This season brings with it a host of ailments.
It’s that time of the year when we welcome the respite from the scorching heat. However, the change in weather also brings with it a host of ailments, especially cold, cough and sore throat. Laryngitis is also quite common at this time of the year.
What is Laryngitis?
Dr Ravindrakumar Ingale, M.D. (Ayurved) Kayachikitsa, says that the larynx, also called the voice box, allows us to speak, shout, whisper and sing. “It also prevents food and liquids from going into your lungs. Laryngitis (larynx + itis = inflammation) is an inflammation of the voice box where vocal cords get swollen and change shape.”
Causes
Non-Infectious causes
- Acid reflux disease results in Laryngitis Gastrica.
- Allergies, excessive coughing, smoking or alcohol consumption.
- Inflammation due to overuse of the vocal cords (excess talking, singing or shouting).
- Prolonged use of inhaled corticosteroids for asthma treatment.
- Thermal or chemical burns.
- Laryngeal trauma-endotracheal intubation.
- Irritation due to chemical inhalation, and exposure to chemicals and pollen.
- Vocal cord paralysis and tumours/polyp in the larynx.
Infectious causes
- Viral infections caused by rhinovirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, coxsackie virus and coronavirus.
- Bacterial infections caused by group A streptococcus, streptococcus pneumoniae, C. diphtheriae, M. catarrhalis, haemophilus influenzae, bordetella pertussis, bacillus anthracis and M. tuberculosis. Bacterial infections usually follow pre-existing viral infections.
- Fungal infections can be caused by Histoplasma, Blastomyces, Candida (especially in immunocompromised persons) and, rarely, by Cryptococcus and Coccidioides.
Symptoms
- Breathy, raspy, and hoarse voice or aphonia (inability to speak).
- Feeling of tightness or of something stuck in the throat. Sore throat or increased throat pain.
- Headache or fever.
- Nasal congestion or runny nose.
- Trouble swallowing food.
- Large, tender lumps in the neck. Swollen lymph nodes in the throat, chest, or face.
- Coughing or sensation of swelling in the area of the larynx.
- Cold or flu-like symptoms.
- Hemoptysis (coughing out blood)
- Dyspnea (difficulty in breathing), predominantly in children.
- Increased production of saliva.
Diagnosis
Dr Avinash U Borade, consultant ENT specialist, says laryngitis can be diagnosed by checking the history of the patient and symptoms like hoarseness of voice, discomfort and pain in the throat especially during talking, a dry, irritating cough or even fever. “In certain cases an examination of the larynx is required, wherein redness and swelling can be seen,” he says.
Tests are also advised to determine the ailment, he adds. “Esophagoscopy or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (EGD) is done to check your esophagus when you have acid reflux. Laryngoscopy checks the inside of your larynx using a laryngoscope. It is the most common test to look directly at the vocal cords and evaluate their function.”
Treatment
Laryngitis may go away on its own. “However, if condition worsens, antibiotics can help treat or prevent a bacterial infection. Anti-fungal medicines treat fungal laryngitis, while antacids called proton pump inhibitors are used to decrease the amount of acid made by your stomach,” explains Dr Ingale.
Other treatments include using an air humidifier that adds moisture to the air in your home. “Moist air makes it easier to cough up mucus from your lungs. This will help your laryngitis heal faster. It’s also important to increase your daily liquid intake. Ayurvedic medicines help strengthen the lungs and respiratory tract, including the larynxpharynx,” he adds.
More prevalent in winter
Dr Borade says there has been an increase in the number of cases in the last few weeks. Many a time, laryngitis follows upper respiratory tract infection, which is common in this season.
Images courtesy: © Thinkstock photos/ Getty Images
Author: Zeenia F Baria
