What is Laryngitis ?
Laryngitis is the medical term for inflammation and swelling of the larynx, which is also known as the voice box.
Causes:
Laryngitis is usually caused by a virus or occurs in people who overuse their voice. Occasionally, a person may develop laryngitis from bacterial infections, and rarely, from infections such as tuberculosis, syphilis, or a fungal infection. People with prolonged laryngitis should see their doctor to be checked for tumors, some of which may be cancerous. Smokers and those who consume alcohol are also at a risk of laryngitis..
Symptoms:
The most common symptoms of laryngitis
- Feeling a tickle in the throat (that may be from reflux laryngitis)
- The urge to constantly clear the throat (that may be from reflux laryngitis)
- Fever
- Cough (that can be from bronchitis orsinusitis)
- Congestion
- Hoarseness.