Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx . The vocal cords (which vibrate to produce sound) are in the larynx. Most of the causes of laryngitis, such as common viruses or using your voice too much, are not serious. Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx and is a common condition of the throat Symptoms are an unnatural change of voice, such as hoarseness, or even loss of voice that develops within hours to a day or so. Normally your vocal cords open and close smoothly, forming sounds through their movement and vibration. Fever, a general feeling of illness (malaise), difficulty in swallowing, and a sore throat may occur in severe infections. Laryngitis may be acute or chronic. Acute laryngitis occurs suddenly and lasts no more than a few days. Laryngitis is chronic if the hoarseness in your throat lasts for a long time. They swell, causing distortion of the sounds produced by air passing over them. As a result, your voice sounds hoarse. In some cases of laryngitis, your voice can become so faint as to be undetectable. Laryngitis may be short-lived (acute) or long-lasting (chronic). Although acute laryngitis usually is nothing more than an irritation and inflammation from a virus, persistent hoarseness can signal a more serious problem.

The larynx, or voice box, joins the back of the throat to the windpipe. It causes hoarseness. Excessive use of the voice, an allergic reaction, and inhalation of irritants such as cigarette smoke can cause short-lived (acute) or persistent (chronic) laryngitis. The throat may tickle or feel raw, and a person may have a constant urge to clear the throat. Sometimes a doctor looks down the throat with a mirror or a thin, flexible viewing tube, which shows some reddening and sometimes some swelling of the lining of the larynx. Chronic laryngitis is often due to persistent acute laryngitis and commonly affects smokers. Because cancer of the larynx may cause hoarseness, a person whose symptoms persist more than a few weeks should be evaluated for cancer (see Nose and Throat Cancers: Laryngeal Cancer ). Treatment of viral laryngitis depends on the symptoms. Resting the voice (by not speaking), drinking extra fluids, and inhaling steam relieve symptoms and help healing. Treating bronchitis, if present, may improve the laryngitis. An antibiotic is given only for infection caused by bacteria.

Causes of Laryngitis

The common Causes of Laryngitis :

An upper respiratory infection, especially a cold or flu.
Allergies
Exposure to irritants, such as smoke or chemicals.
Straining or overusing the voice, such as by prolonged loud talking, shouting, cheering, or singing.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) . This is called reflux laryngitis.

Symptoms of Laryngitis

Some Symptoms of Laryngitis :

Recent or current upper respiratory infection
a headache,
Hoarseness
Fever
difficulty speaking,
an irritating cough, and
needing to clear the throat excessively.
a hoarse voice,
Dry cough

Treatment of Laryngitis

Ibuprofen and aspirin may help alleviate fever and some of the discomfort associated with laryngitis.
If the doctor is concerned about a bacterial infection causing the laryngitis, then he or she will prescribe a course of antibiotics.
Avoid irritants such as smoke and pollution. Do not smoke.
It may be necessary to place a breathing tube into your throat in order to breathe for you (the procedure is called intubation).
Drink warm liquids such as tea or a honey-lemon drink.
Avoid airborne irritants such as smoke and allergens .
Humidifiers and warm showers can also help alleviate some symptoms.
Vocal therapy may help some people especially those at risk of permanently damaging their voice.
Try to rest your voice and avoid shouting, singing, talking or whispering for long periods. If you overuse your voice when the vocal cords are inflamed, it may make the inflammation worse and take longer for your normal voice to return.

Bowel & Stomach Diseases

Appendicitis
Barett's Oesophagus
Coeliac Disease
Crohn's Disease

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Angina
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Arrhythmias
Atrial Fibrillation

Infectious Diseases

Bacterial Vaginosis
Bird Flu
Boils
Cellulitis
Chicken Pox
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Women Diseases

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Mental Health

Anorexia Nervosa
Bipolar Affective Disorder
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Dementia
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Schizophrenia

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