What should I do if I have laryngitis?

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on October 21, 2024
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Laryngitis is a common and frequent disease in otolaryngology, with patients ranging from children to adults, each showing different symptoms. In children, due to the narrow glottis and loose submucosal tissue, inflammation can cause significant swelling, potentially leading to breathing difficulties or even asphyxiation. Some children may experience a hoarse voice and a hollow-sounding cough. In adults, laryngitis primarily presents as hoarseness and difficulty speaking, with breathing difficulties being extremely rare. Treatment for laryngitis generally involves anti-inflammatory medications, steroids, and nebulized inhalation to address the symptoms, and most patients see a complete alleviation of symptoms after treatment. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
1min 6sec home-news-image

What department should I go to for laryngitis?

Laryngitis requires an examination by an otolaryngologist. It is an emergency in the field of otolaryngology and is common in infants and young children. It can cause sudden high fever in patients, with body temperature above 38.5℃, severe throat pain, breathing difficulties, and painful swallowing. In severe cases, it may also lead to a barking cough, choking, and even death. If a patient exhibits the above symptoms, an initial test with an electronic laryngoscopy can reveal significant congestion and edema of the vocal cords. In terms of treatment, laryngitis primarily requires symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment to reduce inflammation. It is also necessary to locally apply corticosteroids to lessen the congestion and swelling of the vocal cords and avoid breathing difficulties. During treatment, the patient's breathing should be closely monitored, and if choking occurs, a tracheotomy may be needed. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician and avoid self-medication.)

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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What foods should not be eaten with laryngitis?

If it's just a simple case of laryngitis, depending on the general condition of the child, if it's only hoarseness and the overall symptoms are not severe, there are usually no special restrictions. However, if there is significant laryngeal obstruction, difficulty in swallowing, or difficulty in breathing, a liquid diet should be the main focus. A light diet is easier for the child to accept and helps with a quicker recovery. The general rule is to avoid spicy and irritating foods temporarily, as these can exacerbate swelling in the throat and hinder recovery. This is something that needs attention.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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What to eat for laryngitis

Laryngitis is an emergency in otolaryngology, commonly seen in infants and toddlers. Generally, it is caused by acute inflammation that irritates the pharyngeal mucosa, mainly the vocal cords, leading to congestion and edema of the pharyngeal mucosa. Patients may exhibit sudden high fever, with a body temperature above 38°C, severe sore throat, hoarse voice, bark-like cough, and in severe cases, it may cause breathing difficulties or even lead to suffocation and death. Examination with an electronic laryngoscope can reveal severe edema of the bilateral vocal cords and incomplete closure of the glottis. In treatment, laryngitis initially requires symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment. A routine blood test should be conducted; if there is an increase in white blood cells and neutrophils, a bacterial infection should be considered, and oral administration of cephalosporins or penicillin antibiotics is effective. If lymphocytes are elevated, the patient should receive symptomatic antiviral treatment, which is also effective. Additionally, nebulized inhalation should be used to help reduce local congestion and edema. A bland diet should be maintained, avoiding spicy and irritating foods. Recovery is typically within about a week. (Please take medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Can I eat eggs with laryngitis?

Patients with laryngitis can eat eggs. Laryngitis is a common and frequent disease in otolaryngology, and it is divided into acute laryngitis and chronic laryngitis. The main causes of chronic laryngitis are long-term smoking, drinking, and physical and chemical stimulations, leading to chronic inflammation and congestion of the laryngeal mucosa. Patients will experience obvious foreign body sensation in the throat, hoarseness, and irritative cough among other symptoms. Acute laryngitis can be secondary to chronic laryngitis. When symptoms such as catching a cold or colds occur, patients will usually develop acute laryngitis, characterized by hoarseness and difficulty breathing. We should follow the physician’s guidance, promptly use an adequate amount of antibiotics and steroids for symptomatic treatment, and eliminate inflammation and edema of the throat mucosa to avoid laryngeal obstruction.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Do you have a cough from laryngitis?

Laryngitis can cause severe coughing. Laryngitis is caused by acute inflammation that affects the throat, primarily the vocal cords, leading to sudden high fevers over 38.5°C. Patients experience severe throat pain, hoarseness, irritating coughs, bark-like coughs, and in severe cases, it can lead to difficulty breathing, choking, and even death. Generally, laryngitis is more common in infants and young children and can spread through the respiratory or digestive tract. During an examination with a laryngoscope, congested and swollen bilateral vocal cords are apparent, with good mobility but incomplete closure. In terms of treatment, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatment is necessary for laryngitis. This can include oral or intravenous antibiotics, such as cephalosporins, which are effective. Additionally, corticosteroids are used to reduce local congestion and swelling. A light diet is recommended, and gradual improvement is usually seen within a week. (The use of medication should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)