Lost Your Voice? Five Home Remedies for Laryngitis

Your throat is so sore and dry, it probably hurts to swallow. Your voice is weak and hoarse. And this annoying, tickling sensation has you wanting to clear your throat all day long.

You have laryngitis. And there are many things that can cause this condition. Sometimes, laryngitis is a result of an illness, like a cold, the flu, sinusitis, or bronchitis. Other times, laryngitis is caused by exposure to some irritant, like cigarette smoke, or excessive alcohol.

You can also get laryngitis from putting too much strain on your vocal cords. Sitting up all night chatting with old friends, singing with a little too much gusto, or cheering too loud at a baseball game can all cause laryngitis.

Laryngitis isn't usually a severe condition. In fact, it will usually go away on its own in a few days to a week. But here are some home remedies that will help you get rid of the pain and discomfort of laryngitis a little faster.

If you have laryngitis, keep your throat moist.

Keeping your throat moist as much as possible is the first step to curing laryngitis.

Carry a bottle of lukewarm water or juice with you, and sip from it constantly. You can also drink warm tea with honey. Avoid drinking liquids that are too hot or cold.

Hot toddies are not a good home remedy for laryngitis.

People have often used hot toddies as a home remedy for laryngitis. But alcohol will dry out your throat, which will worsen or prolong your laryngitis.

Giving your vocal cords a rest is the best thing you can do for laryngitis.

Laryngitis is often an injury caused by overuse of your vocal cords. And, just like you'd rest a sprained ankle or wrist, you should rest injured, overworked vocal cords.

Don't talk if you can help it. And avoid activities that would put extreme stress on your vocal cords, like singing, or shouting.

Don't whisper.

It would seem like whispering would be less stressful on your vocal cords. But whispering actually puts more strain on your voice than talking normally does. In fact, whispering can be as straining as shouting. So, if you must speak, don't whisper.

Gargling does more harm than good.

You've probably been told that gargling with warm saltwater is the best cure for laryngitis. But gargling actually puts more of a strain on your already overworked vocal cords.

When to see a doctor?

Laryngitis isn't usually a serious condition. In fact, you can usually treat laryngitis at home. But those with laryngitis should see a doctor if:

* You have extreme difficulty swallowing. This could mean that swelling is blocking your airway, which could be life-threatening.

* You're coughing up blood.

* Laryngitis is accompanied by severe wheezing.

* A child younger than age four has laryngitis. This could be a sign that they have croup.

* Hoarseness lasts for more than one week in a child, or two weeks in an adult.

* A child with laryngitis develops a high fever, loses their appetite, or has trouble breathing.

Having laryngitis definitely isn't fun. And, with these home remedies, you can get your voice back in no time.