Sean Parker Institute for the Voice

What is laryngitis?

Laryngitis describes inflammation of the vocal folds, regardless of the cause. As a result, it is what doctors call a non-specific term, or a somewhat generic diagnosis. In the case of hoarseness that comes with a sore throat, cough and a fever, and lasts just a few days, laryngitis is probably an adequate diagnosis, as most such cases are viral in origin and will resolve with rest, hydration and other routine measures. Under certain circumstances, antibiotics may be appropriate, as determined by your physician. 

If the voice change does not resolve as expected along with the other symptoms of a cold or flu, a cause for the hoarseness must be determined. More than likely, it is not infectious, as the body’s immune system is equipped to react to this kind of infectious organism. The principal sources of chronic vocal fold irritation are acid reflux, allergies and cigarette smoke (secondhand included). It is also possible that a small irregularity of the vocal cord – like a polyp or a cyst – exists, and may not be noticeable without additional inflammation. This is sometimes the case in the person who notes that a cold “always goes to my vocal cords”. 

“Laryngitis” is sometimes used to explain persistent hoarseness. This is misguided not just because of the probable inaccuracy, but because hoarseness can be an early sign of a more serious problem. If there is a voice change that fails to improve for more than two to three weeks, the vocal folds themselves must be examined by a physician trained to do so. He or she should be able to give a more specific reason for the change and recommend treatment.

Laryngitis is not the same as hoarseness. When hoarseness persists beyond two weeks, especially without fever or other signs of illness, simple laryngitis is not an adequate diagnosis. 

What are the symptoms of laryngitis? 

Laryngitis generally produces hoarseness that gets worse with voice use. If the reason for the laryngitis is infectious, then there may also be fever and a sore throat, and perhaps a cough.  

What does laryngitis look like?

The vocal folds have tiny blood vessels that enlarge with irritation or infection, producing a bloodshot look. They are commonly swollen, with a dull, rough appearance that replaces their typical satin sheen. With a lower-resolution endoscope, like a flexible fiberoptic tool, this may not be apparent, and the folds may simply look pink in place of their usual white.

These vocal folds show signs of an early viral laryngitis, bloodshot in appearance with an excess of mucus.

Before (left) and after (right) treatment views of a case of bacterial laryngitis. Initially, the vocal folds are swollen, with redness and crusting. Pus is visible at the bottom of the picture. After a course of antibiotics, some inflammation remains, but the infection is largely cleared.

How is laryngitis treated? 

Initial measures to treat laryngitis are largely a matter of common sense – rest the voice and stay well hydrated. In most cases, this will be enough to shake off a viral infection. If there is a cough that produces a yellow or green colored sputum, or a coating in the back of the throat, there may be a bacterial infection that warrants antibiotics. Laryngitis that develops slowly, without fever, sore throat or other signs of infection, may represent irritation from other sources.

Most cases of laryngitis are treatable with medicine, and laryngitis by itself is not a reason for surgery.

It cannot be stressed enough that “laryngitis” is not an adequate diagnosis for hoarseness that goes on beyond two weeks. In such a case, the vocal cords must be examined to exclude another diagnosis. This is especially true in smokers, who have a high risk of laryngeal cancer.

Laryngitis – Cadillac, MI – Cadillac ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery

Laryngitis is a common medical condition characterized by inflammation and swelling of the larynx (voice box). The majority of cases are caused by common viruses, infections or overuse of your voice. Laryngitis is not considered a serious health concern.

Symptoms and Signs

Laryngitis may occur at the same time or a couple of days after you have had a sore throat. Once the infection has cleared up, laryngitis can persist for a few weeks afterwards. At times, laryngitis can be an indication of serious laryngeal cancer. The following symptoms definitely warrant a visit to a head, neck, and throat specialist:

• A sore throat accompanied by a fever
• Coughing up yellow or green phlegm (possibly bacterial sinusitis or bronchitis)
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty drinking liquids
• Previous history of throat and/or breathing problems
• Symptoms continuing for two to three weeks regardless of voice rest
• Unexplained loss of weight
• Discomfort or pain of the throat
• Associated neck swelling

Symptoms and signs of common laryngitis include the following:

• Hoarseness
• Sensation of having a “tickle in your throat”
• An urge to constantly clear your throat
• Low grade fever
• Congestion
• Cough

If your child only has hoarseness, either with or without accompanying symptoms, like a mild fever (under 100. 5 F), muscle aches, runny nose, nasal congestion or cough, their laryngitis should be treated in the same manner as an adult case. However, if your child has a high fever, sore throat, refuses to eat/drink and in the case of an infant has fewer wet diapers than normal (possible dehydration), you should take them to the emergency department immediately.

