Hoarse, broken, or even a lost voice are all symptomatic characteristics of laryngitis. Laryngitis is often the direct result of voice box, or its surrounding muscles resulting in inflammation. However, many do not understand what spurs this often temporary condition; in other words where does laryngitis come from? In this article we will explore the various causes of laryngitis.
The sources of laryngitis can fall into several distinctive categorizes. Various types of laryngitis include mechanical, fungal, or viral. Although laryngitis occurs more frequently in conjunction with cold or upper respiratory infections, they are not the only sources of laryngitis. Laryngitis can come from many different sources.
Laryngitis is often thought to be a direct result of simply overusing one’s voice. This type of laryngitis would be referred to as having come from a mechanical source. Excessive yelling, shouting, or any sort of strain on the vocal chords can result in laryngitis. Habitual strain on the vocal chords can progress from acute to chronic and can result in an extended duration of the laryngitis. When symptoms of laryngitis last over 2 weeks or occurring more frequently, it is considered chronic. Acute cases of laryngitis are defined by symptoms lasting 2 weeks or less.
Examples of viral health conditions that can cause laryngitis include the common cold and influenza (flu). These viral causes of laryngitis take place as they both can cause potential irritation to the voice box. Laryngitis can come from these ailments as coughing, allergies with drainage, or exposure to stomach acid can all sufficiently affect the voice box in such a manner.
In addition to laryngitis being contracted through a virus, though not as common in occurrence, laryngitis can also be contracted by bacterial or fungal infections. It is important to the determination of treatment to know where the laryngitis came from. Some forms of laryngitis can be cured with antibiotics, while others cannot. It is for this reason medical treatment for laryngitis is important.
Laryngitis can also come from GERD (gastroesophagael reflux disease). The reason laryngitis can come from GERD is due to the prevalence of stomach acid into the throat area. Laryngitis coming from GERD can be cured by the reduction of acid in the throat through medications including Zantac or Pepcid AC.
Upon medical evaluation to determine where your laryngitis came from, your physician will have several options. However in laryngitis coming from viral and mechanical sources, there are many home remedies that can be utilized as antibiotic are not effect in these cases. Hot beverages such as tea with lemon and honey, lozenges, cayenne and ginger are believed to be among the best for curing laryngitis coming from these sources.
