The Inflammation of the vocal cords results in laryngitis. This is especially troublesome for disc jockeys. Laryngitis can be either acute or chronic. Chronic laryngitis manifests itself as an incessant tickling of the throat, huskiness of the voice and painfulness of speech. Whether the laryngitis is acute or chronic, swollen vocal cords force the laryngeal mucous membranes to “outpouch”. The person with acute laryngitis might be waylaid by a fever, dry cough, and difficulty swallowing. On the whole, this is not a grave condition. Unless attributed to serious morbidity, laryngitis is usually self-limiting. If you heed laryngitis’ silent warning to rest, you can expect your voice and general well being to return in 5 to 10 days.

Laryngitis evolves from numerous causes. Two of the most common of these are vocal abuse and upper respiratory tract infection. The latter usually results from a virus. Examples of vocal abuse include long periods of shouting and screaming. However, one weekend of talking a blue streak might also do the trick. Those at high risk for laryngitis include B-Movie Queens, sports fans, DJ’s, socialites, and auctioneers. Vocations aside, allergies and sinusitis can also bring about laryngitis.

A lesser acknowledged cause of laryngitis is gastroesopheageal reflux disorder (GERD). Individuals with GERD suffer from a lower esophageal sphincter (named Les) who has decided to take a vacation from his job. Instead of holding down the door between the stomach and the esophagus, Les allows hydrochloric acid imbued gastric juices to sneak up into the voice box. The voice box is not lined with velvet, but with another delicate substance- mucous membranes. Renegade gastric acid burns these membranes. This results in the raspy phonation we associate with laryngitis. Gastric juices especially love escaping to the voice box while the patient sleeps. However, staying awake for days on end will not solve the problem.

In fact, the night life itself has been implicated as a contributing factor to laryngitis. The combined irritants of air pollution, cigarette smoke, cold drafts and alcohol can trigger laryngeal lassitude. This might feature large in a night-lifestyled individual. Club-hopping in winter covers all the aforementioned risks. Abusing already distressed vocal cords only adds insult to injury.

A more serious cause of laryngitis is a benign or malignant tumor of the vocal cords. By taking up space on the vocal cords, tumors disrupt the normal vibrational mobility of the larynx, rendering the speaker practically speechless. Alternately, parents should be made aware that laryngitis may herald the onset of a potentially fatal childhood disease, acute epiglottitis. Any child who has laryngitis accompanied by a sore throat, fever, drooling, and a croupy cough should be evaluated immediately.

The best laryngitis treatment eradicates the cause. As mentioned, sometimes laryngitis results from underlying pathology. Because of the remote possibility that laryngitis could be the symptom of a more serious disease, this article can not advise you about treatment modalities. More important than listing the obvious home remedies like lozenges, topical anaesthetics, hot steam, clean air, extra fluids and a short term vow of silence, we’ll talk about when it is important for you to call your doctor.

View the onset of a sore throat as a red flag. Heed the warning. A sore throat may mean that your immune system is on alert. When an upper respiratory infection strikes, the tonsils operate as a first line of defense and you feel the call to action. Most people do not require medical intervention for a sore throat with laryngitis. However, laryngitis alone demands a physician’s attention if you are a person living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, sickle cell anemia, organ transplant, steroid therapy, or kidney dialysis. In rare instances, a persistent sore throat indicates pharyngeal cancer. Notwithstanding, you should call the doctor if laryngitis is accompanied by any of the following: wheezing, earache, rash, bloody sputum, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, extreme trouble swallowing, fever over 101, and stiff neck with migraine headache.

In many ways, a sore throat and laryngitis are a helpful warning to the individual that they have pushed themselves too hard. If this is you, quit talking, retire early, and treat yourself well. These simple responses to early laryngitis might be enough to thwart a worsening condition. And now, a little information on prevention.

Your nose is a humidified air treatment corridor. Not only does it hold rings, it also filters bacteria, warms the cold, and moisturizes dry air. So, breathing through your nose rather than your mouth actually helps to prevent laryngitis. A lifestyle that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables while avoiding cigarettes and excess alcohol helps to prevent laryngitis. If you’ve been diagnosed with GERD, don’t eat before bedtime, and sleep with your head elevated. Whispering is worse for your vocal cords than talking, so pass notes to communicate.

And remember, dead air is always acceptable for the DJ with laryngitis.

© 2010 Jessica Faller Berger. All rights reserved. Any use of these files electronically or otherwise is strictly prohibited.