Some symptoms can be extremely serious and actually life threatening. In these cases, you or your child should proceed immediately to the nearest emergency room or call 911:

• Difficulty breathing
• Sensation that the throat is closing up
• Unable to swallow properly
• Drooling
• Can only breathe sitting in an upright position
• Whistling sound in the throat when breathing

Causes and Concerns

Typically, laryngitis results from a virus or using your voice too much. It can also develop from a bacterial throat infection. Bacterial and viral cases of laryngitis are quite contagious. On very rare occasions, laryngitis infections can be caused by more serious conditions like fungal infections, tuberculosis or syphilis. A patient with a persistent case of laryngitis should see head, neck, and throat specialist to rule out the possibility of a tumor, which could prove to be cancerous. Anyone who smokes or consumes alcohol is at a higher risk for throat cancers.

Solutions and Options

The majority of the time, you or your child can be evaluated by your doctor with a physical examination. He or she will concentrate on the throat, nose, ears and neck. In the case of your child, if they have severe symptoms, your doctor may send them for a chest and neck x-ray. A thorough examination of the throat may be performed with a small, lighted scope that is guided through the nose to the throat, after the nose is frozen with local anaesthetic.

This procedure takes a few minutes but it can provide important information concerning the condition of the laryngeal nerve controlling movements of the vocal cords. On occasion, a head, neck, and throat specialist might draw blood for a complete blood count (CBC) specimen. This would probably be done more in the case of your child rather than yourself.

If symptoms have only lasted for a few days or come on after overusing the voice, the main treatment is to try to rest the voice for as long as possible as well as drinking lots of fluids. If you or your child display symptoms of viral infection (i.e. low fever, cough, congested or runny nose), then you need to push fluids and take either Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) to relieve these symptoms.

You or your child should also try inhaling steam from a hot bath/shower or using a cool mist humidifier to help ease symptoms. Generally speaking, the above home treatments should cure or improve the laryngitis. If the laryngitis lingers, make an appointment to see a specialist. He/she may prescribe antibiotics if an accompanying bacterial infection is suspected.

Summary

It is extremely important to the overall health and wellbeing of your entire family to never ignore serious medical symptoms, such as persistent laryngitis. If you have some of these symptoms, our caring health professionals can offer solutions to you. Call today for an appointment.

Laryngitis: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Otolaryngologist for adults and children

Manevich

Igor Semenovich

Experience 28 years

Otorhinolaryngologist of the highest category, member of the European Rhinologic Society

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With inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx, laryngitis and associated diseases with sputum often develop, so many patients wonder what it is, what are the causes, signs and symptoms of the disease, how to diagnose and how to treat to avoid complications. The occurrence of laryngitis can be triggered by viral, bacterial or fungal pathogens. A disease of infectious origin is transmitted by airborne, contact methods or to the fetus in the womb during pregnancy. Forms of laryngitis in adults caused by allergens or professional activities are not contagious.

Introduction

Laryngitis is an inflammatory process of the larynx with sputum production, which is facilitated by various pathogens. Both adults and children of different age groups are susceptible to the occurrence of a pathological condition, especially babies with weakened immunity and concomitant diseases. The disease proceeds in most cases without significant complications, the process of complete recovery occurs in 7-10 days.

The acute form can develop due to respiratory infections, SARS, influenza, adenovirus infection. It can also occur as a concomitant factor in measles, diphtheria, tuberculosis and whooping cough.

Classification of pathologies of the upper respiratory tract:

• acute laryngitis manifests itself as a separate or concomitant pathology, the main signs are the primary manifestation and effectiveness of therapy, after which after two weeks there are no consequences and complications for the body;
• the chronic form can occur due to untreated pathology and inflammation in the larynx, upper respiratory tract. It is characterized by sputum production. The key factors of the pathological condition are smoking, which increases the volume of sputum, and the stay of the ligaments in constant overstrain.

