Laryngitis is often caused by an infection or irritation of the vocal cords and can be a symptom of a more serious underlying health condition. It can cause your vocal cords to swell, leading to a hoarse-sounding voice or the complete loss of your voice.
If laryngitis is left untreated or isn’t treated properly, it can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
Common causes of long-lasting laryngitis include chronic conditions like vocal cord nodules, polyps, or scarring, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), breathing in too much smoke or air pollution, or overusing the voice in a way that causes vocal strain and irritation.
Other potential causes to consider include allergies, sinus infections, overuse of decongestant medications, and colds that linger for more than two weeks.
If you’ve had laryngitis for more than two weeks and don’t have a clear cause, it’s best to seek medical attention. A medical professional can help rule out any underlying medical issues and suggest ways to reduce the swelling and inflammation of your vocal cords.
Treatment recommendations are often tailored to each individual’s situation. Common treatments may include antiviral medications, antibiotics, steroids, and voice therapy.
What happens if laryngitis doesn’t go away?
If laryngitis does not go away or does not improve with home treatment, it may become a chronic condition. Chronic laryngitis can cause a persistent hoarseness or a high-pitched voice. This can be very uncomfortable and may prevent you from participating in activities that involve speaking or singing.
In some cases, it may be necessary to seek medical treatment to fully resolve laryngitis. Depending on the cause of laryngitis, a doctor may prescribe oral medications, such as antibiotics or corticosteroids.
In more severe cases, vocal cord injections or surgery may be necessary to unblock the airways and improve airflow. If lifestyle factors are contributing to laryngitis, such as smoking or voice misuse, then the doctor may suggest making changes to help control or treat the condition.
If allergies are the cause, then allergen avoidance or medication may be recommended to reduce symptoms.
When should I be concerned about laryngitis?
It is important to be aware of the symptoms of laryngitis, as it can be a sign of a more serious underlying health condition. The main symptom of laryngitis is hoarseness or a loss of voice. Other common symptoms are a dry, sore throat, coughing, difficulty talking and/or swallowing, a need to clear the throat frequently, breathiness in the voice, and pain or discomfort in the throat, ears, or chest.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider.
Laryngitis is usually caused by a virus, however, other causes such as stress, environmental pollutants, allergies, or acid reflux can also cause laryngitis. If the laryngitis persists for more than two weeks or if the symptoms worsen, it is important to seek professional help as this could be a sign of a more serious condition such as an infection, asthma, or vocal cord nodules.
Furthermore, if there is significant swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, a fever, or pain in the jaw, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
How do you treat laryngitis lingering?
If you have laryngitis that lingers, it is important to take steps to reduce any inflammation or irritation in your throat. Resting your voice by reducing or eliminating speaking and other activities that may strain your vocal cords is important.
You can also try warm or cold compresses on your throat, or drinking warm liquids such as herbal tea or warm water with a bit of honey or lemon to help soothe your throat. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen may also help to reduce inflammation and pain.
Saline irrigation can also be beneficial, as salt water can help to reduce inflammation and mucus in the throat. If laryngitis lingers for more than a couple of weeks, it is important to contact your healthcare provider, as underlying medical conditions such as allergies, a virus, or acid reflux may be contributing to your laryngitis.
Can laryngitis cause permanent voice loss?
No, laryngitis typically does not cause permanent voice loss. Laryngitis is an inflammation, irritation, or infection of the vocal cords that can result in hoarseness, a raspy voice, or even complete loss of the voice.
However, most cases of laryngitis are acute and will resolve without long-term complications.
In some cases, laryngitis can be caused by something that causes more lasting damage to the vocal cords, such as polyps on the vocal cords, an injury to the area, or overuse of the voice. In such cases, the patient may have long-term vocal or breathing problems, or even permanent voice loss.
Unfortunately, in cases of permanent voice loss, the underlying cause may not be determined, as the cause is often unknown. The best course of action is to contact your doctor and have a medical professional evaluate your vocal cords.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent permanent damage to the area and ensure that your voice is healthy and strong.
