What are the main causes of laryngitis. How is laryngitis diagnosed. What are the most effective treatments for laryngitis. Can laryngitis lead to permanent voice loss. When should you see a doctor for laryngitis symptoms.

Understanding Laryngitis: An Overview of the Condition

Laryngitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the larynx, also known as the voice box. This inflammation typically impacts the vocal cords, leading to various voice-related symptoms. While often temporary, laryngitis can sometimes become chronic, potentially causing long-term voice changes.

The larynx plays a crucial role in speech production, breathing, and swallowing. When inflamed, its normal functions can be disrupted, resulting in the characteristic symptoms of laryngitis.

Key Facts About Laryngitis

• Laryngitis can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-lasting)
• Most cases resolve without permanent damage to the voice
• Various factors can trigger laryngitis, including infections, overuse, and irritants
• Treatment options range from simple home remedies to medical interventions

Common Causes and Risk Factors for Laryngitis

Laryngitis can stem from numerous sources, ranging from everyday activities to underlying medical conditions. Understanding these causes can help in prevention and appropriate treatment.

Vocal Cord Strain

Excessive use or misuse of the voice is a frequent cause of acute laryngitis. This can occur from:

• Prolonged periods of shouting or screaming
• Singing at high volumes for extended durations
• Speaking loudly in noisy environments

Infections

Both viral and bacterial infections can lead to laryngitis. Viral infections, such as those causing the common cold or flu, are more common triggers. Bacterial infections, while less frequent, can also cause laryngitis and may require antibiotic treatment.

Irritants and Environmental Factors

Exposure to certain irritants can inflame the larynx, resulting in laryngitis. These may include:

• Cigarette smoke (both active smoking and secondhand exposure)
• Air pollution and chemical fumes
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Dry or dusty environments

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Acid reflux can cause irritation of the throat and larynx, potentially leading to chronic laryngitis. This is often referred to as reflux laryngitis or laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

Recognizing the Symptoms of Laryngitis

Identifying the symptoms of laryngitis is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment. While some signs are obvious, others may be subtler.

Primary Symptoms

• Hoarseness or raspiness of the voice
• Weakened voice or complete loss of voice
• Sore or dry throat
• Dry cough

Additional Signs

Depending on the underlying cause and severity, laryngitis may also present with:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Sensation of a lump in the throat
• Mild fever (in cases of infectious laryngitis)
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Is laryngitis always accompanied by pain? Not necessarily. While a sore throat is common, some individuals may experience voice changes without significant discomfort.

Diagnosing Laryngitis: When to Seek Medical Attention

While many cases of laryngitis resolve on their own, certain symptoms warrant medical evaluation. Understanding when to consult a healthcare professional is essential for proper management.

Red Flags Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

• Difficulty breathing
• Severe pain when swallowing
• High fever (above 103°F or 39.4°C)
• Coughing up blood
• Persistent symptoms lasting more than two weeks

Diagnostic Procedures

When you visit a doctor for suspected laryngitis, they may perform several diagnostic procedures:

1. Physical examination of the throat, ears, and nose
2. Review of medical history and symptoms
3. Laryngoscopy: A visual examination of the larynx using a specialized instrument
4. In some cases, throat swabs or blood tests to identify infectious causes

How does a laryngoscopy work? During this procedure, the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube with a camera (laryngoscope) through the nose or mouth to examine the larynx and vocal cords. This allows for a detailed view of any inflammation or abnormalities.

Treatment Approaches for Laryngitis

The treatment of laryngitis depends on its cause, severity, and duration. Most cases of acute laryngitis resolve with conservative measures, while chronic cases may require more intensive interventions.

