Laryngitis is a painful throat condition in which inflammation occurs in the larynx or voice box. Sufferers of laryngitis may experience extreme hoarseness and partial or full voice loss. There are typically several different types of laryngitis remedies, however, that can help in the treatment of the condition. These laryngitis remedies can include, resting the voice, adding moisture to the air or, in some extreme cases, surgery.
Although the most popular laryngitis remedies are typically resting the voice and treating the existing symptoms like a flu or cold, there are other treatments that individuals can try that may ease their symptoms and kill throat infections. Gargling with half a teaspoon of salt mixed into a warm cup of water is perhaps the best-known home remedy to soothe the throat. A mixture of equal parts water and vinegar can also provide some relief and assist in killing certain types of infections. Individuals should gargle with one of these mixtures at least four or five times per day until their voices return to normal.
If the symptoms of laryngitis last for more than two weeks or go away and repeatedly return, the classification of laryngitis may change from short-term to chronic. The symptoms of both short-term and chronic laryngitis are the same and may include a raspy voice, sore throat or, in some instances, trouble with swallowing. While having colds or flu infections are usually the most common causes for laryngitis, acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may also cause this type of inflammation. Overuse of the voice and throat irritation from chemicals, allergies or smoke are other factors that can produce this type of condition.
Diagnosis for laryngitis typically includes a physical exam. The doctor will initially feel the patient’s throat and neck to check for lumps or sensitive areas. She will then typically examine the inside of the mouth, nose and throat to see if there is visible inflammation. Doctors may also question patients as to when the symptoms first appeared and if anything significant occurred around the time that the laryngitis began.
In most cases, the doctor will typically recommend a combination of gargling and voice rest as the best laryngitis remedies. If the laryngitis continues to return, however, speech therapy training and even surgery are often suggested options for patients who have the chronic form of the condition. Speech training can help to change the individual’s voice habits that continuously cause the laryngitis, while surgery may become necessary when damage from polyps or constant sores appear on the larynx.
