Laryngitis

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Laryngitis
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 J04.0, J37.0
ICD-9 464.0-464.4, 476.0-476.1
DiseasesDB 29347
MedlinePlus 001385
eMedicine ent/353  ent/354
MeSH D007827

Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. It causes hoarse voice or the complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the vocal folds (vocal cords).

Laryngitis is categorized as acute if it lasts less than a few days.[1] Otherwise it is categorized as chronic, and may last over 3 weeks.

Contents

Causes

Causes of Laryngitis

  • viral infection
  • bacterial or fungal infection
  • inflammation due to overuse of the vocal cords[2][3][4][5][6]
  • excessive coughing
  • excessive alcohol consumption
  • excessive smoking

Symptoms

Symptoms of laryngitis vary, depending on the severity and also the cause. The most common, and obvious, symptom is impaired speech, ranging from a raspy hoarseness to the total loss of ability to speak, except at a whisper. Other symptoms can include:

  • Dry, sore throat
  • Coughing, which can be a symptom of, or a factor in causing laryngitis;
  • Difficulty swallowing;
  • Sensation of swelling in the area of the larynx;
  • Cold or flu-like symptoms (which, like a cough, may also be the causing factor for laryngitis;)
  • Swollen lymph glands in the throat, chest, or face;
  • Fever

Treatment

In most instances, the symptoms accompanying laryngitis are more directly linked to the causative factor, such as infection. In cases caused by overuse of the voice, symptoms other than vocal impairment may be absent. Laryngitis, hoarseness or breathiness that lasts for more than two weeks may signal a voice disorder and should be followed up with a voice pathologist. This is typically a vocology certified SLP (speech language pathologist) or a laryngologist (voice specialized ENT).

If laryngitis is due to gastroesophageal reflux:

  • The patient may be instructed to take a medication such as Zantac or Prilosec for a period of 4-6 weeks.

If laryngitis is due to a bacterial or fungal infection:

  • The patient may be prescribed a course of antibiotics or anti-fungal medication.

If persistent hoarseness or loss of voice (sometimes called "laryngitis") is a result of vocal cord nodules:

  • Physicians may recommend a course of treatment that may include a surgical procedure and/or speech therapy.
  • Reduction of high-impact stress to the vocal cords caused by loud, frequent, and high pitched voicing is recommended.
  • These may vary

References

  1. ^ University of Michigan Health System. 2005. Laryngitis. McKesson Provider Technologies. Retrieved on May 16, 2007.
  2. ^ Titze IR, Lemke J, Montequin D (1997). "Populations in the U.S. workforce who rely on voice as a primary tool of trade: a preliminary report". J Voice 11 (3): 254–9. PMID 9297668. 
  3. ^ Popolo PS, Svec JG, Titze IR (2005). "Adaptation of a Pocket PC for use as a wearable voice dosimeter". J. Speech Lang. Hear. Res. 48 (4): 780–91. doi:10.1044/1092-4388(2005/054). PMID 16378473. 
  4. ^ Titze IR, Hunter EJ, Svec JG (2007). "Voicing and silence periods in daily and weekly vocalizations of teachers". J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 121 (1): 469–78. PMID 17297801. 
  5. ^ Nix J, Svec JG, Laukkanen AM, Titze IR (2007). "Protocol challenges for on-the-job voice dosimetry of teachers in the United States and Finland". J Voice 21 (4): 385–96. doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2006.03.005. PMID 16678386. 
  6. ^ Carroll T, Nix J, Hunter E, Emerich K, Titze I, Abaza M (2006). "Objective measurement of vocal fatigue in classical singers: a vocal dosimetry pilot study". Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 135 (4): 595–602. doi:10.1016/j.otohns.2006.06.1268. PMID 17011424. 

External links


v • d • e
Pathology of respiratory system (J, 460-519), respiratory diseases
Upper RT
(including URTIs,
Common cold)
Lower RT/lung disease
(including LRTIs)
External agents/
occupational
lung disease
Other
Obstructive or
restrictive
Pleural cavity/mediastinum
Other/general
see also congenital, neoplasia
v • d • e
Inflammation
Acute
Chronic
Processes
Specific types

Wikipedia content modification information:

  • This page was last modified on 29 September 2008, at 23:40.

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