Home Remedies and Self-Care

For mild cases of laryngitis, the following self-care measures can be effective:

• Voice rest: Minimizing talking and avoiding whispering or shouting
• Hydration: Drinking plenty of water to keep the throat moist
• Humidification: Using a humidifier to add moisture to the air
• Avoiding irritants: Steering clear of smoke, alcohol, and spicy foods
• Throat lozenges or hard candy: To stimulate saliva production and lubricate the throat

Medical Treatments

In some cases, medical interventions may be necessary:

• Antibiotics: Prescribed for bacterial laryngitis
• Corticosteroids: Used in severe cases to reduce inflammation
• Proton pump inhibitors: For laryngitis caused by acid reflux

Are antibiotics always necessary for laryngitis? No, antibiotics are only prescribed when a bacterial infection is confirmed or strongly suspected. Most cases of laryngitis are viral and do not respond to antibiotics.

Preventing Laryngitis and Maintaining Vocal Health

Taking proactive steps to maintain vocal health can significantly reduce the risk of developing laryngitis. Implementing these preventive measures can help protect your voice and overall throat health.

Vocal Hygiene Practices

• Avoid shouting or speaking loudly for extended periods
• Use proper breathing techniques when speaking or singing
• Take regular breaks when using your voice extensively
• Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day
• Avoid clearing your throat excessively

Lifestyle Modifications

Certain lifestyle changes can contribute to better vocal health:

• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Manage acid reflux through diet and medication if necessary
• Practice good overall hygiene to prevent infections
• Use a humidifier in dry environments

How does smoking affect vocal health? Smoking irritates the vocal cords, leading to inflammation and increasing the risk of laryngitis and other voice disorders. It can also cause long-term damage to the larynx, potentially resulting in chronic voice problems or even cancer.

Complications and Long-Term Effects of Laryngitis

While most cases of laryngitis resolve without lasting effects, chronic or recurrent laryngitis can sometimes lead to complications. Understanding these potential long-term impacts is crucial for early intervention and management.

Potential Complications

• Vocal cord lesions: Persistent inflammation can lead to the formation of nodules, polyps, or cysts on the vocal cords
• Chronic hoarseness: Prolonged laryngitis may result in long-term voice changes
• Vocal cord paralysis: In rare cases, severe infections or prolonged inflammation can damage the nerves controlling the vocal cords

Rare but Serious Conditions

In some instances, symptoms resembling laryngitis may indicate more severe conditions:

• Epiglottitis: A potentially life-threatening condition involving swelling of the epiglottis
• Laryngeal cancer: Persistent hoarseness can be an early sign of laryngeal cancer, especially in smokers

Can laryngitis lead to permanent voice loss? While extremely rare, severe or untreated chronic laryngitis can potentially cause permanent changes to the voice. However, with proper treatment and care, most cases of laryngitis resolve without long-lasting effects.

Special Considerations for Professional Voice Users

Individuals who rely heavily on their voices for their careers, such as singers, teachers, and public speakers, face unique challenges when it comes to laryngitis. For these professional voice users, even minor voice changes can have significant impacts on their work and livelihood.

Preventive Strategies for Voice Professionals

• Regular vocal training and technique refinement
• Implementing proper warm-up and cool-down exercises before and after voice use
• Using amplification systems when speaking to large groups
• Scheduling regular voice rest periods
• Maintaining good overall health and hydration

Specialized Treatment Approaches

Professional voice users may benefit from more specialized care:

• Consultation with a laryngologist or speech-language pathologist specializing in voice disorders
• Customized voice therapy programs
• More frequent laryngeal examinations to monitor vocal cord health
• In some cases, surgical interventions for vocal cord lesions

How can singers protect their voices during performances? Singers can protect their voices by:
– Properly warming up before performances
– Staying well-hydrated
– Using in-ear monitors to hear themselves without straining
– Avoiding speaking or singing over loud background noise
– Getting adequate rest between performances

By implementing these strategies, professional voice users can minimize their risk of developing laryngitis and maintain optimal vocal health throughout their careers.

Emerging Research and Future Directions in Laryngitis Treatment

The field of laryngology is continuously evolving, with ongoing research aimed at improving our understanding and treatment of laryngitis. These advancements hold promise for more effective management strategies and potentially new therapeutic approaches.

