Understanding Laryngitis

Key Glossary Terms

Laryngitis
Inflammation of the voice box (larynx); can result from many causes; specific cause needs to be identified for correct diagnosis and proper treatment plan

Inflammation
Response to injury that results in swelling, redness, and/or pain

Glossary

• Laryngitis is diffuse (widespread) or local inflammation of the voice box (larynx) in response to chronic or acute irritation caused by mechanical, chemical, allergic, or infectious agents.
• This irritation usually results in redness (erythema) and swelling (edema) of any part of the larynx, and is commonly labeled laryngitis.
• Usually, the laryngitis (redness and swelling) will resolve when the irritants are removed from contact with the larynx.

• Acute laryngitis: Short-lived inflammation of the larynx
• Chronic laryngitis: Prolonged inflammation of the larynx

• If the contact with the irritant is sudden and short-lived, the laryngitis will occur abruptly and will improve when the irritant is removed.
• Common causes of acute laryngitis include:
  • Upper respiratory tract infection from bacteria, viruses, and some fungi or molds
• Other, less common, causes of acute laryngitis include:
  • Exposure to highly concentrated air pollutants (such as spray paints, oven cleaners, or other solvents)
  • Smoke inhalation during a closed-space fire
  • Deliberate inhalation of heated fumes (such as with smoking crack cocaine)
  • Blunt or penetrating trauma to the larynx

• When the exposure to the irritant is prolonged, the laryngitis will remain as long as the irritant is present
• Common causes of chronic laryngitis include:
  • Laryngopharyngeal reflux
  • Allergies
  • Tobacco smoking (cigarettes or cigars)
  • Marijuana use
  • Use of inhaled steroids or other oral inhalers
  • Some fungal and bacterial infections
  • Voice misuse or abuse
  • Chronic cough

Laryngitis results when the larynx is exposed to an irritant. Some irritants can cause both acute and chronic laryngitis; other irritants cause only one type of laryngitis.