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Key Glossary TermsKey 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

What is laryngitis?
Inflammation of the Larynx
  • 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.
Two Main Types of Laryngitis
Type Determined by How Long Inflammation Lasts
  • Acute laryngitis: Short-lived inflammation of the larynx
  • Chronic laryngitis: Prolonged inflammation of the larynx
Acute Laryngitis
  • 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
Chronic Laryngitis
  • 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.

Common Causes
of Laryngitis		 Type of Laryngitis
Acute
(short-lived)		 Chronic
(longer term)
Infectious

Bacterial

 x  

Viral

 x  

Fungal

 x x
Contact

Reflux

 x x

Pollutants

 x x

Smoking

   x

Inhaled Medications

   x

Caustic Ingestions

 x x
Medical

Vocal Misuse

 x x

Vocal Abuse

   x

Trauma

 x x
Allergic

Allergies

 x x
Dryness (Laryngitis Sicca)

Dehydration

 x x

Dry Atmosphere

 x x

Mouth Breathing

 x x

Medications

 x x
Thermal

Closed-Space Fire

 x x

Crack Pipe

 x x
   
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