Current Areas of Research

• Gene therapy for vocal cord regeneration
• Advanced imaging techniques for early detection of laryngeal abnormalities
• Novel anti-inflammatory medications with fewer side effects
• Stem cell therapies for vocal cord repair

Technological Advancements

Emerging technologies are enhancing diagnosis and treatment:

• High-resolution laryngeal endoscopy for more detailed vocal cord examination
• Artificial intelligence algorithms for voice analysis and early detection of voice disorders
• 3D-printed implants for vocal cord augmentation

How might future treatments for laryngitis differ from current approaches? Future treatments may be more personalized, targeting specific underlying causes of laryngitis at a molecular level. Gene therapies could potentially repair damaged vocal cords, while advanced drug delivery systems might provide more targeted and effective relief from inflammation.

As research progresses, we can anticipate more sophisticated and less invasive treatment options for laryngitis, potentially reducing recovery times and improving outcomes for patients with both acute and chronic voice disorders.

What is laryngitis and how do you treat it?

Laryngitis is a condition that affects the vocal cords. In most people it will be temporary and there will be no lasting damage. However, occasionally, cases of chronic laryngitis can result in permanent problems with the voice, causing a hoarse and rasping sound that remains after the condition has cleared up. Because laryngitis can seem similar to many other conditions it’s important to understand what it looks like when it happens.

Laryngitis – the basics

This is a condition that causes inflammation of the voice box, the area around the vocal cords, and usually means a loss of voice. It could be caused by something as simple as a period of time spent screaming or yelling. A number of different conditions can also cause laryngitis, including acid reflux, and it may be triggered if something has been inhaled, such as toxic fumes. Laryngitis can also be the result of a bacterial infection and those will use alcohol excessively – or who smoke – also have a tendency to suffer from it.

Diagnosing the problem

For many people, laryngitis is not a problem that requires medical intervention. However, there are a number of key things to look out for that indicate it might be wise to get an appointment with a doctor or a specialist, including problems breathing, talking or swallowing or where someone has a very high fever. Any bloody saliva is a sign that medical help is required urgently. There are other symptoms that indicate laryngitis might be the cause of illness, including a dry cough and pain in the area around the voice box. Where medical help is sought, laryngitis is normally diagnosed via an in-depth examination of the ears, nose and throat. The appointment will include questions about symptoms, as well as the patient’s lifestyle and medical history. A laryngoscope may be used to look at the vocal cords while the patient is speaking.

How do you treat laryngitis?

• Resting the voice. This is one of the simplest and fastest ways to treat laryngitis.
• Increasing the moisture levels in your home, for example with a humidifier.
• Antibiotics may be required if there is a chronic infection.
• Lifestyle changes can be beneficial where laryngitis is being caused by habits such as smoking.
• Surgery. This type of medical intervention is only ever required where the condition has become chronic and there are complications. For example, nodules and polyp may grow on the larynx and may need to be removed with surgery.

Sometimes, laryngitis symptoms can indicate that there is something more serious happening to the body. For example, cancer can cause paralysis of the vocal cords. Laryngitis can also develop into the condition epiglottitis, which is considered very serious. Where this happens the flap of tissue at the back of the throat becomes swollen and this can affect how much oxygen is available for breathing. It will need urgent medical attention.

For many people, laryngitis is a condition that is uncomfortable but temporary. However, if there is any cause for concern it’s always worth getting medical advice. For any throat related issues, be sure to be in contact with us at Harley Street ENT.

Request an Appointment

3 signs your vocal cords may be damaged | Prevention

×

What can we help you find?

Refine your search:
Find a Doctor
Search Conditions & Treatments
Find a Location

Appointment
New Patient Appointment

or Call214-645-8300

MedBlog

Prevention

January 22, 2021

Prevention

Lesley Childs, M. D.

Otolaryngology

Dr. Lesley Childs uses a model to show where the vocal cords are located within the larynx.

Everyone at one time or another loses their voice or experiences hoarseness – such as when we have a bad cold, or the morning after singing at a loud concert, or cheering at a sports event.

While these conditions can temporarily damage our vocal cords, with a little care – such as vocal rest and good hydration – we should recover fairly quickly.

