Palpation : Diagnosis-Benefits-Types-Symptoms

 Laryngitis

Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box, caused by irritation or infection.

Inside your larynx are your vocal cords — two folds of mucous membrane that cover muscle and cartilage. Vocal cords normally move smoothly, producing sounds through their vibration.

Laryngitis is an infection of the vocal cords. This can make the cords swell, which will distort your voice. Sometimes, because of laryngitis, your voice can become very weak or difficult to hear. In some cases, your voice may become almost undetectable.

Laryngitis is a temporary condition that may be acute or chronic. Most cases are caused by a viral infection and don't require much attention. Persistent hoarseness may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, but it is usually not serious.

Symptoms

Most laryngitis symptoms last a couple of weeks and are caused by a minor virus. Sometimes laryngitis symptoms are caused by something more serious or lasting.Laryngitis can cause the following symptoms:

• Hoarseness
• Having a weak voice or losing your voice can be a problem.
• You might feel a tickling sensation and a rawness in your throat.
• Sore throat
• Dry throat
• Dry cough

When to see a doctor

You can treat most cases of laryngitis with self-care steps such as resting your voice and drinking plenty of fluids. If you use your voice excessively during an episode of laryngitis, it can damage your vocal cords.

If your laryngitis symptoms last more than two weeks, see a doctor.

Seek immediate medical attention if you:

• Have trouble breathing
• Cough up blood
• Have a fever that won't go away
• The pain gets worse over time.

If you or your child experiences any unusual symptoms, be sure to call a doctor right away.

• When the baby breathes, it makes noisy high-pitched sounds (stridor).
• Drools more than usual
• Has trouble swallowing
• Has difficulty breathing
• Has a fever

Some of the signs and symptoms that may indicate croup are inflammation of the larynx and airway below it. Although croup can usually be treated at home, if it is severe it may require medical attention. Some of the signs and symptoms that may indicate epiglottitis are an inflammation of the tissue that covers the larynx. The epiglottis can protect the windpipe, which can be life-threatening for children and adults.

Causes

Acute laryngitis

Most cases of laryngitis are temporary and usually improve after the underlying cause is treated. Causes of acute laryngitis can include:

• A cold-like infection can be caused by viruses.
• If you yell or speak in a loud voice, it can cause vocal strain.
• Although bacterial infections are less common, they can still occur.

Chronic laryngitis

If laryngitis lasts more than three weeks, it is known as chronic laryngitis. This type of laryngitis is caused by exposure to irritants over time. Chronic laryngitis can cause vocal cord strain and injuries or growths on the vocal cords (polyps or nodules). This is a description of the cause of the event.

• Inhaling irritants, such as chemical fumes, allergens, or smoke can cause allergies.
• Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach acids flow back up into the esophagus.
• Chronic sinusitis
• Excessive alcohol use
• If you use your voice too often, it can get tired.
• Smoking

There are many possible causes of chronic laryngitis, some less common than others.

• Bacterial or fungal infections
• Infections with certain parasites

There are other causes of chronic hoarseness, such as:

• Cancer
• Vocal cord paralysis can be a result of nerve injury, such as from surgery or cancer, or from diseases that cause nerve disorders.
• Bowing of the vocal cords

Risk factors

Risk factors for laryngitis include:

• Having a respiratory infection, such as a cold, bronchitis or sinusitis
• Exposure to irritating substances,Excessive alcohol or cigarette smoking, eating too much acidic food like stomach acids, or being around workplace chemicals can all be harmful to your health.
• Overusing your voice,Talking too loudly can cause problems such as shouting or singing.

Complications

Sometimes when someone has laryngitis (a respiratory infection), the infection may spread to other parts of their respiratory system.

Prevention

To keep your vocal cords from becoming dry or irritated:

• Do not smoke and stay away from secondhand smoke.Smoke can dry out your throat and make your vocal cords irritated.
• Limit alcohol and caffeine.Dehydration can occur from these.
• Drink plenty of water.Drinking fluids helps keep the mucus in your throat thin and easy to clear.
• Keep spicy foods out of your diet.Spicy foods can cause the stomach acids to go up into the throat or esophagus. This can lead to heartburn or GERD, which is also known as reflux disease.
• Eat a variety of healthy foods to improve your health.Eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods have several vitamins that are important for overall health. They can also help keep the throat's mucous membranes healthy.
• Avoid clearing your throat.This won't help and will actually cause more harm because it causes an abnormal vibration of your vocal cords and makes your throat feel swollen. Clearing your throat also causes your throat to secrete more mucus and make you want to clear your throat again.
• Avoid upper respiratory infections.Make sure to wash your hands often and avoid contact with people who are suffering from colds.

