Laryngitis
Home Treatment
Laryngitis symptoms usually go away on their own within 2 weeks. You can help speed your recovery with the following home treatment:1
- Rest your voice. You do not have to stop speaking entirely, but use your voice as little as possible. Speak softly but do not whisper because whispering can actually irritate your larynx more than speaking softly. Avoid talking on the telephone or trying to speak loudly.
- Try not to clear your throat. This can cause further injury and inflammation to your larynx. Taking a non-prescription cough suppressant medication may help if you have a dry cough that does not produce mucus.
- Stop smoking and stay away from second-hand smoke. Cigarette smoke irritates the throat and larynx and makes existing inflammation worse.
- Use a humidifier in your home. Humidity helps to thin the mucus in the nasal membranes that causes stuffiness or post-nasal drip.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Relieve nasal stuffiness. The nose helps to humidify inhaled air, which keeps mucus at its proper consistency. A saline nasal wash may help.
- Treat and prevent gastroesophageal reflux. To help prevent or lessen reflux that can irritate or damage your larynx, try not to eat shortly before going to bed, reduce the amount of coffee and alcohol you drink, and eat healthy foods. Taking non-prescription acid reducers can help when these prevention measures are not enough.
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| Author: | Douglas Dana Ralph Poore | Last Updated: April 17, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Charles M. Myer, III, MD - Otolaryngology Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Topic Overview | |
| Symptoms | |
| Examinations and Tests | |
| Treatment Overview | |
 | Home Treatment |
| Other Places To Get Help | |
| Related Information | |
| References | |
| Credits | |