Laryngitis

Disease pathophysiology: Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box (larynx) from overuse, irritation or infection. It causes hoarse voice or temporary complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the vocal folds (vocal cords). Dysphonia is the medical term for a vocal disorder, of which laryngitis is one cause. Laryngitis can be short-term or long-lasting (chronic). Most of the time, it comes on quickly and lasts no more than 2 weeks.

Laryngitis can be caused by following reasons Colds or the flu. This is the most common cause, Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Overuse of your voice, such as cheering at a sports event, Irritation, such as from allergies or smoke, etc. Treatment: The cause of laryngitis is typically a viral infection, and not bacterial, antibiotics usually won't help. If there's an urgent need for immediate treatment. Laryngitis can be treated by giving antibiotics and corticosteroids. It can also be treated by resting our voice, drinking lots of liquid, sucking of lozenges and breathing humidified air.

The techniques that are used to diagnose laryngitis are laryngoscopy and biopsy. Using menthol inhalation and air humidifiers, gargling with a mouthwash of warm, salty water or an over-the-counter solution, or sucking lozenges, taking painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, not smoking and avoiding smoky, dry or dusty environments. Statistics: Patients treated for posterior laryngitis at consultation at the ear-, nose- and throat clinic during 2000-2008 were contacted by mail. The letter contained questionnaires addressing the current symptoms and medication, and the HRQOL 36-item short-form questionnaire (SF-36).