Laryngitis is inflammation of the voice box or larynx, which is an organ that connects the trachea (airway) and the back of the throat. Laryngitis is usually caused by a viral infection. The symptoms of laryngitis are often uncomfortable and this guide will help you relieve these symptoms and get rid of the infection more quickly.
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Method 1 of 4: Understanding Laryngitis
Step 1. Find out the cause
Laryngitis is usually caused by a viral infection such as a cold or bronchitis. In adults, these infections tend to go away on their own.
- However, in children, laryngitis can cause complications that trigger laryngotracheobronchitis, a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract.
- In some cases, laryngitis is caused by a bacterial or fungal infection.
- Exposure to irritating chemicals can also cause laryngitis.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms early
In order to treat laryngitis quickly, you need to be able to recognize the symptoms as soon as possible. People with laryngitis usually:
- Hoarse voice
- Have swelling, pain, or itching in your throat
- dry cough
- Difficult to swallow
Step 3. Understand the risk factors
The following risk factors play a role in the development of laryngitis:
- Upper respiratory infections such as colds, and diseases that cause inflammation of the voice box or larynx.
- Excessive use of vocal cords. Laryngitis is often experienced by those who are required to often talk, shout, or sing at work.
- Allergies that cause inflammation of the throat.
- Acid reflux which can irritate the vocal cords.
- The use of corticosteroid drugs to treat asthma can cause irritation and inflammation of the throat.
- Smoking can irritate and cause inflammation of the vocal cords.
Method 2 of 4: Cure Laryngitis with Medicine
Step 1. Use over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or paracetamol
These medications will relieve a sore throat and bring down the fever quickly.
- These pain relievers are often available in tablet or syrup form.
- Follow the doctor's recommendations or the instructions for use on the medicine package regarding the dosage.
- You can also consult a pharmacist to find out the best medication for your symptoms, or ask how to use the drug.
Step 2. Avoid using decongestants
Decongestants can dry out the throat and make laryngitis worse. If you want to recover quickly, avoid using these drugs.
Step 3. Use the antibiotics prescribed by the doctor
In the case of laryngitis caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be prescribed by a doctor. The use of antibiotics can often relieve symptoms quickly.
- However, do not use antibiotics that are at home without consulting your doctor first.
- In most cases of laryngitis, which is caused by a virus, antibiotics do not relieve the symptoms.
- The doctor may give antibiotics by injection to speed up the body's recovery process from the disease.
Step 4. Talk about using corticosteroid medications with your doctor
If you have severe laryngitis, but you need to get your voice back to normal to give a presentation, give a speech, or sing, it may be a good option to talk to your doctor about taking corticosteroid medications. These drugs can relieve inflammation caused by laryngitis quickly.
However, corticosteroids are usually only prescribed in urgent or severe cases
Step 5. Determine and treat the underlying cause of the laryngitis
In order to quickly treat laryngitis that is not caused by a viral or bacterial infection, you must determine the underlying cause, and use medications that can treat the cause.
- Over-the-counter acid reflux medications can relieve laryngitis caused by acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
- If your laryngitis is related to allergies, use allergy medicine.
- If you are unable to determine the cause of your laryngitis, consult a medical professional who can diagnose and develop a treatment plan for your symptoms.
Method 3 of 4: Trying Self-Care and Home Remedies
Step 1. Rest your vocal cords
If you want to recover quickly, try to rest your vocal cords as much as possible. Talking can cause muscle tension, making inflammation worse.
- Don't whisper. Contrary to popular belief, whispering will actually increase the pressure on the larynx.
- Speak softly or write down what you want to say.
Step 2. Get enough fluids and keep the throat moist
To heal laryngitis quickly, you need to keep your body hydrated and keep your throat moist to relieve the irritation. Drink plenty of fluids and try sucking on lozenges or gum.
- When your throat is sore, warm liquids can be used to soothe it. Try drinking lukewarm liquids, soups, or warm teas with honey.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can make your throat dry and irritated.
- Sucking on lozenges and chewing gum can help increase saliva production, which will relieve throat irritation.
Step 3. Gargle
Gargling with warm water in your mouth, tilting your head and using the muscles in your throat to make an "ahhh" sound can also provide some quick relief of laryngitis symptoms. To get the maximum benefit, as well as recovering laryngitis quickly, gargle several times a day for a few minutes at a time.