In the absence of timely treatment of laryngitis in adults, the pathological condition turns into a chronic form and contributes to certain complications. Mostly they are associated with respiratory problems, since the larynx belongs to the organs of the respiratory system. The main complications include:

• bronchitis;
• loss of sonority and beauty of the voice;
• false croup – mainly occurs in children. Inflammation contributes to whistling and choking attacks;
• airway obstruction;
• mediastinitis – in the space between the parts of the larynx of an adult, inflammation quickly occurs, which often ends in death;
• paresis of the larynx – dangerous respiratory dysfunction;
• phlegmon of the neck – an acute purulent inflammation that affects the upper respiratory tract. It develops in the absence of therapeutic measures, is an indication for surgical intervention.

Symptoms and causes

In order to clearly understand the causes of laryngitis in adults and children, it is necessary to determine the pathologies that occur in the larynx, upper respiratory tract during the course of the disease. The muscles and cartilages of the larynx are covered with vocal cords, which, when properly closed, move smoothly and allow air to pass through, which contributes to the production of sound.

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the throat – the vocal cords. Due to edema, the mechanism of closure of the ligaments is disrupted, the lumen narrows, the amount of sputum increases, which can lead to suffocation and other complications.

Let’s analyze the characteristic causes of laryngitis:

• allergic reactions that appear due to various irritants and are characterized by regularity in the presence of irritants;
• infectious agents;
• prolonged inhalation of frosty or hot air;
• causes may be injuries of the throat and associated organs in adults;
• a common cause is regular overstrain of the vocal cords;
• with laryngitis, the further development of the pathology is facilitated by the inhalation of polluted air, as a result of which sputum separation increases.

The problem appears in the airways due to various external and internal factors. To determine the tactics of treatment and select the appropriate medications to eliminate the causes of laryngitis, the doctor must identify clear causes and symptoms, the patient’s complaints. Only the competent elimination of the characteristic causes and individual manifestations will allow you to choose effective methods of treatment for quickly getting rid of the symptoms of the pathology without complications and complete recovery.

The classic symptoms of inflammation are characterized by signs that can be easily identified not only by the doctor, but also by the patient himself, since such processes in the larynx have some distinctive characteristics. The main symptoms of laryngitis:

• violations of voice activity – the primary signs of laryngitis. The vocal cords are characterized by being inflamed, swollen, and the voice becomes hoarse. Pain is exacerbated by attempts to speak loudly or scream;
• With laryngitis, narrowing of the larynx contributes to breathing problems. Therefore, this symptom of laryngitis with difficulty breathing often develops into a false croup with severe complications;
• concomitant symptoms of laryngitis in adults are general malaise, loss of appetite, low-grade fever and chills;
• headaches.

The main symptoms for which the diagnosis is made are signs from the first two categories, the rest are concomitant only to confirm the disease.

The key manifestations of the causes of laryngitis are a feeling of dryness in the throat, perspiration and burning, tingling and other unpleasant sensations in the throat. Such conditions are also characteristic when the patient is ill with ARVI or influenza, but in this case they are more pronounced. Also, the patient may have a feeling of the presence of a foreign object in the larynx, pain. A common symptom of laryngitis is a dry cough that turns into a wet cough with a large amount of sputum. Basically, infectious causes of laryngitis lead to this course of the disease.

Laryngitis is characterized by subfebrile temperature, fatigue. The voice of patients with laryngitis may become hoarse, hoarse, or disappear completely. Depending on the causes of the pathology, at high temperature and other signs of complications, it is necessary to take timely therapeutic measures aimed at a comprehensive fight against the pathological disease of the respiratory tract.

Diagnosis of the disease: how it goes, what procedures are performed

To diagnose the pathology of the upper respiratory tract, it is necessary to examine the throat by a qualified otolaryngologist, who takes an anamnesis, prescribes tests, laryngoscopy or a biopsy of the affected area of ​​the larynx.

