What is Laryngitis?
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the vocal folds and larynx (voice box). Laryngitis occurs in various forms from acute to chronic. An acute bout of laryngitis is often caused by a brief illness or respiratory infection, either bacterial or viral in nature. Voice production is directly affected with complaints of hoarseness of the voice and/or a sore throat. Chronic laryngitis is more persistent resulting in lingering hoarseness and/or alterations to voice production. Furthermore, laryngitis may contribute to further structural voice changes such vocal nodules or vocal polyps.
The causes of chronic laryngitis include:
- Phonotraumatic behaviours to the voice: this means vocal misuse or abuse whereby individuals continuously use their voice inappropriately. For example, yelling, excessive talking, throat clearing or straining the voice.
- Smoking: continual smoking causes dryness and irritation to the vocal folds. This leads to swelling and inflammation of the vocal folds.
- Alcohol: this is a drying agent which may irritate the larynx causing inflammation of the vocal folds.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD): this is a form of acid reflux where digested food/fluid backflows from the stomach entering the oesophagus. This backflow may also irritate the sensitive mucosal layers that line the larynx causing changes to how the voice sounds.
- Environmental factors: smoky, dusty or dry environments or irritants (such as industrial products) are suspect of causing chronic laryngitis and other respiratory difficulties.
Dysphonia is a term given to disorders of the voice. Essentially, the term dysphonia refers to the inability to produce sounds using the vocal organs. The most typical symptoms/complaints associated with vocal chronic laryngitis may include:
- Vocal fatigue
- The sensation of a lump in the throat or a dry throat
- A need to clear the throat excessively
- Excessive mucous in the throat
- A chronic cough
- Discomfort when swallowing
- A low pitched raspy voice
Diagnosis and Treatment
An Ear Nose and Throat doctor will diagnose chronic laryngitis. Voice therapy and improved vocal hygiene is the preferred management option for the treatment of chronic laryngitis. A speech language pathologist is able to advise an appropriate management plan. This may include reduction of vocal irritants, adjustments to vocal behaviours and regular voice therapy. In some cases, medications may be prescribed to decrease acid production in your stomach that may be aggravating GORD.
This article was written by speech pathologist Eugene Pillay. For more information about laryngitis or any speech related fields, make an appointment with our speech pathologists.
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