Sometimes, though, vocal problems persist, and that’s when you need to take action to avoid long-term or permanent damage. Here are three signs you should seek voice care.

1. Two weeks of persistent hoarseness or voice change

Hoarseness is a general term that can encompass a wide range of sounds, such as a raspy or breathy voice. While hoarseness often is caused by a cold or extended periods of talking or yelling, it also can be a symptom of a more serious condition such as a growth on the vocal cords, including polyps or cysts.

Many of these growths often can be treated through voice therapy, although surgery may be required. As with most medical conditions, early detection is key. If you experience a voice change such as hoarseness for two weeks or more, make an appointment to see a laryngologist. A laryngologist is an Otolaryngologist (ENT) who specializes in the vocal cords and care of the voice.

Another potential complication from the novel coronavirus is damage to your vocal folds and airway from extended periods spent on a ventilator. Dr. Lesley Childs discusses the risks and the potential treatments for vocal scarring.

Learn more

2. Chronic vocal fatigue

Vocal fatigue can result from overuse of the voice. We often see this in professional voice users – such as teachers, singers, and call center employees.

Just like your legs can get tired from running, your voice can get tired when you use it for a long time. Our voice therapists recommend that for every 60 minutes of voice use, you need 10 minutes of voice rest. Overuse can damage the vocal cords, and if you often find you have lost your voice by the end of the day or after an hour of singing, your vocal cords may be experiencing tissue damage.

A laryngologist will examine your vocal cords for growths or other conditions and may recommend voice therapy to learn techniques that reduce the stress on your vocal cords, and hopefully help to reverse any tissue damage. These therapy techniques focus on the fundamentals of voice production and re-balancing the vocal subsystems. Therapy is individualized to each voice user and his/her vocal demands.

Dr. Lesley Childs, a voice care specialist at UT Southwestern and a former professional singer, explains some of the ways we misuse and abuse our vocal cords. 

3. Throat pain or discomfort with voice use

If you feel like you have to exert a great deal of energy to produce your voice, that’s not normal.

During normal vocalization, only the vocal cords should move. However, sometimes we use the muscles in our neck to help produce sound, leading to muscle strain. You may not be able to see this in a mirror, but through a laryngoscopy, we can see the muscles on the inside of your throat straining when you speak or sing.

Again, voice therapy will help you learn how to relax these muscles during vocalization.

What to expect during a vocal care appointment

If you’re a professional voice user, we may recommend that you schedule a joint clinic appointment, which means that you will see a laryngologist and a voice therapist at the same time. We will take your medical history, perform an exam, including laryngeal videostroboscopy so that your vocal cords can be viewed while you are producing various sounds, and begin working with you on vocal exercises.

Voice therapy usually consists of one 45 minute-long session per week for four to six weeks. After just a few sessions, you should feel like you are producing sound in a more efficient, healthy way, but translating those skills into daily conversation takes practice and repetition. Stick with it, and your voice will thank you.

If you are experiencing chronic hoarseness, vocal fatigue, or pain while producing sound, request an appointment with a laryngologist or call 214-645-8898.

The Voice Center at UT Southwestern provides state-of-the-art care for patients with voice disorders and other conditions affecting the larynx (voice box), airways, and swallowing function. Patients include professionals who rely on their voices – singers, actors, public speakers, broadcasters, lawyers, clergy, and teachers – as well as seniors or anyone experiencing vocal problems.

Learn more

Prevention

• Bethany Agusala, M. D.

June 26, 2023

Prevention

• Zubair Syed, M.D.

June 19, 2023

Eyes and Vision;

Prevention

• Noy Ashkenazy, M.D.

May 10, 2023

Prevention;

Your Pregnancy Matters

• Heather Fisher, M. S.

May 9, 2023

Heart;

Prevention

April 17, 2023

Diet and Nutrition;

Men’s Health;

Prevention;

Women’s Health

• Megan Bollner, M. P.A.S., PA-C

March 30, 2023

Heart;

Prevention

• Ann Marie Navar, M.D., Ph.D.

March 13, 2023

Heart;

Prevention

• Mark Drazner, M. D.

