From a sore throat to losing your voice, laryngitis can be a painful way to swallow the harsh fact that your body is run-down.
Lasting usually for the course of a week,
Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box (larynx) from overuse, irritation or infection.
Most cases of laryngitis are triggered by temporary viral infection or vocal strain and aren't serious, but can lead to sore throats, losing your voice, headache and tiredness as well as swollen neck glands.
How do you treat laryngitis?
Laryngitis is usually caused by a virus so antibiotics are not the answer. Your immune system usually clears viral infections quickly, but sometimes finding the perfect treatment can be a mixed approach.
Here are some of the top treatment options to restore your throat (and health) back to top shape:
- Not treating is an option: as laryngitis usually gets better within a few days. If the symptoms persist, consider taking another treatment on board to ease with the pain and discomfort before going to a doctor.
- Keep hydrayted: Although it can be tempting not to drink when your throat is swollen and sore, be sure to keep sipping on warm water. Add a drop of honey and lemon to soothe the sore throat, as well as staying hydrated, as dehydration can increase feelings of tiredness and headaches.
- To ease a sore throat: Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease pain, headache, and fever. To keep symptoms to a minimum it is best to take a dose at regular intervals as recommended on the packet of medication rather than now and then.
- Gargles, lozenges, and sprays: Invest in these handbag staples which you can buy over the counter can help to soothe a sore throat but, again, will do little to help with soreness in the larynx. These can complement a painkiller in downplaying symptoms.
- Breathing in humidified air may help. The theory is that moisture in the airways may be soothing and may help to clear secretions. Humidifiers are available from most large pharmacies but can be expensive.
How long will it last?
Laryngitis typically lasts a week, with the onset becoming increasingly worse over the initial two or three days. If symptoms persist past this, visit your doctor for a check-up and advice on how best to beat your winter ailment.
