Laryngitis (patient information): Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
m (Bot: Removing from Primary care)
 
(8 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Laryngitis (patient information)}}
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Laryngitis|here]]'''
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Laryngitis|here]]'''
{{SI}}


{{CMG}}; '''Assistant Editor-in-Chief:''' Alexandra M. Palmer
{{CMG}}; '''Assistant Editor-in-Chief:''' Alexandra M. Palmer
Line 32: Line 31:
*[[Epiglottitis]]
*[[Epiglottitis]]


==How do I know I have Laryngitis?==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
A [[physical examination]] can determine whether [[hoarseness]] is caused by a [[respiratory tract infection]].
 
Patients with lasting [[hoarseness]] (especially smokers) will need to see an [[ear]], [[nose]], and [[throat]] doctor ([[otolaryngologist]]) for tests of the [[throat]] and [[upper airway]].
 
==When to seek urgent medical care==
Call your [[health care provider]] if:
Call your [[health care provider]] if:
*A small child who is not teething has difficulty [[breathing]], [[swallowing]], or is drooling
*A small child who is not teething has difficulty [[breathing]], [[swallowing]], or is drooling
*A child less than 3 months old has [[hoarseness]]
*A child less than 3 months old has [[hoarseness]]
*[[Hoarseness]] has lasted for more than 1 week in a child, or 2 weeks in an adult
*[[Hoarseness]] has lasted for more than 1 week in a child, or 2 weeks in an adult
==Diagnosis==
A [[physical examination]] can determine whether [[hoarseness]] is caused by a [[respiratory tract infection]].
Patients with lasting [[hoarseness]] (especially smokers) will need to see an [[ear]], [[nose]], and [[throat]] doctor ([[otolaryngologist]]) for tests of the [[throat]] and [[upper airway]].


==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==
Line 48: Line 46:
Resting your [[voice]] helps by reducing [[inflammation]] of the [[vocal cords]]. A humidifier may soothe the scratchy feeling that comes with [[laryngitis]]. [[Decongestants]] and [[painkillers]] may relieve the symptoms of an [[upper respiratory infection]], if you have one.
Resting your [[voice]] helps by reducing [[inflammation]] of the [[vocal cords]]. A humidifier may soothe the scratchy feeling that comes with [[laryngitis]]. [[Decongestants]] and [[painkillers]] may relieve the symptoms of an [[upper respiratory infection]], if you have one.


==Where to find medical care for Laryngitis==
==Where to find medical care for Laryngitis?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Laryngitis}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Laryngitis]
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Laryngitis}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Laryngitis]


==Prevention of Laryngitis==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
[[Laryngitis]] that is not caused by a serious [[condition]] should get better.
 
==Possible complications==
Rarely, severe [[respiratory distress]] may develop. This will require medical attention.
 
==Prevention==
*Try to avoid people who have [[upper respiratory infections]] during [[cold]] and [[flu]] season.
*Try to avoid people who have [[upper respiratory infections]] during [[cold]] and [[flu]] season.
*Wash your [[hands]] regularly.
*Wash your [[hands]] regularly.
Line 57: Line 61:


Stopping smoking may help prevent [[tumors]] of the [[head]] and [[neck]] or [[lungs]], which may lead to [[hoarseness]].
Stopping smoking may help prevent [[tumors]] of the [[head]] and [[neck]] or [[lungs]], which may lead to [[hoarseness]].
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)==
[[Laryngitis]] that is not caused by a serious [[condition]] should get better.
==Possible complications==
Rarely, severe [[respiratory distress]] may develop. This will require medical attention.


==Sources==
==Sources==
[http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001385.htm]
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001385.htm
{{WH}}
{{WS}}


[[Category:Disease state]]
[[Category:Mature chapter]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Pulmonary patient information]]
[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Inflammations]]
[[Category:Otolaryngologic Disease]]
[[Category:Otolaryngology]]
[[Category:Pulmonology]]
[[Category:Pulmonology]]
[[Category:Otolaryngology patient information]]
[[Category:Emergency mdicine]]
[[Category:Otolaryngology]]
[[Category:Up-To-Date]]
 
[[Category:Infectious disease]]
{{SIB}}
[[Category:Gynecology]]
{{WH}}
[[Category:Urology]]
{{WS}}
[[Category:Pediatrics]]

Latest revision as of 22:28, 29 July 2020

Laryngitis

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Diagnosis

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Laryngitis?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

Laryngitis On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Laryngitis

Videos on Laryngitis

FDA on Laryngitis

CDC on Laryngitis

Laryngitis in the news

Blogs on Laryngitis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Laryngitis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Laryngitis

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer

Overview

Laryngitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the voice box (larynx) that is usually associated with hoarseness or loss of voice.

What are the symptoms of Laryngitis?

What causes Laryngitis?

The voice box (larynx) is located at the top of the airway to the lungs (trachea). The larynx contains the vocal cords. When the vocal cords become inflamed or infected, they swell. This can cause hoarseness, and may sometimes block the airway.

The most common form of laryngitis is an infection caused by a virus. It may also be caused by:

Laryngitis often occurs with an upper respiratory infection.

Several forms of laryngitis occur in children that can lead to dangerous or fatal respiratory blockage. These forms include:

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if:

  • A small child who is not teething has difficulty breathing, swallowing, or is drooling
  • A child less than 3 months old has hoarseness
  • Hoarseness has lasted for more than 1 week in a child, or 2 weeks in an adult

Diagnosis

A physical examination can determine whether hoarseness is caused by a respiratory tract infection. Patients with lasting hoarseness (especially smokers) will need to see an ear, nose, and throat doctor (otolaryngologist) for tests of the throat and upper airway.

Treatment options

Because most common laryngitis is caused by a virus, antibiotics may not help. Your health care provider will make this decision.

Resting your voice helps by reducing inflammation of the vocal cords. A humidifier may soothe the scratchy feeling that comes with laryngitis. Decongestants and painkillers may relieve the symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, if you have one.

Where to find medical care for Laryngitis?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Laryngitis

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Laryngitis that is not caused by a serious condition should get better.

Possible complications

Rarely, severe respiratory distress may develop. This will require medical attention.

Prevention

Stopping smoking may help prevent tumors of the head and neck or lungs, which may lead to hoarseness.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001385.htm Template:WH Template:WS