February 15, 2023

Aging;

Diet and Nutrition;

Prevention

• Bethany Agusala, M.D.

January 19, 2023

More Articles

Voice Restoration – Betterton

People who have had throat diseases, surgery, trauma may need voice restoration . They resort to it when the voice disappears completely, or its characteristics change. To properly restore voice functions, you need the help of a qualified doctor.

Page navigation:

• What is voice and its restoration?
• Types of loss of voice
  • True
  • Spastic
  • Paralytic
  • Functional
• How and when the voice disappears
• Diagnostics
• Correct voice restoration
  • What to drink?
  • What is there?
• Voice restoration by cryotherapy at Betterton Center
• What not to do when you lose your voice
• How dangerous is the loss of voice?
• Voice Loss Prevention

What is the voice and its restoration?

Voice is the sound produced by the passage of air through the vocal cords. It is formed in the larynx during exhalation, and thanks to this, a person can talk. But when anything in this system fails, there is voice loss . In this case, steps must be taken to return it.

Voice Restoration is a set of measures aimed at restoring voice functions. It may include drug therapy, surgical treatment, various procedures and exercises.

Types of loss of voice

Loss of voice (aphonia) is divided into several types:

Each of them has its own characteristics.

True

This aphonia is associated with pathologies of the larynx, in which the ligaments vibrate incorrectly and stop closing. This happens when an organ is damaged as a result of an injury, or a tumor grows in its tissues. The problem is also common in people with thyroid hyperplasia.

Spastic

It develops when the tone of the laryngeal muscles is disturbed – they experience spasms that lead to a narrowing of the glottis. This happens when a person does not eat right, takes strong alcohol or works in hazardous industries. The mucous membrane of the larynx is irritated by chemicals, and this leads to spasms.

Paralytic

The main reason for this loss of voice is dysfunction of the lower laryngeal nerve, which is responsible for the functioning of the muscles of the organ. This happens when it is damaged during surgery, trauma, and also for other reasons.

Functional

Aphonia , which is the result of advanced inflammatory processes in laryngitis and other diseases of the larynx. Also, it can manifest itself with overstrain of the vocal cords from long singing or talking, due to hypothermia, stress.

How and when the voice disappears

To restore the voice, you first need to understand exactly how it disappears and why, which processes cause problems. When a person has a aphonia, the causes of may be as follows:

When loss of voice occurs, the causes of should be identified as early as possible in order to exclude them and prevent future relapses. This is done by a doctor who conducts a detailed examination.

Diagnosis

As soon as a person lost his voice , he should immediately contact an otolaryngologist or phoniatrist. He will analyze complaints, take an anamnesis and find out the reasons for loss of voice . Further inspection is carried out by visual and instrumental methods. Usually the diagnosis of is made after careful laryngoscopy. This is a modern informative method for displaying tissues of the larynx and vocal folds. It allows you to assess their condition, see inflammation, tumors, damage.

Sometimes an endoscopic examination is not enough, a more detailed diagnosis is required. In this case, ultrasound of the thyroid gland, MRI, CT, X-ray and other examinations may be prescribed.

Correct restoration of voice

The main condition without which successful restoration of voice is impossible is to maintain complete voice rest for several days. In general, when patients have loss of voice, treatment depends on the type and cause:

When a doctor is faced with a problem such as loss of voice, treatment is usually complex. It includes drug therapy, physiotherapy, and in some cases, surgery is required. Also, a good effect is achieved with special exercises, which help to restore the previous voice characteristics.

What to drink?

A person who has problems with voice formation is advised to drink plenty of warm water. Hot milk with honey helps especially well. It is also necessary to take special medicines for loss of voice , which help restore the affected tissues and relieve inflammation. But you can’t take tablets for voice loss and hoarseness on your own – only a doctor should prescribe them.

What is there?

Light protein food – boiled chicken, low-fat broth, yogurt – helps to restore voice characteristics. It is also useful to eat sandwiches with vegetable and butter – it lubricates the ligaments. another secret is eggnog, it helps the tissues of the larynx to recover quickly.

