Laryngitis (Voice Box) Cause for Sore Throat and Hoarse, Weak or Lost Voice

Your voice is the sound produced when air passes through your larynx (voice box) and everyone’s sound is unique. Your larynx has two muscle bands covered by vocal cords that vibrate to make your unique sounding voice.

Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box (larynx) caused by overuse, irritation or infection. When you have laryngitis your vocal cords become inflamed, irritated and swollen, distorting your voice to sound hoarse, weak or lost.

Laryngitis often makes you feel the need to constantly clear your throat (avoid clearing), and you may experience:

Acute (short-term) laryngitis is usually caused by a viral infection, also may occur during or after another illness, such as a cold, influenza or pneumonia.

Acute laryngitis is usually a temporary problem that either improves by itself or clears after treatment. You can manage most acute cases of laryngitis with self-care steps:

  • Use a humidifier ~ keep air moist.
  • Avoid talking or singing ~ too loudly/too long.
  • Give your voice a break ~ only talk when necessary.
  • Avoid whispering ~ puts more strain than normal speech.
  • Keep your throat moist ~ suck on a lozenge, gargle or chew gum.

Chronic (long-term/comes and goes) laryngitis is caused by constant irritation from excessive:

Beyond your chronic hoarseness, you may experience some of these vocal cord problems:

  • sores
  • loosening due to aging
  • growths ~ polyps/nodules
  • paralysis resulting from injury, stroke, lung tumor

If your hoarse, weak or lost voice lasts for more than two weeks (adult) or one week (child), don’t hesitate to see your doctor.

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