Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: General information about laryngitis
• Method 2 of 4: Treating Laryngitis with Medicines
• Method 3 of 4: Treating Laryngitis With Home Remedies
• Method 4 of 4: When to See Your Doctor
• Warnings

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx and vocal cords, manifested by coughing and voice disturbances. In most cases, laryngitis develops as a result of a viral infection. This disease is usually accompanied by rather unpleasant symptoms. After reading this article, you will learn how to reduce the symptoms of laryngitis and quickly cure this ailment.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: General information about laryngitis

1. 1 Learn about the causes of laryngitis. Typically, laryngitis is caused by a viral infection like the common cold or bronchitis. In most cases, in adults, laryngitis resolves on its own within a few days.
   • In children, laryngitis can cause complications of respiratory diseases. The most dangerous complication of laryngitis is false croup.
   • In some cases, laryngitis develops as a result of a bacterial or fungal infection.
   • Exposure to chemical irritants is also a common cause of laryngitis.
2. 2 Learn about the early symptoms of laryngitis. If you want to quickly cure laryngitis, you must know the early symptoms of this disease. These symptoms include:
   • Hoarseness of voice
   • Swelling, inflammation, or itching in the throat
   • Dry cough
   • Difficulty swallowing
3. 3 Learn about risk factors. The risk of developing laryngitis increases with the following factors:
   • Upper respiratory tract infections. Colds or bronchitis can also inflame the larynx.
   • Excessive stress on the vocal cords. Laryngitis is an occupational disease of those who speak or sing a lot and often.
   • Allergies. Laryngitis often affects people with allergies.
   • Acid reflux. Acid reflux can irritate the vocal cords and throat.
   • Corticosteroids. Treating asthma with corticosteroids can irritate the larynx.
   • Smoking. Tobacco smoke irritates both the throat and vocal cords.

Method 2 of 4: Treating Laryngitis with Medicines

1. 1 Take a pain reliever such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or paracetamol. A pain reliever can help bring down the fever and relieve a sore throat.
   • These drugs are available in tablet or liquid form.
   • Follow your doctor's recommendations or instructions that came with the drug to help you choose the correct dose of the drug.
   • You can also consult a pharmacist. Ask him to find a pain reliever for you that will relieve your symptoms. Also learn how to take the correct drug of your choice.
2. 2 Avoid decongestants. Decongestants cause dryness of the pharyngeal mucosa. This in turn can worsen the symptoms of laryngitis. Therefore, do not take decongestants if you have laryngitis.
3. 3 Take the antibiotic prescribed by your healthcare provider. If your laryngitis is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. As a rule, the use of an antibiotic promotes a quick recovery.
   • Do not take antibiotics without first talking to your doctor.
   • If laryngitis develops as a result of a viral infection, then antibiotic treatment will not bring the expected result.
   • The doctor may prescribe antibiotics in the injections to speed up the healing process.
4. 4 Ask your doctor about corticosteroid treatment. If you develop symptoms of laryngitis at a time when you really need a voice, for example, you must speak to an audience or sing, ask your doctor about the possibility of using corticosteroids. The use of corticosteroids rapidly reduces the symptoms of laryngitis.
   • Corticosteroids are usually only prescribed in severe cases.
5. 5 Determine the cause of the laryngitis. In order to quickly cure laryngitis, which is not caused by a viral or bacterial infection, it is important to determine its true cause and eliminate it with medication.
   • Take acid reflux suppressants. If your laryngitis is caused by reflux disease, medication will reduce the production of stomach acid and, therefore, make your condition easier.
   • If laryngitis in your case is the result of an allergy, take antiallergic medications.
   • If you are not sure what is the cause of laryngitis in your case, consult a doctor who will conduct the necessary examination and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Method 3 of 4: Treating Laryngitis With Home Remedies

