Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice
box (larynx) from overuse, irritation or infection.
Inside the larynx are your vocal cords — two
folds of mucous membrane covering muscle and cartilage. Normally, your vocal
cords open and close smoothly, forming sounds through their movement and
vibration.
But in laryngitis, your vocal cords become
inflamed or irritated. This swelling causes 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 almost undetectable.
Laryngitis may be short-lived (acute) or long
lasting (chronic). Most cases of laryngitis are triggered by a temporary viral
infection or vocal strain and aren't serious. Persistent hoarseness can
sometimes signal a more serious underlying medical condition.
Symptoms
In most cases laryngitis symptoms last less
than a couple of weeks and are caused by something minor, such as a virus. Less
often, laryngitis symptoms are caused by something more serious or long
lasting. Laryngitis signs and symptoms can include:
- Hoarseness
- Weak voice or voice loss
- Tickling sensation and rawness of your throat
- Sore throat
- Dry throat
- Dry cough
Causes
Most cases of laryngitis are temporary and
improve after the underlying cause gets better. Causes of acute (Normal) laryngitis
include:
- Viral infections similar to those that cause a cold
- Vocal strain, caused by yelling or overusing your voice
- Bacterial infections, such as diphtheria, although this is rare, in large part due to increasing rates of vaccination
- Inhaled irritants, such as chemical fumes, allergens or smoke
- Acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Chronic sinusitis
- Excessive alcohol use
- Habitual overuse of your voice (such as with singers or cheerleaders)
- Smoking
Remedies
for Laryngitis
1. Apple
Cider Vinegar
The acidic
and antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar help one get rid of the
infection and swelling quickly and efficiently, thereby treat the condition
permanently.
- Mix ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and 2
tablespoons of honey. Consume it multiple times a day. You can add ¼ cup
of lukewarm water to it as well, as per your convenience.
- Alternatively, dilute apple cider
vinegar in 50% water and use it to gargle 4-5 times a day. It prevents the
growth of bacteria and virus in the throat.
2. Salt
Water Gargle
Some people
believe that warm saline water is good for gargles during laryngitis. To
prepare, dissolve ½ teaspoon salt in a glass of lukewarm water. Gargle at least
4-5 times a day. Salt has antibacterial properties. Hence, this will kill
bacteria and viruses, as well as ease the soreness and swelling. While
gargling, try to take the salt water as far back into your throat as possible,
so that, it touches the larynx which is where the actual healing is required.
Retain the water in your throat as long as you can and do not drink or eat
anything for half an hour after gargling.
- Gargle with turmeric or Listerine in
lukewarm water.
Note- In
some cases, salt, turmeric and Listerine might be harmful. So, consult your
doctor before gargling with any of these elements.
3.
Turmeric
Add ½
teaspoon of turmeric in a glass of milk. Consume it 2-3 times a day. It
relieves soreness and inflammation of throat.
4.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash is
good for you, as it helps you get rid of the bacteria and virus present in your
mouth and throat, thus, alleviate laryngitis.
5. Honey
You can
consume spoonful of honey 4 times a day at regular intervals. It eases pain and
inflammation in the throat. Since it has antibacterial properties, it eases the
infection as well. It soothes and clears mucus blockages in the throat.
6.
Cinnamon
Add 1
teaspoon of cinnamon powder and 3 teaspoons of honey in boiling water for 10
minutes. Consume this thrice a day for the best results. Cinnamon has
anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties which cures
laryngitis quickly.
7. Clove
Blend four
drops of clove oil and 1 teaspoon of honey properly. Consume this thrice a day.
Clove provides the required warmth to the throat. It consists of antioxidants,
anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. It alleviates infection and,
simultaneously, soothes the throat.
8.
Raisins
Boil ¼ cup
of raisins in 1 cup of water. Consume this mixture 3-4 times a day.
