Laryngitis? Help!?!
Question: Hey guys. I've been having Laryngitis for the past 2 days. It started out as a sore throat then I decided to gargle with Listerine (BOY was I stupid!) and the next day I could barely talk. The day after that, I couldn't talk as clearly as the day before and I've been drinking honey with lemon juice.... is that ok? I don't want to lose my voice forever! I have heard of the two main causes... overusing your voice and the common virus. What should I do? I really don't want to be stuck with this with neighbors saying "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING!!!". Should I gargle with Listerine? What should I do? Can I ever talk again? How long will this last? HELP!
P.S. I have been generating mucus and whenever I cough, it seems to come out as well. Does the mucus have to do with this annoying laryngitis?
Answers: Hey guys. I've been having Laryngitis for the past 2 days. It started out as a sore throat then I decided to gargle with Listerine (BOY was I stupid!) and the next day I could barely talk. The day after that, I couldn't talk as clearly as the day before and I've been drinking honey with lemon juice.... is that ok? I don't want to lose my voice forever! I have heard of the two main causes... overusing your voice and the common virus. What should I do? I really don't want to be stuck with this with neighbors saying "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING!!!". Should I gargle with Listerine? What should I do? Can I ever talk again? How long will this last? HELP!
P.S. I have been generating mucus and whenever I cough, it seems to come out as well. Does the mucus have to do with this annoying laryngitis?
The main symptom of laryngitis is a hoarse, weak, raspy, or breathy voice. In some cases, you may not be able to talk at all. You may have a sore throat before you begin to have voice problems, and you may continue to have some degree of throat discomfort as the quality of your voice declines.
You may first notice voice-related symptoms when you wake up in the morning. It may take more effort for you to speak, and your voice may not sound normal. You also may cough or feel an urge to clear your throat, especially if your condition is caused by a virus or other infection.
Symptoms are usually temporary unless there is another underlying problem. If your symptoms also include severe pain, difficulty swallowing, coughing up blood, or a noticeable lump in your neck, you should see a health professional right away. A child who has severe pain, drooling, and difficulty breathing may have epiglottitis, a serious condition that requires emergency care.
Listrine is for oral hygien like gingivitis and dental plaque and not for laryngitis
Most often, laryngitis is caused by an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold. Home treatment measures similar to those used for a cold, such as resting your voice and drinking fluids, are usually all that is needed. Laryngitis caused by overuse also will go away with voice rest and other home treatment measures. However, if the problem persists or keeps coming back, voice training may be needed.
Medications are sometimes appropriate to cure laryngitis or to treat symptoms that may make it worse. For example, nonprescription decongestants may be used to relieve a stuffy nose caused by a cold or allergy. When congestion is relieved, the nose can add moisture to (humidify) the air that you breathe, which decreases irritation of the larynx. Your health professional can recommend when to use these medications and which specific brands will fit your needs.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common cause of laryngitis. Home treatment measures to help decrease the amount of stomach acid produced may help manage the problem. Over-the-counter or prescription medications may also be needed. If GERD is not treated and it becomes a chronic condition, it could cause long-term hoarseness and sores (ulcers) on the larynx.
Other conditions with symptoms similar to laryngitis will require treatment according to the specific problem.
You need antibiotics and antiinflammatories to get rid of it faster. Any other remedy would not work as fast.
Hi,
The mucus is RELATED to the laryngitis. You PROBABLY have :
1. SINUS infection OR sinusitis, causing post-nasal drip.
2. The POST-NASAL drip is REALLY "caustic" to the tender throat tissues, and it is causing PHARYGITIS and LARYNGITIS. (or, a SEVERELY inflamed THROAT--from the BACK of the MOUTH/UPPER AIRWAY below the nose to the TOP of the vocal cords, AND vocal cords).
3. THICK mucus from the nose/nasal passages that are clinging to the throat/will possibly stick to the vocal cords at times irritating them and possibly making them spasms WORSE, possibly at the WORST case scenario cause a laryngo-spasm making breathing difficult and scary.
4. Possible swelling of the laryngx that can make talking AND breathing difficult if it continues to swell OR if it spasms. (this can be SERIOUS).
Suggestions:
1. NO listerine other than to SWISH in your mouth GENTLY and if possible the GENTLER listerine---like the Vanilla kind as it will still kill the germs but, won't be as damaging to the tissues....and NO GARGLING with it!! YOU CAN just brush you teeth WITH it (pour some in small cup--tiny bit, tip sideways, dip tooth brush bristles in it while toothpaste is on it, and use that instead of water, to brush teeth. This will help kill the germs in the mouth instead of gargling or swishing in the mouth). CHANGE your toothbrush when you are feeling better to lessen the chance of getting sick again.
2. SALT WATER to gargle with....WARM, not HOT....with SALT (sea salt is fine, or table salt....not OVERLY SALTY....just enough to disolve and make it taste a little salty, but not really nasty). Swish a SMALL amount at a time in mouth, tip head back SLIGHTLY and hold a moment---5 seconds is fine, and spit out. REPEAT...4-8 ounces every 8 hours should be fine.
3. LIQUID ANTI-ACID....small amount, less than the usual dosage, swallow it SLOWLY. This will COAT and protect and HELP HEAL the damage to the tissues from the caustic post nasal drip. 3-4 times a day, do NOT exceed the maximum amount daily....maylox or mylanta (generic is fine, NOT PEPTO).
4. Mucinex or Robitussin...but, you want the GIUFFENISEN, not the DM. This will help THIN the mucus.
Since you are saying you have MUCUS, I am guessing it is not just a case of "overuse" but, rather, common virus causing this.
You can try a few days of sudafed to dry up and open the sinuses, with a little benedry (if you can tolerate those two medications....SUDAFED sometimes gives a fast heart rate, and can make you feel jittery so, the 4 hour regular ones should be fine for 2 doses a day so you can sleep at night, and the benedryl at night...as it can make you sleepy. The sudafed PE may be fine---never tried it myself, always used the original....BUT, again....only if you can tolerate those 2 drugs).
This is what I usually do myself and for my family members when this happens to us. I have had pharygitis MANY times, and LARYGITIS to where my throat swelled shut a few times....all from post nasal drip and viral infections. If it gets worse, or you have a hard time breathing....definitely go to the ER IMMEDIATELY by AMBULANCE....the AMBULANCE can give you something to help you breath or protect your airway if needed.
I have been in healthcare since the late 80's otherwise.
Good luck to you!! Oh, and drink lots of fluids.....