitis
- Alternative/complementary treatment of laryngitis
- Living with laryngitis
- Caring for someone with laryngitis
Conventional treatment of laryngitis
Treatment depends on the type of laryngitis - whether it is acute or chronic:
Acute laryngitis
Acute laryngitis is normally caused by a virus, so this means that antibiotics cannot help as they do nothing to viruses. Treatment is based on alleviating symptoms:
- Avoid clearing the throat - this practice does harm to the throat and is especially irritating when there is a laryngitis infection so if the throat is irritated, have some fluid and this will help
- Drink plenty of fluids - ensure the throat is hydrated with diluted juice, herbal tea (such as diluted chamomile, peppermint or rose hip teas) and water will help to hydrate the larynx and help it heal more quickly
- Humidifier (or vaporiser) - a humidifier (or vaporiser) either with just plain hot water, that produces steam or with a few drops of eucalyptus oil may help to clear up symptoms by providing more moisture and reducing the irritation to the larynx
- Painkillers - the doctor will recommend you take painkillers as required for any pain in the throat area (such as paracetemol, ibuprofen)
- Rest your voice - not talking helps the larynx heal itself and this is the best strategy which is most beneficial in ensuring quicker healing and a return of the voice
- Steam inhalation - a few drops of eucalyptus oil or Vicks may help to clear up symptoms by providing more moisture and reducing the irritation to the larynx
- Stop smoking - smoking causes more strain on the voice and larynx and is especially not recommended in the case of laryngitis
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Chronic laryngitis
There are a number of reasons which cause chronic laryngitis and treatment depends on the cause:
- Allergies - antihistamine medication will be recommended for the allergies and when the allergies are healed, the laryngitis should also be relieved too
- Chronic bronchitis - the treatment for chronic bronchitis as the cause for laryngitis is the same as the treatment for acute laryngitis above
- GERD - people who have gastro-eosophageal reflux disease (GERD) will be advised to take medication to reduce the acid reflux and this will help heal the laryngitis symptoms too
- Irritants - it will be recommended to avoid any chemical irritants that have caused the laryngitis to help heal the larynx
- Polyps - people who have vocal chord polyps will be recommended the following treatment options to help heal the laryngitis:
- Painkillers - these are recommend as required for any pain in the throat area (such as paracetemol, ibuprofen)
- Rest - the only way to get the body to start to heal itself from the polyps and the laryngitis is through resting the voice, no talking at all
- Surgery - this will only be recommended as a last resort if other options have not worked, to remove the polyps if necessary
- Smoking - people who smoke will be advised to stop smoking in order for the larynx to heal. Smoking irritates the whole throat tissues and people who continue to smoke will damage their larynx and run the risk of serious complications
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< 8: diagnosis 10: alternative treatment > 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.