9. Lemon
Juice or Lemon Tea
Lemon juice
and lemon tea are also beneficial for larynx. A combination of honey, a few
drops of lemon juice and lukewarm water will help you get rid of the bacteria
and viruses.
- Lemon juice can also be used to
gargle. Mix a few drops of lemon juice in lukewarm water. Dissolve a pinch
of salt in it.
- Mix ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a
glass of lemon juice. Consume it 3-4 times a day.
Note – Some
people consider that lemon has acidic properties which make it good to fight
against bacterial infections and germs. It also increases the amount of saliva
produced in mouth which, in turn, ensures that throat is hydrated. But some
people dissuade from consuming any kind of sour thing including lemon when you
are suffering from laryngitis or sore throat. So, you can ask your physician or
healthcare professional before trying any remedy associated to lemon.
10. Green
Tea
Green tea is
another excellent remedy to alleviate the symptoms of laryngitis.
11.
Chamomile, Sage and Peppermint Tea
Boil a
handful of chamomile/sage/peppermint leaves in water for 15-20 minutes. Choose
one herb at a time. You can make 3 kinds of teas by following the same method.
You can also use chamomile and sage tea for gargling.
12. Soups
If you love
having soups, then this is the best time to have them as much as you can.
Refrain from excessive sodium containing soups.
13. Mixed
Juice
Combine
orange, cranberry and grapefruit juice, and consume it on a daily basis. A mix
of carrot, radish and ginger juice is also equally effective.
14.
Garlic
Suck the
juice of garlic by placing a piece or two in your mouth. You can crush it with
your teeth and gulp it down. Do this 3-4 times a day for quick recovery. Since
it has anti-microbial properties, it kills bacteria and viruses which are the
root causes of such infections.
- Mix crushed garlic cloves and honey to
form a paste. Consume 1 teaspoon of this paste with a glass of water 3-4
times a day.
- Finely chop four cloves of garlic.
Heat one teaspoon of ghee and cook the chopped garlic in it for a minute.
Add a pinch of salt and consume this mixture twice a day.
Note
- Some physicians do not suggest the use
of ghee and oil in laryngitis. So, we suggest you to confirm from your
doctor before trying the latter method of using garlic.
- Some people believe that garlic can be
harmful in laryngitis, so we suggest you to confirm from your physician
about consumption of garlic regarding your particular case.
15.
Ginger
Ginger also
has anti-microbial properties and helps you get rid of viral and bacterial
infections. It also soothes larynx and throat, consequently alleviates pain and
inflammation.
- Boil 2 teaspoons of grated ginger in 2
cups of water. Boil down the water till it reduces to 50%. Filter the
resultant solution and add two teaspoons of honey to it.
- Boil small pieces of ginger root in
water for 20-30 minutes. Filter it. You can add lemon and honey to it. Let
it cool and consume it multiple times in a day.
- Sucking small pieces of ginger would
also help. Chew it a little before gulping, as the juice will relieve the
soreness and inflammation in throat.
- You can add ginger in your tea as
well.
16. Anise
Seeds
Boil 2
teaspoons of anise seeds in 2 cups of water. Ingest this fluid multiple times a
day, but not more than 2 teaspoons in an hour.
- You can also choose to apply this
fluid on your neck and chest.
17. Onion
Syrup
To avoid
buying readymade cough syrup from the market, you can make one at home. Finely
chop a couple of onions. Boil these small pieces of onions in 5 cups of water
till it becomes consistently thick. In a glass of lukewarm water, add 2-4
tablespoons of this syrup, one tablespoon honey, and a few drops of lemon
juice. Consume this twice a day.
REMEMBER
Risk factors
for laryngitis include:
- Having a respiratory infection, such as a cold,
bronchitis or sinusitis
- Exposure to irritating substances, such as cigarette
smoke, excessive alcohol intake, stomach acid or workplace chemicals
- Overusing your voice, by speaking too much, speaking too loudly, shouting or singing