What is the longest laryngitis can last?
The length of laryngitis depends on the cause and severity of the condition. It can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, and in rare cases even longer. Viral laryngitis is typically less severe and may last from a few days up to two weeks.
Bacterial laryngitis may last up to three weeks. In more severe cases of laryngitis, it can take four to six weeks for a full recovery. Chronic laryngitis, which is caused by frequent irritation of the voice box, is different than acute laryngitis and can last much longer.
Treatment for chronic laryngitis usually lasts for several months, and in some cases even years.
Can loss of voice be permanent?
Yes, in rare cases, loss of voice can be permanent. The medical name for this condition is called aphonia. Aphonia is the complete loss of voice, often caused by nerve or muscle damage to the vocal cords.
The most common cause of permanent aphonia is related to a medical procedure. This includes certain surgeries such as a laryngectomy, which is the removal of the vocal cords as a result of cancer, or certain vocal cord cancers that cannot be cured.
Vocal cord Burns, inflammation or vocal cord paralysis may also cause permanent loss of vocal cords.
Other serious conditions that can cause permanent loss of voice include viral infections that cause nerve damage, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS); neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis; autoimmune diseases like lupus; thyroid and other endocrine disorders; and mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia.
It is important to see a doctor if you experience a sudden or persistent loss of voice. Your doctor will be able to diagnose the cause and develop a treatment plan to manage or remedy the condition. There are certain treatments available for certain causes of permanent aphonia, such as speech therapy and voice therapy.
However, in most cases, the condition is irreversible.
Can chronic laryngitis be permanent?
Chronic laryngitis, or inflammation of the larynx which causes hoarseness, can sometimes be permanent. Chronic laryngitis is generally caused by an irritant or an infection, and it can cause difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing.
While some cases of chronic laryngitis can be resolved with treatment, some may persist for long periods of time or even become permanent. This can be due to a range of factors including a damaged vocal cord, constant irritation of the larynx due to smoking, alcohol use or air pollution, or an ongoing infection with the bacteria that causes laryngitis.
The most important thing to do when experiencing chronic laryngitis is to seek medical help from a healthcare provider in order to diagnose the condition and determine the underlying cause. Depending on the cause, treatment may include changes in lifestyle, medications, and changes in how you use your voice.
Surgery may be necessary if the larynx is significantly damaged or if the cause of the laryngitis is related to a tumor.
How long before my voice comes back after laryngitis?
The amount of time it takes for an individual to recover their voice after laryngitis depends on the cause and severity of the laryngitis. Generally, most people with mild symptoms recover in 7-10 days.
For individuals with severe laryngitis, recovery can take several weeks or longer. In some cases, medications may be used to expedite the recovery process. Additionally, taking steps to take care of your voice during the recovery process, such as speaking softly and avoiding vocal strain, can help to speed up the recovery.
What are signs of damaged vocal cords?
Signs of damaged vocal cords can vary depending on the severity of the damage. Generally speaking, some common signs of vocal cord damage include persistent hoarseness or a raspy voice quality, vocal fatigue, loss of vocal range, “gruffness” or “roughness” in the voice quality, difficulty producing vocal sounds or difficulty controlling the volume of the voice, breathiness, persistent pain when speaking or singing, difficulty or pain when moving or stretching the vocal folds, and changes in the intonation or pitch of the voice.
If you believe you have signs of damaged vocal cords, it is important to consult a doctor or a voice specialist as soon as possible, as the condition can often be improved with therapy, lifestyle changes and medical intervention.
Can laryngitis last for years?
No, laryngitis is typically a temporary condition and rarely lasts for years. It is usually caused by a virus or due to an irritant in the throat and is generally treated with rest and over the counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Most cases will resolve in a few days, although a severe case of laryngitis may take up to 3 weeks to resolve. Chronic laryngitis, which may last for weeks to months, is usually caused by smoking, allergies, acid reflux or vocal strain.
