Laryngitis can be a frustrating and painful condition to deal with. In some cases, it can last for weeks, especially if the proper treatment is not obtained. Laryngitis can be caused by a few different things, and it almost always leads to hoarseness and a weak voice. If you are experiencing symptoms that could be related to laryngitis, CheckPoint Urgent Care offers a wide range of medical services that include testing for and treating laryngitis.
Laryngitis
If you have hoarseness, a sore throat, or a weak voice, those could be signs of laryngitis. Learn all the details below about laryngitis, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
Symptoms Of Laryngitis
So, how can you tell the difference between laryngitis and just a sore throat? In some cases, the symptoms are quite similar. Most of the time, the symptoms of laryngitis last no more than 2 weeks. However, some people deal with chronic laryngitis, and those symptoms can last much longer.
The most common symptoms of laryngitis include:
- Sore throat
- Dry throat
- Hoarse voice
- Weak voice or loss of voice
- Dry cough
- Tickling sensation in your throat
If your symptoms are mild and go away within 2 weeks, there is usually no need to seek medical treatment. However, you should see a doctor right away if you begin to cough up blood, have increasing pain, have a continuous fever, or have trouble breathing.
Causes Of Laryngitis
Laryngitis occurs when your larynx, or voicebox, becomes inflamed. When inflammation is present, your vocal cords do not open and close like normal. This can occur for a few different reasons. Overuse, irritation, and infection are the three main causes of laryngitis, and treatment plans can vary depending on the cause of the issue.
Acute laryngitis typically lasts two weeks or less. Vocal strain and viral infection are the two most common causes of acute laryngitis. Once the underlying issue is resolved, the symptoms usually go away pretty quickly. Chronic laryngitis, on the other hand, occurs when your symptoms persist for longer than three weeks. This condition usually occurs from prolonged exposure to irritants, such as smoking or inhaling chemical fumes or other irritants. Chronic laryngitis can also occur from prolonged overuse of your voice, such as from singing or cheerleading.
Treatment Of Laryngitis
The specific course of treatment for laryngitis often depends on the underlying cause, but vocal rest is almost always at the top of the list. Since your voicebox is inflamed, more usage can lead to even more inflammation. Additionally, you should drink plenty of water to help keep the mucus in your throat thin and easy to clear. Avoid caffeine and alcohol as those can cause your body to lose water. In rare cases where a bacterial infection is present, an antibiotic may be prescribed by your doctor to clear the infection.
In cases of chronic laryngitis, exposure to the irritant causing the inflammation should be eliminated or minimized. Prolonged periods of vocal rest may be necessary to treat chronic laryngitis, and you should even avoid clearing your throat as this results in an abnormal vibration of the vocal cords that can cause even more inflammation.
Contact CheckPoint Urgent Care Today
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of laryngitis, contact CheckPoint Urgent Care today. Our professional team of medical experts can help determine the cause of your issue and prescribe the appropriate course of treatment. Let us take care of you today so that you can get back to doing all the things you enjoy!