Pathology is diagnosed at the initial examination, then to confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to pass laboratory and biochemical blood tests, you can also do ultrasound diagnostics to see the presence of sputum in the larynx and upper respiratory tract. When blood is taken, a bright red tint of blood indicates its insufficient coagulability and the occurrence of inflammatory processes in the body. Often, in the presence of inflammation, the pathological condition is diagnosed with a biopsy in order to select suitable antibiotics.

In the presence of difficulty breathing and pain in the upper respiratory tract, the patient should immediately be checked by a qualified doctor. In the presence of minor symptoms and manifestations on the mucous membrane of the larynx, patients often confuse pathology with ordinary shortness of breath or a cold. Under such conditions, it is very difficult to carry out routine diagnostics and examination, it is necessary to check the current state of the larynx using a modern method – laryngoscopy.

This diagnostic method is carried out using a laryngoscope and allows the doctor to deeply examine the larynx by viewing through a backlit mirror. This diagnostic method is carried out to detect swelling of the throat mucosa and features of the location of the vessels. Basically, in adults with laryngitis, the following signs are revealed: overflow of vessels with blood, and the mucous throat with sputum, bilateral pathology in advanced cases. Laryngoscopy allows the doctor to make an unambiguous diagnosis, this condition can be cured with properly selected medications.

To determine the severity of the disease with laryngitis, examinations are prescribed by X-ray or computed tomography of the larynx, endofibrolaryngotracheoscopic method. These techniques are not basic and are assigned only if there are prerequisites and indications. In some situations, differential diagnosis is necessary to exclude oncology of the upper respiratory tract and tuberculosis of the larynx.

Doctors involved in the treatment of disease

Many patients wonder which doctor treats the larynx, respiratory diseases in children and adults, and is engaged in identifying the causative agent of the pathological condition. With pain in the throat, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, it is necessary to contact not a general practitioner, but an otolaryngologist.

A doctor who is directly involved in the diagnosis and treatment of laryngitis in adults is an otolaryngologist. To diagnose the main signs and make a diagnosis, you must contact a qualified ENT specialist in a polyclinic or private clinic. Experienced doctors with high qualifications and significant work experience in JSC “Medicine” (clinic of Academician Roitberg) are engaged in diagnostic measures and treatment in adults and children of different ages. An experienced doctor treats the disease on an outpatient basis with the help of effective medications, and in case of significant complications, appoints hospitalization in the hospital.

Methods of treatment

Modern methods of treating laryngitis depend on the symptoms, causes and indications, they are selected only after a thorough diagnosis and determination of the causative agent of the disease of the larynx. Since the course of the pathology occurs in different ways, the forms differ in the course and symptoms, laryngitis in adults in each of the forms has a different treatment. Therefore, we will consider the key principles of treatment, as well as what method is recommended to treat the disease in one form or another. Basically, therapy is carried out on an outpatient basis, with a complex and advanced form of the disease, the patient undergoes procedures in the hospital.

Acute therapy

Treatment of laryngitis for adults is prescribed medication and non-drug, depending on the characteristics of the disease, causes, symptoms and special indications.

Non-drug methods of therapy:

• if possible, complete restriction of voice activity in order to allow the vocal cords to return to normal. You can not only shout or speak loudly, but also talk in a whisper. In most cases, such a ban lasts up to two weeks. If the voice is a direct part of professional activity, after getting rid of the disease, it is necessary to visit a phoniatrist for periodic examinations within 2-3 months;
• phonopedia – measures aimed at activating and normalizing the vocal cords;
• physiotherapy – microwaves, phonophoresis and electrophoresis.

Drug treatment of laryngitis in adults in the acute form involves the use of a complex of drugs prescribed after the pathogen has been identified and an accurate diagnosis has been made. Features of the treatment of laryngitis with medication:

• antibiotic therapy is necessary in the presence of inflammatory processes in the throat, purulent exudation, high temperature. Also, antibiotics are used if there is no result from anti-inflammatory drugs within 4-5 days, and if the disease has spread to the lower respiratory tract, there is green sputum. An antibiotic is prescribed depending on the causative agent of the pathology in an adult after conducting appropriate blood and sputum tests from the throat;
• antihistamines to eliminate the causes of sore throat. This group of drugs is aimed at removing the swelling of the larynx;
• antifungal agents are used for fungal pathogens in adults, help to cure the disease with complex therapy;
• in the presence of green sputum, a strong cough, expectorants and antitussives are prescribed to remove sputum from the throat. They also relieve irritation of the mucosa. You can use mucolytics in the form of inhalations for adults, so they penetrate deep into the throat into the foci of inflammatory processes and act as efficiently as possible. Such inhalations in combination with other medicines allow you to quickly and effectively remove green sputum.

