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Patient ResourcesVoice Disorders
Swallowing Disorders
Breathing Disorders
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LaryngitisLaryngitis is a term that describes inflammation of the larynx which is also known as swelling of the vocal folds (cords). Most often laryngitis is used to describe an acute, or sudden change to the vocal folds. Commonly this is a scenario in which someone has had vocal overuse often in the setting of a recent cold or upper respiratory tract infection. However, laryngitis can be due to a number of causes including allergies, post nasal drip, reflux, fungus, or other infections What causes the voice changes in laryngitis?In the setting of laryngitis the vocal folds are swollen. Water and other substances accumulate to disturb the delicate layers of the vocal folds. The vocal folds are unable to oscillate or vibrate as they normally would in this setting. Thus the sound produced by the larynx is distorted, causing the 'hoarse' voice associated with bouts of laryngitis. Advice is often given during an episode of laryngitis to not speak rather than "push through it" with an abnormal voice. The reason for this is when the vocal folds are not healthy the body will alter speaking habits in manners that are not easy to break once the vocal folds recover. Thus the effects of laryngitis can be long lasting.
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University of California, Irvine
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