If laryngitis persists for months or years, it is generally something other than the common form of laryngitis and the underlying cause must be determined by a physician.
What causes long term laryngitis?
Long term laryngitis is often caused by overuse or misuse of the vocal cords. Stressful situations, screaming, talking loudly, or chanting for long periods of time can cause symptoms of laryngitis, as can excessive coughing and smoking, which can cause the vocal cords to become inflamed and irritated.
In some cases, laryngitis can be caused by an underlying medical diagnosis such as an infection from a virus, fungus, or bacteria, allergies, acid reflux, vocal cord nodules, polyps, granulomas, or vocal cord tumors.
Other causes of chronic laryngitis can include psychiatric and autoimmune diseases, as well as thyroid conditions and ultraviolet light exposure. In some cases, simply resting the voice, moderating alcohol and caffeine intake, and avoiding irritants such as smoke, dust, and over-the-counter medications can help alleviate the symptoms of laryngitis.
How do you fix chronic laryngitis?
Chronic laryngitis is a condition that involves inflammation of the larynx (the voice box) which can cause hoarseness, a sore throat, and/or difficulty speaking. The most effective way to fix chronic laryngitis is to identify and address the underlying cause.
Although some cases are caused by viral infections which will resolve on their own, many are caused by other factors such as overuse of the vocal cords, smoking, allergies, gastroesophageal reflux disease, etc.
If voice abuse or smoking is causing or worsening the laryngitis, the best treatment is to rest the voice by avoiding speaking altogether or using the voice as sparingly as possible. If the laryngitis is caused by allergies you should be sure to take your antihistamine and use a cool mist humidifier to ease the symptoms.
If GERD is the underlying cause you should avoid acidic foods and beverages and consult your doctor to discuss medications to reduce stomach acid production and control the heartburn.
Other remedies to alleviate symptoms of laryngitis and speed up recovery are: drinking hot water with honey and lemon, using throat lozenges, using steam inhalation, gargling with warm salt water, and avoiding nasal sprays and decongestants.
After identifying and addressing the underlying cause, most cases of chronic laryngitis can be successfully managed with rest and lifestyle changes. Speak to your doctor for more personalized advice and to explore further treatment options if needed.
What autoimmune causes laryngitis?
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box (larynx) due to infection, allergy, or injury. While any of these can lead to laryngitis, autoimmune conditions are also capable of causing laryngitis and other symptoms associated with it.
Autoimmune conditions occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. This can happen in the larynx, leading to inflammation and laryngitis symptoms such as hoarseness, loss of voice, dry cough, throat pain, or swollen lymph nodes.
Common autoimmune conditions linked to laryngitis include thyroiditis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and Sjögren’s syndrome.
Diagnosing and treating laryngitis caused by an autoimmune condition involves managing the underlying autoimmune disease. This may include lifestyle modifications such as exercising regularly, eating a nutritious diet, and getting enough sleep.
In some cases, medications such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, or biologics may also be prescribed to treat the autoimmune condition and reduce inflammation.
Getting the right diagnosis and treatment for autoimmune conditions that lead to laryngitis is important for managing the condition. A doctor may use imaging tests, blood tests, and a throat exam to diagnose laryngitis due to an autoimmune condition, and then recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Is chronic laryngitis a disability?
No, chronic laryngitis is not considered a disability. Chronic laryngitis refers to inflammation in the larynx (the upper part of the throat that includes the vocal cords). While it can cause significant discomfort and make communication difficult, it is typically not considered to be a disability.
Chronic laryngitis is generally considered temporary and can typically be treated with time and proper medical care. However, in some cases, chronic laryngitis can cause damage to the vocal cords and can be the cause of permanent voice changes or the need for a tracheotomy or other medical intervention.
In cases like this, chronic laryngitis might be considered a disability.