Chronic therapy

Features of treatment methods in adults in chronic form are the following goals:

• full relief from the inflammatory process that is present in the throat;
• voice restoration;
• preventing the disease from flowing into the formation of malignant formations in the throat.

During periods of exacerbations, antibiotic therapy is prescribed with drugs that are used in the acute form. Antibacterial drugs are used in a sharp inflammatory process, purulent exudation. Also, this method of treatment is used if surgery is required for the treatment of laryngitis in adults after the examination.

Antibiotics are prescribed exclusively by the attending physician, based on the symptoms, causes, indications and specifics of the course of the disease. In the chronic form, such therapy is required to stop the signs and symptoms of the pathological condition. To cope with the disease, reduce the frequency of exacerbations, the patient needs to lead a healthy lifestyle, get rid of bad habits that irritate the mucous membranes, respiratory tract, and throat.

Indications for clinical treatment and surgery

Basically, methods of treatment in a hospital are used infrequently, patients are sent to the clinic only in the presence of a neglected condition and complications that threaten the patient’s life and require immediate intervention. Conditions conducive to treatment in the clinic:

• severe swelling of the throat mucosa;
• extensive inflammatory processes, suppuration in the throat, epiglottis;
• the potential for the development of stenosis.

These pathological conditions can provoke respiratory dysfunction and lead to life-threatening consequences. Therefore, it is required to treat laryngitis in a hospital under the close supervision of a doctor.

Indications for surgical treatment of laryngitis in adults:

• diagnosis of abscessed laryngitis;
• development of purulent inflammation in the throat;
• constriction of the throat and impossibility of normal respiratory activity;
• lack of result from treatment with various groups of medicines.

In all these situations, it is necessary to perform an operation and apply modern laparoscopic methods of treatment in order to save the patient’s life and prevent the occurrence of malignant neoplasms.

Readings

With laryngitis, in order to cope with the disease, the following recommendations must be followed:

• general hardening of the body in order to increase immunity;
• quitting smoking, drinking alcohol;
• a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition and a balanced diet so that the body receives all vital vitamins and microelements;
• regular sports will be an excellent prevention, as they allow you to train the respiratory system;
• in winter, when various diseases are exacerbated, it is necessary to avoid crowded places if possible, since the cause that contributes to laryngitis is an increased tendency to contract viral diseases, influenza;
• carry out timely treatment of the throat, eliminate the causes and symptoms of diseases, undergo regular examinations by doctors.

By following these recommendations, you can avoid the development of laryngitis and other pathologies, since the body will independently reject pathogenic bacteria and infections.

Contraindications

Consider the main contraindications for laryngitis:

• smoking – this bad habit contributes to irritation in the throat, constant itching and the flow of dry cough into wet with sputum. Laryngitis in acute and chronic form involves a complete cessation of smoking, and this includes active and passive smoking;
• Refusal of alcoholic beverages, which also irritate the mucous membranes. With laryngitis, it is necessary to abandon all alcoholic beverages. In particular, in the treatment of laryngitis, you should not drink alcohol in parallel with taking antibiotics and other medicines;
• sedentary lifestyle and lack of training of the respiratory system, constant presence in rooms with polluted air. These factors must be avoided to prevent the development of laryngitis.

Cost of initial appointment, research, treatment

JSC “Medicina” (clinic of Academician Roitberg) employs highly qualified doctors who can make an accurate diagnosis and effectively treat laryngitis using modern methods and drugs, regardless of the stage and course. The price of an initial appointment with an otolaryngologist in a clinic for laryngitis is indicated in the table below, administrators can orientate in more detail about prices by phone or at the clinic when making an appointment with a doctor.