Diagnosis

The most common symptom of laryngitis is a change in your voice. This can range from mild hoarseness to almost total loss of your voice. If you have chronic hoarseness, your doctor may review your medical history and symptoms. He or she may want to do tests to find the cause. If you have any concerns about your voice, listen to it and look at your vocal cords. You may be referred to an ear, nose, and throat specialist.

Sometimes these techniques are used to diagnose laryngitis: 1. Listen to the patient's voice, paying attention to how it sounds and how long it lasts. 2. Examine the patient's throat and nose for inflammation or other signs of disease. 3. Perform a physical examination, looking for any lumps, bumps, or changes in the size or shape of the throat or nose.

• Laryngoscopy. Your doctor can look inside your throat using a light and a small mirror, or they may use an endoscope to enter your mouth through the back of your throat. Your doctor can watch the motion of your vocal cords while you speak by placing a video camera in your nose or mouth.
• Biopsy.If your doctor sees something that seems suspicious, they may take a tissue sample for examination under a microscope.

Treatment

Acute laryngitis often improves on its own within a week or so. Taking care of yourself by resting your voice, drinking fluids, and humidifying the air can help improve symptoms.

Treatment for chronic laryngitis focuses on correcting the underlying causes. These can include issues such as heartburn, smoking, and excessive drinking.

Medications used in some cases include:

• Antibiotics.Almost all cases of laryngitis are caused by a viral infection. However, if you have a bacterial infection your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic.
• Corticosteroids.Corticosteroids may help reduce vocal cord inflammation. However, this treatment is only used when there is an urgent need to treat laryngitis - for example, in some cases when a toddler has laryngitis associated with croup.

You may have voice therapy to learn how to lessen behaviors that worsen your voice.

In some cases, you may need surgery.

Clinical trials

Visit the Mayo Clinic to learn about new treatments and tests that may be able to prevent, treat, or manage this condition.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Some self-care methods and home treatments may relieve the symptoms of laryngitis and lessens the stress on your voice.

• Breathe moist air.If you want to keep the air in your home or office moist, use a humidifier. Breathe steam from a bowl of hot water or take a hot shower.
• You should rest your voice as much as possible.Do not talk or sing too loudly, or for too long. If you need to speak in a large group, try using a microphone or megaphone.
• Drinking lots of fluids is a good way to stay hydrated.To prevent dehydration, avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Moisten your throat.Swallow a lozenge or chew on a piece of gum to relieve sore throat symptoms.
• Avoid decongestants.These medications can make your throat dry.
• Avoid whispering.This is harder than normal speech.

Preparing for your appointment

You may see your family doctor or a pediatrician first. You may be referred to a doctor who is trained in ear, nose, and throat disorders.

Here are some things to know about your appointment and what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

• Be aware of any pre-existing restrictions before your appointment.When you make the appointment, ask if there are any preparations that you need to do in advance.
• Make a list of any symptoms you're experiencing.Please bring any materials that may seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment.
• Write down key personal information,Stress can cause changes in the body.
• Make a list of all medications,What vitamins and supplements you're taking.
• Take a family member or friend along,It is helpful if someone accompanies you while you are taking the test. That person can help you if you forget something.
• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. You may want to ask your doctor some basic questions about laryngitis, such as:

• What could be causing my symptoms or condition?
• What are other possible causes?
• What tests do I need, if any?
• Can my condition be temporary or chronic?
• What is the best course of action?
• What are some other ways to approach the problem you're describing?
• What other medical conditions do you have? How can I best take care of them together?
• Do I need to follow any specific guidelines?
• Should I see a subspecialist?
• Do you have any other recommendations for treating my condition?
• Can I take home brochures or other printed material? What websites do you think I should visit?

If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Your doctor will tell you what to expect.

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

• When did you start experiencing the symptoms?
• Has your problem been present constantly or sporadically?
• How severe are your symptoms?
• What are some things that may help improve your symptoms?
• What if anything makes your symptoms worse?
• Do you smoke?
• Do you drink alcohol?
• Are you allergic to something? Have you been infected with a cold recently?
• Are you experiencing problems with your vocal cords because you've been using them a lot lately?