Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx, the organ that connects the windpipe with the back of the throat. This disorder usually occurs due to a viral infection. Although the symptoms are often bothersome, this tutorial aims to describe how to relieve them and help you get rid of the infection faster.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Laryngitis
Step 1. Learn about the causes of laryngitis
It is usually due to a viral infection, such as a cold or bronchitis, but tends to resolve on its own in adults.
- However, in children it can worsen and lead to complications such as laryngotracheobronchitis (croup), a respiratory disease.
- In some cases, laryngitis is a consequence of a fungal or bacterial infection.
- Exposure to irritating chemicals can also induce this disorder.
Step 2. Recognize early symptoms
If you want to get rid of this inflammation quickly, you need to be able to recognize the symptoms as soon as possible. Patients usually experience:
- Hoarseness;
- Swelling, sore, or itchy throat
- Dry cough;
- Difficulty swallowing.
Step 3. Be aware of the risk factors
The ones listed below can increase the chances of developing laryngitis:
- Upper respiratory tract infection, such as a cold or other disease that inflames the larynx
- Excessive use of the vocal cords laryngitis is quite common among those in professions that require them to speak, shout or sing often;
- Allergies that cause throat inflammation
- Acid reflux, as it can irritate the vocal cords
- Taking corticosteroid medications to treat asthma, as the throat can become irritated and inflamed
- Smoking, which irritates and inflames the vocal cords.
Method 2 of 4: Treating Laryngitis with Drugs
Step 1. Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen
These medications help relieve pain quickly and are used to control fever.
- Typically these medicines are in liquid or tablet form.
- Follow your doctor's instructions regarding dosage or follow the directions on the leaflet.
- You can also ask your pharmacist to tell you which medication is best for relieving your symptoms or have them explain how to take these medicines.
Step 2. Avoid decongestants
These drugs dehydrate the throat and can aggravate inflammation in the larynx. If you want to heal quickly, you don't have to take them.
Step 3. Take antibiotics if your doctor prescribes them for you
When laryngitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe these medications, which often provide quick relief.
- Do not take them without consulting your doctor first, even if you already have them at home.
- Laryngitis is almost always caused by a virus, so antibiotics won't help you get rid of the inflammation.
- To speed up the healing process, your doctor may sometimes decide to give you an injection of antibiotics.
Step 4. Ask your healthcare provider about corticosteroids
If laryngitis is particularly severe but you need to recover your voice as soon as possible to give a speech, report, or sing, you can ask your doctor if these medications are suitable for your situation. they often offer quick relief from inflammation.
Corticosteroids are usually only prescribed in severe cases or in urgent situations
Step 5. Identify and treat the underlying causes of laryngitis
If you want to quickly and effectively treat inflammation that is not caused by viral or bacterial infections, you need to know the underlying condition and take the right medications for this problem.
- Over-the-counter medications for gastric reflux can relieve laryngitis caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- If you are concerned that laryngeal inflammation is linked to allergies, take antihistamines.
- If you are unsure of the cause of the inflammation, it is advisable to see your doctor so that he can diagnose and treat based on your symptoms.
Method 3 of 4: Try Self-Medication Techniques and Home Remedies
Step 1. Rest your vocal cords
To heal quickly, try to keep your vocal cords at rest as much as possible. If you talk, you strain your muscles and aggravate inflammation.
- Don't whisper. Contrary to what many believe, whispering doubles the stress on the larynx.
- Speak softly or write what you have to say.
Step 2. Stay hydrated to keep your throat moist
For fast healing, it is important to ensure adequate hydration and to keep the throat moist to relieve irritation. Drink plenty of fluids and try to suck on balsamic candies or chew on gum.
- When the throat is particularly sore, hot liquids provide relief. Try drinking warm water, soups, or hot herbal teas with honey.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol, as they can increase the dryness and irritation already present.
- You can suck on balsamic candies or chew on gum to stimulate more saliva production, thereby reducing irritation in the throat.
Step 3. Gargle
This remedy consists of holding warm water in the mouth, tilting the head back while using the throat muscles to make a sound; it is a solution that can quickly soothe symptoms. For best results and fast recovery from laryngitis, you can gargle several times a day for a few minutes each time.