Detailed prices for treatment and examination are indicated in the price list posted on the website of our clinic. The cost of treatment depends on the stage, characteristics of the course of laryngitis, the presence of concomitant diseases and complications. In the presence of temperature, green sputum, we are talking about an advanced or chronic stage of the pathology, therefore, in some cases, treatment in the hospital of the clinic may be required. Basically, with laryngitis, the doctor prescribes medication, after which it is necessary to come to a second appointment for a doctor’s examination, re-testing and confirmation of recovery.

Benefits of treatment at the clinic JSC “Medicina”

The modern clinic of JSC “Medicina” in Moscow is a multidisciplinary medical institution, where there is a hospital, modern equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. Patients can have no doubts about the doctors of the clinic, since they all have the appropriate certificates, many of them have been trained and trained abroad, therefore, they use modern technologies and effective methods of treating laryngitis and other pathological conditions in the treatment of patients.

The undoubted advantage of the clinic is cooperation with insurance companies, which makes the process of laryngitis treatment less expensive. When staying in a hospital, patients are provided with comfortable wards with all amenities.

Turning to our multidisciplinary medical center, each patient receives an individual consultation with a doctor and high-quality treatment, the appointment of an effective treatment regimen for laryngitis. Doctors are focused on effective treatment, therefore they prescribe effective modern medicines and procedures in order to restore voice activity in a short time and save the patient from fever, sputum production during laryngitis, and other painful sensations.

Laryngitis: symptoms, complications, diagnosis, treatment

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Laryngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the larynx and vocal cords caused by a cold or an infectious disease. Inflammation has an acute or chronic course and is characterized by severe symptoms: pain, dryness, sensation of a lump in the throat, bouts of “barking” cough, hoarseness or loss of voice.

Symptoms of laryngitis

Causes

Complications

Laryngitis begins with a sharp intense pain, itching and sensation of a “lump” in the throat. It is difficult and painful for the patient to speak, the voice becomes hoarse. Against the background of hyperemia of the larynx, difficulties may arise with swallowing and breathing. As the disease develops, symptoms of intoxication appear: headache, fever, chills, weakness. Inflammation is accompanied by convulsive hysterical cough, which does not bring relief, in which a large amount of sputum is separated, sometimes with impurities of pus.

Inflammation of the larynx most often occurs as a complication of a viral or catarrhal disease, or an infectious disease: scarlet fever, whooping cough, measles, tuberculosis, staphylococcal, streptococcal infections, etc. Laryngitis rarely develops in isolation, usually inflammation of the larynx occurs against the background of diseases of other ENT organs: rhinitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis or bronchitis.

Prolonged inhalation of polluted air, chemicals, smoking, alcohol abuse, overexertion of the vocal cords and gastroesophageal reflux, etc. can provoke inflammation. The most dangerous is allergic laryngitis, as a result of which pathological edema and destruction of the respiratory tract can occur.

Pathology can be caused by contact with infected infectious diseases, trauma or damage to the larynx, surgical intervention on the respiratory system. Often inflammation occurs when prolonged exhalation of cold air or the use of cold foods or drinks, which often happens in children and adults on hot days.

With the development of pathology, the mucosa swells, which is very dangerous in childhood due to the small lumen of the larynx. This is fraught with the development of false croup in children (obstruction of the upper respiratory tract). If there is no adequate therapy, the disease can go into a chronic form with constant exacerbations, or dangerous complications.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made by an otolaryngologist based on the data of the interview, examination (laryngoscopy) and examination of the patient. During the examination, pathological changes in the mucous membrane of the larynx are revealed – inflammation, swelling, redness. The results of laboratory studies indicate the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. Analysis of a smear from the larynx allows you to identify the cause of laryngitis.

Treatment of laryngitis at the Gaide Clinic

Treatment of acute laryngitis takes 7-10 days and does not cause complications. Treatment procedures will vary depending on the cause of the disease. All patients, and especially children, are shown bed rest, complete rest of the vocal cords, plenty of warm drinks, gargling, inhalations. Local preparations are prescribed, with the bacterial nature of the disease – antibiotics, with allergies – antihistamines, with a strong cough – antitussive drugs and agents that increase sputum discharge.