1. 1 Don't strain your vocal cords. Be silent so that the vocal cords are at rest, otherwise the inflammation will only worsen. If you want to recover faster, try to talk as little as possible.
   • Avoid whispering. Contrary to popular belief, whispering doubles the pressure on the larynx.
   • Speak softly or write what you want to say.
2. 2 Drink as much water as possible. If you want to reduce unpleasant symptoms, make sure your throat is sufficiently hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids. Also, suck on hard candy or chew gum.
   • Warm drinks soothe a sore throat. Drink warm water, soup, or warm honey tea.
   • Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can increase dryness and irritation.
   • Gum and hard candy can help increase saliva production, which can help reduce throat irritation.
3. 3 Gargle. Put warm water in your mouth, tilt your head back and gargle well. Symptoms will diminish significantly. If you want to quickly get rid of unpleasant symptoms, gargle as often as possible. Do this for a few minutes.
   • Prepare a gargle solution. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. This rinsing can help produce saliva, heal mucous membranes, and reduce symptoms.
   • Dissolve an aspirin tablet in a glass of warm water and gargle with the resulting solution. Please note that this solution must not be swallowed. Do not use aspirin gargle solution for children under 16 years of age.
   • Some people use mouthwash, which kills germs and bacteria in the mouth.
   • Alternatively, try the following gargle solution: Mix equal parts water and vinegar. It is believed that this solution kills bacteria and fungi that can cause laryngitis.
4. 4 Avoid potential throat irritants such as smoke. Smoke contributes to inflammation of the larynx, as it irritates and dry out the lining of the throat.
   • If you often get laryngitis, quit smoking and reduce the time you spend in a smoking area.
5. 5 Use a humidifier. It is easier to breathe in humid air. The air humidifier reduces inflammation of the throat mucosa, which promotes a quick recovery.
   • Turn on hot water in the shower. Breathe in the steam for 15-20 minutes.
   • You can also boil water in a saucepan, and tilt your head over it to inhale the steam. Cover your head with a towel to keep the steam from dissipating.
6. 6 Apply herbs. Herbs have long been used to treat sore throat as well as to reduce other symptoms associated with laryngitis. However, herbs can cause side effects, especially when used with other medications or supplements. Check with your doctor before using this or that herb to treat laryngitis. The following herbs are used to treat laryngitis:
   • Eucalyptus soothes irritated throat. Make a tea with fresh eucalyptus leaves or make a gargle with them. Do not drink eucalyptus oil. It's poisonous.
   • Peppermint is similar in effect to eucalyptus. It is often used to treat throat ailments. However, do not take peppermint oil by mouth. Also, do not treat babies with peppermint (or menthol).
   • Licorice is also used to treat throat ailments. Be sure to check with your doctor before using licorice, especially if you are taking medications such as aspirin or warfarin. In addition, licorice should be used with caution if you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, or have heart, liver, or kidney disease.
   • Slippery elm reduces irritation in the throat and also coats the mucous membrane. Mix 1 teaspoon of powdered slippery elm extract with a glass of warm water. Drink the mixture slowly. Leave the solution in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking this herbal remedy. This should be done especially if you are taking medications. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not use this herb to treat laryngitis.

Method 4 of 4: When to See Your Doctor

1. 1 Pay attention to how long you have been experiencing laryngitis symptoms. Consult your doctor if symptoms last longer than 2 weeks.
   • Consult your doctor. The doctor will make the correct diagnosis, determine the cause and severity of the laryngitis.
2. 2 Watch out for dangerous symptoms of laryngitis. See your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms. Be sure to consult your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
   • Increasing pain
   • Heat
   • Labored breathing
   • Swallowing problems
   • Coughing up blood
   • Increased salivation
3. 3 Respond immediately to new symptoms of laryngitis in your child. If you suspect that your child has laryngitis and have any of the following symptoms, be sure to consult a doctor to rule out acute obstructive laryngitis.
   • Increased salivation
   • Difficulty swallowing or breathing
   • Fever above 39.4 C
   • Change in tone of voice, appearance of hoarseness
   • At the moment of inhalation, a whistle is heard
4. 4 Pay attention to how often you get laryngitis. If you often have laryngitis, consult a doctor who can determine the cause of the disease and prescribe appropriate treatment. Chronic laryngitis can be caused by:
   • Sinusitis or allergies
   • Bacterial or fungal infection
   • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
   • Crayfish
   • Paralysis of the vocal cords due to injury, tumor, or stroke

Warnings

• If the symptoms of the disease persist after two weeks, then laryngitis may well be the result of much more serious diseases. Be sure to consult your doctor. The doctor will prescribe the necessary treatment.
• Whispering leads to severe tension on the vocal cords.