Voice restoration with cryotherapy at the Betterton Center

In some cases, voice functions can be restored with the help of cold. This method is not suitable for all cases, but there are a number of pathologies that are successfully eliminated by cryotherapy. These include chronic inflammatory diseases of the throat, tissue hypertrophy, polyps, nodules and other benign neoplasms in the larynx.

With the help of liquid nitrogen at ultra-low temperatures, bacteria are removed, pathological tissues are destroyed, and healthy ones begin to recover more actively. But it is important to understand that not every aphonia can be cured by cryotherapy. To understand whether this method is suitable for your case, you need to consult with the doctors of the Betterton Center.

What not to do in case of loss of voice

For those who want to have a successful restoration of voice after a breakdown , it is strictly forbidden to strain the vocal cords. You can’t even talk in a whisper, because there is a load on the ligaments. Also not recommended:

If the weather is cold, hypothermia should be avoided. More detailed recommendations can be obtained from your doctor.

How dangerous is the loss of voice?

Any violation of voice formation can become irreversible. For example, a woman sang in the choir and broke the voice of . And then, continuing to strain him with conversations and vocal exercises, she completely lost it. But this could have been avoided by contacting a doctor immediately.

When a person has aphonia, treatment is urgent and should only be handled by a doctor. Otherwise, there is a risk of forever losing the opportunity to talk. Especially dangerous is loss of voice in a child . The children’s voice apparatus is not yet formed and is quite fragile, so any violations are fraught with dumbness.

Prevention of voice loss

The importance of treatment and prevention of voice disorders cannot be overestimated. You can save your voice by following simple tips :

If you still happen to lose your voice , how to quickly restore it , the doctors of the Betterton Center know. They will conduct an accurate diagnosis and select an individual approach to treatment.

Make an appointment with a doctor:

Your name

Your phone

Select Center
Hearing Center Nyvky metro in KievHearing Center Obolon metro in KievHearing Center Darnytsia metro in KievHearing Center University in KievHearing Center in LvivHearing Center in Bila TserkvaHearing Center in Kryvyi RihTsentr Rumor in Kremenchug

Date of consultation

Problem summary

Or use our chatbots

Your data is protected by privacy policy.

I lost my voice at the crucial moment: how to urgently restore it

It’s hard to imagine our life without conversations. Therefore, the loss of voice becomes a difficult period of life for many. Patients of otolaryngologists often admit that they did not understand how much they talk until they lost this opportunity. And even worse, when the voice is lost at a crucial moment. For example, before an open lesson, an important presentation or report.

Loss of voice when the vocal cords are overstretched (similar to a sprain) or inflamed. The human voice apparatus can withstand heavy loads. But in representatives of some professions, the vocal cords are constantly working, in tension, and do not rest. Therefore, people in these professions must take care of their voice constantly so that it does not disappear for no apparent reason.

The voice loss risk group includes:

• teachers: teachers, kindergarten teachers, university professors,
• singers, including singing teachers, solfeggio,
• sales floor consultants, call center employees, receptionists in hotels, clinics, etc.,
• tour guides, guides, realtors,
• holiday organizers.

In addition, many other professions also require constant voice communication with clients or colleagues.

! It is important to remember that all people who once lost their voice for one reason or another are at risk.

The voice is not a cat that walks by itself. It cannot “disappear” just like that, there are always reasons that led to the fact that the ligaments either became inflamed or overstressed, and can no longer do their job.

The main causes that lead to loss of voice:

• Infectious inflammatory diseases: SARS, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis.
• Throat hypothermia: cold air conditioner, cold drinks or food.
• Long (more than 40 minutes in a row) conversations.
• Raised voices, shouting, loud or prolonged laughter.
• Throat contact with dust, smoke, harsh chemicals (e.g. household cleaning products).

Losing your voice can be a real problem. Especially if you need a voice for work, performances, etc. What should you do to get your voice back?

