What is Laryngitis? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Methods

Laryngitis is a condition in which the vocal cords within the larynx become swollen and inflamed. This directly affects voice quality, causing hoarseness, voice changes, or complete loss of voice. Understanding the causes and symptoms of laryngitis is very important in order to receive appropriate diagnosis and treatment, and to prevent chronic hoarseness, which may be a sign of more serious health problems.

Key Takeaways

• Laryngitis occurs due to swelling and inflammation of the vocal cords, resulting in hoarseness to the point of voice loss, sore throat, dry throat, throat clearing, or a sensation of mucus stuck in the throat

• Diagnosis of laryngitis can be performed using endoscopy to assess the condition of the vocal cords, their movement, and to detect any nodules or abnormal masses that may pose a risk of cancerous cells

• Treatment of laryngitis depends on the cause, which may include antibiotics for bacterial infection, short-term steroids to reduce swelling, acid-reducing medication for reflux, or voice therapy

• Prevention of laryngitis includes strict voice rest, adequate hydration, and avoidance of irritants to the larynx such as dust, cigarette smoke, and alcohol

What is Laryngitis?

Laryngitis is a condition in which the vocal cords inside the larynx become swollen and inflamed, often caused by infection, irritation, excessive voice use, or improper voice use

Normally, the vocal cords vibrate when air passes through to produce sound. However, when swelling and inflammation occur, the vibration becomes abnormal, affecting voice quality and resulting in hoarseness or loss of voice

What are the symptoms of laryngitis?

Common symptoms of laryngitis include:

• Hoarseness

• Sore throat, loss of voice

• Pain when speaking

• Itching and irritation in the throat, urge to clear the throat

• A very dry sensation in the throat

• Dry cough or cough with phlegm

• Difficulty swallowing, breathing obstruction

• Low-grade fever if infection is present

What causes laryngitis?

Laryngitis may be caused by various factors, classified by duration into acute and chronic types

Acute laryngitis is a short-term condition that can resolve on its own. The main causes include:

• Viral infection: commonly caused by viruses responsible for the common cold

• Excessive voice use: speaking too loudly, shouting, straining the voice, speaking all day, or singing continuously for many hours

• Bacterial infection: may occur following sinusitis, causing postnasal drip and persistent coughing for several weeks

Chronic laryngitis is inflammation lasting longer than 3 weeks, often due to continuous exposure to irritants or resulting from other diseases, including:

• Lifestyle behaviors: exposure to cigarette smoke, allergens, or air pollution, including alcohol consumption and substance use

• Chronic voice use: loud or excessive voice use in professions requiring voice use may lead to nodules or bumps on the vocal cords, interfering with vibration

• Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR): causes acid or digestive fluids from the stomach to flow back up to the larynx, leading to irritation and chronic inflammation of the vocal cords

• Chronic sinusitis: causes continuous post-nasal drip from inflamed sinuses, leading to irritation of the vocal cords

• Other less common causes: such as fungal infection, tuberculosis, vocal cord paralysis, or tumors or laryngeal cancer

How is laryngitis diagnosed?

Diagnosis of laryngitis begins with medical history taking and physical examination. The doctor may then consider special examinations to evaluate the larynx and vocal cords in detail. Currently, there are several methods as follows:

• Indirect laryngoscopy: a simple traditional method. The doctor asks the patient to stick out the tongue and pull it forward, then inserts a small mirror into the mouth. The image of the larynx is reflected in the mirror

• Endoscopy: provides magnified images with higher resolution and clarity than the traditional method

The doctor usually sprays local anesthetic in the throat before the examination. There are two types of scopes:

• Rigid endoscope: a straight metal instrument inserted through the mouth to capture images of the larynx

• Fiber optic laryngoscope: a flexible scope inserted through the nostril via the nasal cavity down to the throat to capture images of the larynx. This method also allows visualization of the nasal cavity and upper throat

• Stroboscopy: a special device that processes and displays the vibration of the vocal cords on a monitor, both in normal motion and slow motion. This allows the doctor to detect abnormalities more accurately and clearly, such as:

• Inflammation, cysts, nodules, tumors, or laryngeal cancer

• Assessment of vocal cord function, especially movement or vibration, including vocal cord paralysis

Treatment of laryngitis

Treatment of laryngitis depends on the cause and type of inflammation. In acute cases caused by viruses, emphasis is on self-care and voice rest. If symptoms are severe or caused by other factors, specific treatments are used as follows:

• Antibiotics: since most laryngitis is caused by viruses, antibiotics are not necessary. However, if bacterial infection is diagnosed, antibiotics will be prescribed to control the infection

• Corticosteroids: used to rapidly reduce swelling and inflammation of the vocal cords, often in urgent cases or when swelling obstructs the airway

• Voice therapy: helps patients learn and adjust proper voice use in daily life and work, reducing vocal cord injury and the risk of recurrence, especially in voice-dependent professions

• Surgery: may be recommended in some cases, such as nodules or polyps on the vocal cords, cancer cells in the larynx, or other conditions requiring surgical correction

Prevention of laryngitis

Prevention can be achieved by maintaining overall health and avoiding behaviors that irritate the larynx and vocal cords, as follows:

• Drink enough room-temperature water, about 8 glasses per day

• Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic beverages as they may cause dehydration and throat irritation

• Avoid smoking and exposure to cigarette smoke

• Avoid air pollution such as dust, smoke, and toxins

• Get adequate rest, about 6–8 hours per night, to allow the body to recover and practice proper speaking or voice use. Regular practice helps strengthen vocal cord muscles and reduce injury

• Avoid forceful throat clearing, as it can impact the vocal cords and cause capillary rupture, increasing inflammation

• Seek proper treatment when ill

• Avoid excessive voice use when hoarse; rest the voice until symptoms improve

• Avoid close contact with patients with respiratory infections; wear a mask and wash hands frequently

Laryngitis: a condition that should be treated properly and promptly

Acute laryngitis is a common condition causing hoarseness or loss of voice, especially when caused by a cold. Self-care with voice rest and increased fluid intake is important

Therefore, if hoarseness lasts longer than 3 weeks or symptoms are severe, medical consultation is recommended for endoscopic diagnosis and appropriate treatment

The Ear, Nose, and Throat Center at Praram 9 Hospital has specialist physicians and modern technology to thoroughly examine your larynx. Endoscopic and stroboscopic examinations help accurately assess vocal cord swelling, nodules, or abnormalities, enabling targeted treatment planning and restoration of normal voice function

For more information

• Facebook : Praram 9 Hospital International & Expats

• Line : @Praram9Hospital
• Tel. 1270

Frequently asked questions about laryngitis

1. How is laryngitis different from sore throat?

Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx and vocal cords, with main symptoms of hoarseness, voice loss, or no voice. Sore throat is inflammation of the mucosa within the throat, with main symptoms of throat pain and irritation. These conditions may occur together when infection spreads

2. When should a doctor be consulted for laryngitis?

Seek medical attention immediately if there is difficulty breathing, coughing with blood, high fever, or hoarseness lasting more than 3 weeks, as it may indicate chronic laryngitis or a serious condition

3. How should self-care be done when having laryngitis?

The most important measure is strict voice rest, avoiding speaking or excessive voice use, including whispering, as whispering may strain and worsen inflammation. Drink sufficient room-temperature water to maintain hydration, get adequate sleep, and avoid cigarette smoke, dust, and alcohol

4. What should be consumed to relieve hoarseness?

Hoarseness improves faster by drinking warm water or sufficient plain water. Avoid cold drinks, ice, or alcoholic beverages, and avoid all spicy foods that may irritate the throat

References

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2025, September 20). Laryngitis. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/laryngitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20374262

Laryngitis. (2022, January 17). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22268-laryngitis

Poonam Sachdev. (2023, October 12). What Is Laryngitis and How to Treat It. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/what-is-laryngitis

Vaninder Kaur Dhillon, M.D. (n.d.). Laryngitis. Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/laryngitis