What Causes Laryngitis?

"Losing your voice" to laryngitis is rarely a serious problem, but it can still be inconvenient and annoying. Laryngitis is a result of swelling in the larynx, or voice box -- particularly of the vocal chords, which vibrate to produce an individual's voice. If the vocal chords become inflamed, they can no longer vibrate normally, and an individual's voice becomes hoarse, high-pitched, or distorted. In severe cases, the chords are so swollen they can't move at all, leaving someone unable to speak. Depending on the cause, laryngitis can be accompanied by soreness or dryness of the throat, coughing, and possibly fever. Laryngitis usually clears up within a week or two with proper treatment for the underlying cause.

Here are the primary causes of laryngitis.

Viral Infections

Viruses are the most common cause of laryngitis, usually as a side effect of a more serious viral infection, such as a cold, bronchitis, the flu, or a respiratory tract infection. With this type of laryngitis, viruses invade the tissues of the throat, causing swelling as the body tries to expel them. This type of laryngitis is often accompanied by cold- or flu-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, coughing, fever, and a sore throat. Viral infections are not very contagious and usually clear up within a week, so there is rarely a need to contact a doctor unless symptoms worsen.

Continue reading to learn about another type of infection that can cause laryngitis.

Bacterial Infections

Infections and swelling causing laryngitis can also be a result of bacteria, such as those that cause respiratory infections, like diphtheria, strep throat, or pneumonia. These serious bacterial infections are less frequent in a majority of countries as individuals are regularly vaccinated against them. Bacterial laryngitis is much more contagious than the viral kind and is generally associated with more severe symptoms, such as fever, difficulty swallowing, cough, headache, and swollen glands. Bacterial infections are best treated by a doctor and usually respond well to antibiotics. If individuals are not sure if their infection is viral or bacterial, it's best to let a doctor make the determination. If a patient's laryngitis is severe enough that they have difficulty swallowing or breathing, they should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Keep reading to learn how an individual's voice can cause this infection to occur.

Vocal Strain

Like so many other parts of the body, the vocal chords can become overstressed if they're worked too hard, causing them to become inflamed and swell up. Constant yelling or even loud talking can be enough to cause this. Actors, singers, teachers, call center workers, and others whose work requires them to use their voice forcefully and for long periods are at a higher risk of overstressing their vocal chords. This type of laryngitis is not usually accompanied by any other symptoms other than slight discomfort or pain in the throat. The only cure for a vocal strain is rest. Continuous strain can lead to growths forming on the vocal chords, which can permanently distort the voice and may require surgery to correct.

Next, uncover which vice can lead to laryngitis along with other conditions.

Smoking

Cigarette smoke has an irritating effect on the tissues of the throat and lungs, including the vocal chords. If this irritation becomes severe enough, the vocal chords can become inflamed and thickened, producing the hoarse, rasping voice often associated with smokers. As with vocal strain, smoking can cause growths and permanent damage to the vocal chords if they are continuously irritated. While this form of laryngitis may pass with rest, the only real cure is quitting cigarettes. Otherwise, the inflammation will reoccur as long as individuals continue to smoke.

Continue reading to find out what role breathing plays in causing this condition.

Inhaling Irritants

Cigarette smoke is not the only irritating substance that can cause the vocal chords to become inflamed. The larynx can also be affected by chemical fumes or allergens individuals inhale, as well as heavy alcohol use or even stomach acid as a result of acid reflux. If individuals must work in an environment where there are irritating substances in the air, using proper breathing protection is essential to avoid inhaling irritants. As with smoke, the only real cure for this form of laryngitis is avoiding exposure to the irritant in the first place.

Get more details on what can cause laryngitis now.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a disorder of the digestive system where the lower esophageal sphincter does not function properly. The lower esophageal sphincter is a muscular ring that keeps the stomach contents from backing up into the esophagus. A gastroesophageal reflux disease patient will experience the influx of acid and stomach contents into their esophagus because the lower esophageal sphincter does not stay closed. Individuals affected by gastroesophageal reflux disease may develop inflammation in their vocal folds if the stomach contents or acids make their way to the throat level. The tissues that make up the vocal cords are not made to have repeated exposure to digestive acids and enzymes over a long period. Individuals who have laryngitis due to gastroesophageal reflux disease tend to present with symptoms such as hoarseness, feeling of a lump in the throat, coughing, and burning in the throat.

Learn more about the causes of laryngitis now.

Chronic Sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis is a condition where an individual experiences long term inflammation of the sinus linings. Sinuses are cavities in the facial bones behind the nose that are normally filled with air. The inner linings of the sinuses are membranes responsible for the secretion of thin mucus at times when it is needed. When these membranes become inflamed due to allergies or another mechanism, they can produce an excessive amount of thick mucus. This excessive mucus can drain into the back of the patient's nose and down into their throat. The tissues that make up the throat and larynx are not meant to have direct contact with thick mucus continuously for an extended period. When post-nasal drip is persistent due to chronic sinusitis, the patient's throat tissues can become irritated, inflamed, and swollen. This inflammation is considered a form of laryngitis.

Discover additional causes of laryngitis now.

Fungal Infection

Most individuals who develop fungal infections that cause the development of laryngitis are immunocompromised due to previous treatments, chronic diseases, autoimmune processes, and other conditions. Cryptococcal, histoplasmosis, aspergillosis, blastomycosis, and candidiasis are the most common types of fungus to produce infectious fungal laryngitis. These fungi have the potential to travel into the vocal folds after they have colonized and caused an infection in the airways, lungs, bronchi, tonsils, or throat. Once the fungi make their way to the secondary location of the vocal folds, they colonize further in these tissues. This fungal colonization induces an inflammatory response by the affected individual's immune system. The immune system releases substances and summons numerous types of white blood cells to the larynx in an attempt to mediate the harmful infection-causing pathogen. This infective inflammation of the vocal cords is a form of laryngitis.

Reveal more causes behind laryngitis now.

Stroke

The larynx is a complex structure made of numerous different muscles and tissues that serves several functions. These functions are controlled by the nerves and central nervous system via impulses sent to and from the brain. A stroke is an event where a part of the brain becomes deprived of its blood supply and becomes damaged. One of the most common symptoms of a stroke is the paralyzation or functional impairment of muscles around the body. When the part of the brain that controls the movement and actions of the laryngeal components becomes damaged due to stroke-precipitated ischemia, the patient can develop laryngitis. When the larynx is not functioning properly, it cannot protect the airways and prevent the development of infections in the sinuses, lungs, and throat that can cause laryngitis. The impaired larynx is also unable to prevent the patient's airways from general irritants that can produce inflammation in the vocal folds or laryngitis.

Read more about the various causes of laryngitis now.

Cancer

Depending on the type of cancer, both infective laryngitis and non-infective laryngitis can develop as a result of several direct and indirect mechanisms. Cancer that directly affects the regions that house the vocal folds can invade and damage the tissues making up the larynx. Inflammatory laryngitis develops when the immune system responds to this cellular damage. Cancer that develops in another part of the throat, airways, or lungs can provide an ample opportunity for foreign particles or pathogens to become trapped in the respiratory tract. When foreign particles or pathogens begin damaging and destroying cells in the lungs, throat, airways, or sinuses, the immune system is summoned to the site to help eliminate the infection. Infective laryngitis that develops in this fashion is simply an infection that is secondary to a primary infection caused by the mechanical obstruction or dysfunction of the respiratory structures.

Individuals concerned about if they could have laryngitis should seek medical attention for a proper assessment and to receive the right treatment as soon as possible.