- You can make a solution by adding half a teaspoon of salt to hot water and gargle with this mixture to increase saliva production, promote healing, and quickly relieve symptoms.
- Alternatively, you can make a mixture with an aspirin tablet dissolved in a glass of warm water for pain relief. It is important not to ingest aspirin; furthermore, you must not give this solution to children and young people under the age of 16, to avoid the risk of suffocation.
- Some people recommend gargling with a mouthwash because they believe it can kill germs and bacteria in the mouth.
- Another homemade gargling preparation is a solution in equal parts of water and vinegar; this remedy is thought to be able to kill the bacteria and fungi that can cause laryngitis.
Step 4. Avoid irritants like smoke
Smoking further aggravates inflammation, as well as irritating and drying the throat.
If you have laryngitis, you should definitely quit smoking and try to stay away from other smokers
Step 5. Breathe in the steam or use a humidifier
Moist air helps lubricate the airways and reduce inflammation, so you can breathe in the steam or turn on a humidifier to relieve discomfort.
- Turn on the hot water tap to fill the steam room and sit for 15-20 minutes breathing in the vapors.
- You can optionally breathe in moist air using a bowl of boiling water. To get more benefits, also put a towel on your head to retain the steam and prevent it from dissipating quickly.
Step 6. Try herbal remedies
Herbal medicine has been used since ancient times to treat sore throats and other symptoms associated with laryngitis; however, it can have side effects, especially when the products interact with other supplements or medications. While it is always wise to speak to a doctor to find out if you can safely use herbs to treat laryngitis, below is a list of the main ones that are believed to be effective in relieving your ailment.
- Eucalyptus soothes a sore throat. Take the fresh leaves to make an infusion or gargle. Do not drink eucalyptus oil, as it is poisonous.
- Mint works similarly to eucalyptus and helps treat common cold and sore throat symptoms. Do not give mint or menthol to babies and do not take the oil by mouth.
- Licorice is another remedy for a sore throat. However, you must speak to your doctor before eating it, especially if you are taking other medications such as aspirin or warfarin. It can also create adverse effects in pregnant women, those who have high blood pressure or heart, liver or kidney problems.
- The elm is also a plant that is believed to be able to relieve throat irritation, thanks to its content of mucilage that coat and protect the throat, although scientific studies on this plant are still limited. If you want to test its effectiveness against your symptoms, mix one teaspoon of powdered extract into 240ml of warm water and sip slowly. Try to hold the mixture in your mouth for as long as possible before swallowing it. Red elm also interferes with the body's ability to absorb drugs, so you should consult an experienced doctor and avoid taking it if you are taking other medicines. You must avoid it even if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Method 4 of 4: Know When to See Your Doctor
Step 1. Pay attention to the duration of the disturbance
If you are still experiencing symptoms after two weeks, it is worth going to the doctor for a visit.
He will be able to determine if your laryngitis is severe or if you have other conditions
Step 2. Be aware of the most dangerous symptoms and in this case go to the emergency room immediately
If you experience any of the symptoms listed below, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible:
- Increased pain
- Persistent fever
- Difficulty in breathing;
- Difficulty swallowing
- Cough with traces of blood;
- Difficulty managing saliva.
Step 3. Be especially alert to sudden changes in symptoms in children
If you are concerned that your child has laryngitis and you notice that they have any of the symptoms listed below, do not hesitate to contact your pediatrician. This could be a serious respiratory problem, such as croup (laryngotracheobronchitis).
- Increased saliva production
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Fever over 39.4 ° C;
- Muffled voice;
- A high-pitched sound is emitted during the inhalation phase.
Step 4. Observe how often you suffer from laryngitis
If you frequently suffer from this inflammation, you should talk to your doctor so that he can identify the underlying causes of the problem and recommend appropriate treatment. Chronic episodes of laryngitis could be the consequence of one of the following diseases:
- Sinusitis or allergy problems;
- Bacterial or fungal infections;
- Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);
- Cancer;
- Paralysis of the vocal cords due to injury, tumor or stroke.
Warnings
- If your laryngitis persists after two weeks, see your doctor so he can provide you with the right treatments and make sure your symptoms aren't caused by other diseases.
- Whispering creates more tension in the vocal cords.