First of all, you need to shut up. Silence will provide peace to the ligaments. Just don’t talk, even if you want to check if the voice has returned. In no case should you whisper: whispering causes a strong tension of the ligaments, their condition will only worsen. Besides, it’s best not to laugh. Yes, sometimes it’s impossible to contain laughter, but try not to provoke yourself: you should not watch comedies or stand-up shows if you have lost your voice.

Gargle once with warm water (about half a glass). If your voice loss is due to dust or chemical irritation, rinsing will help remove the irritant. In the case of infectious diseases, rinsing can be continued, as they will relieve inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. However, in case of straining the ligaments, regular rinsing will have no effect, since the active substances will not reach the throat during rinsing.

With laryngitis and pharyngitis, the drug will help reduce inflammation Breather . This is an extract of pelargonium sidoides, which has antimicrobial properties and improves the immunity of the mucous membranes of the throat. Drop the required amount of the drug into water and drink.

Drink warm, non-aggressive drinks to get your voice back. Coffee and tea with lemon, sour fruit drinks will not work. But compotes, just warm water, chamomile tea or milk (if it does not cause indigestion) will help the throat.

Usually 2-3 days are enough for the ligaments to return to normal. However, if on the second day their condition does not improve, other symptoms are added (tickle, pain when swallowing), then you should consult a doctor.

Those who are looking for a quick way to restore voice at home or folk recipes for returning voice in a few minutes will be disappointed. Opera singers once drank a raw egg before they sang, but there is currently no conclusive evidence that eggs help to quickly return the voice. Rather, they simply “lubricate” the vocal cords, allowing them to stay hydrated longer and withstand more stress. But when the voice is gone, the egg is unlikely to help restore it.

If you are in a desperate situation but have a few hours to spare, try to get an appointment with an ENT. Write down your situation – this will help once again not to strain your voice at the reception. In some cases, doctors recommend irrigating the ligaments with special products that quickly reduce inflammation, as a result of which the ligaments return to their normal state, and with them the voice returns. The procedure will be carried out by the doctor himself, if he considers that it is necessary. However, keep in mind that it is not always recommended. Therefore, if you once encountered a loss of voice, then it is better to “harden” the ligaments in order to avoid repeating the loss of voice for any reason.

It is not difficult to strengthen the vocal cords and keep them healthy. If your work is connected with constant long-hour conversations, then it is better to adhere to these rules all the time. In other cases, you should follow the rules 3-4 days before the important moment in order to eliminate the causes of loss of voice.

Only warm drinks

Do not drink cold or hot, only warm! Banned carbonated and alcoholic drinks – they irritate the ligaments. It is best to take several small sips of warm liquid every hour (or more often) throughout the day. This will help the mucous membranes not dry out. In addition, such a drinking regime allows you to avoid bouts of thirst during long conversations, when a person immediately drinks a large portion of water, straining the ligaments. In hot weather, to moisturize the ligaments, you should drink more.

Breathe through your nose

When you breathe through your mouth, colder air enters your throat. In addition, when breathing through the mouth with a stream of air, dangerous microorganisms and dust can enter the throat, which are usually retained by the cilia and mucus of the nasal passages. Therefore, keep in mind that a runny nose is one of the reasons that provoke loss of voice. Avoid nasal congestion if you are prone to pharyngitis and other voice problems.

Do not whisper or shout!

Some people who often lose their voice start to “save” it and talk in a whisper. This cannot be done! Whispering tenses the vocal cords more than speaking at “normal” volume. In fact, there are very few situations in life when you really need to talk very quietly.

As for screaming, everything is clear here. The louder the scream, the worse the ligaments. If you need to raise your voice, look for alternatives. In some cases, a whistle helps to attract attention, in other cases a microphone is useful. And on naughty children, you can act with a reproachful or displeased look. By the way, psychologists believe that this method has a more convincing effect than constant shouting and at the same time, less traumatic for the psyche of children.

Eat the “right” foods

The mucous membranes of the larynx irritate hard and spicy foods. These are chips, crackers, seeds, dishes fried to a hard crust. Of the spices, all types of pepper, garlic, horseradish, mustard are of particular danger. Pickled vegetables contain vinegar, so they can also cause loss of voice.