- Try gargling with salt water and teaspoon of salt dissolved in water to increase saliva production, promote healing, and relieve your symptoms more quickly.
- You can also gargle with an aspirin tablet dissolved in a glass of lukewarm water to relieve pain. Do not swallow this solution, nor give it to children under the age of 16 to avoid the risk of choking.
- Some people recommend gargling with mouthwash because it is thought to kill germs and bacteria in the mouth.
- Another solution that can be tried is a 1:1 mixture of water and vinegar. This solution is considered to kill bacteria and fungi that cause laryngitis.
Step 4. Avoid irritants such as cigarette smoke
Cigarette smoke can exacerbate inflammation of the larynx, as well as irritate and dry out the throat.
Patients with laryngitis are advised to stop smoking and avoid smoke from other smokers
Step 5. Breathe in the steam or use an air humidifier
Moist air can help lubricate the airways in the throat and reduce inflammation. So, try inhaling steam or using an air humidifier to relieve laryngitis.
- Turn on the hot water faucet in the bathroom until steam accumulates in it. Inhale this steam for 15-20 minutes.
- You can also inhale the steam from a bowl of hot water. Covering your head with a towel is often helpful to prevent the steam from dissipating quickly.
Step 6. Try herbal remedies
Herbal remedies have long been used to relieve sore throats and other symptoms of laryngitis. However, these medications can cause side effects, especially if they interact with other supplements or medications. While you should first check with your doctor about using herbal remedies to treat laryngitis safely, the following are some herbal remedies that are thought to relieve laryngitis symptoms.
- Eucalyptus can soothe an irritated throat. Use fresh eucalyptus leaves as a tea, or use it as a mouthwash. Do not drink eucalyptus oil as it is toxic.
- Peppermint is similar to eucalyptus and can help treat colds and sore throats. However, do not use peppermint or menthol on children, nor ingest the oil.
- Licorice or liquorice is used to treat sore throats. However, consult your doctor first before taking licorice, especially if you are taking medications such as aspirin or warfarin. Licorice can also affect pregnant women, people with high blood pressure, and heart, liver, or kidney disease.
- Slippery elm is considered to relieve throat irritation because it contains mucilago which will coat the throat. However, scientific evidence regarding the benefits of this herbal medicine is still limited. To test its benefits for your laryngitis symptoms, mix 1 teaspoon of the powdered extract in a cup of warm water, and drink it slowly. Slippery elm also affects the absorption of drugs by the body. So, discuss its use with a healthcare professional, and avoid taking other medications with slippery elm. You should also avoid this herbal remedy during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Method 4 of 4: Knowing When to Visit the Doctor
Step 1. Pay attention to how long you have had laryngitis
If you are still experiencing symptoms after 2 weeks, you should seek medical attention.
Your doctor will determine if you have a severe case of laryngitis or other disease
Step 2. Watch for dangerous symptoms and seek immediate medical attention
If you experience any of the following symptoms, we recommend that you visit a doctor or professional medical practitioner as soon as possible:
- The pain is getting heavier
- Fever for a long time
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
- Bleeding cough
- It's hard to control your own saliva
Step 3. Watch for sudden changes in the child's condition
If you suspect your child has laryngitis and he experiences any of the following symptoms, don't hesitate to seek medical attention. Your child may have a more serious respiratory disorder such as laryngotracheobronchitis.
- Increased saliva production
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Fever over 39, 4°C
- Muffled/muffled sound (also called hot potato voice, like people snoring when chewing hot potatoes)
- Make a high-pitched sound when inhaling
Step 4. Pay attention to how often you have laryngitis
If you have frequent laryngitis, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about this problem so he or she can determine the cause and develop a treatment plan to treat it. Chronic laryngitis can be caused by any of the following health problems:
- Sinus problems or allergies
- Bacterial or fungal infection
- Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Cancer
- Vocal cord paralysis due to injury, tumor, or stroke.
Warning
- If your laryngitis doesn't improve after 2 weeks, seek medical attention so your doctor can provide treatment and make sure your symptoms aren't caused by another health problem.
- The pressure on the vocal cords will increase as you whisper.
