Inflammation of the vocal cords, also known as laryngitis, refers to inflammation of the vocal cords and the surrounding mucous membranes, which play an important role in voice production and speech.
Inflammation of the vocal cords can be acute or chronic and is usually caused by
Viral infection: the most common cause of acute vocal cord inflammation is a viral infection, such as the common cold or flu. Viruses irritate the vocal cords and mucous membranes, causing swelling and inflammation.
Bacterial infection: Less commonly, but bacterial infection can also cause inflammation of the vocal cords.
Excessive voice use: prolonged and excessive voice exposure, such as prolonged singing or loud talking, can cause inflammation of the vocal cords.
Reflux disease: reflux of stomach acid back into the oesophagus can cause irritation of the larynx and vocal cords.
Environmental irritants: smoking, alcohol and polluted air can also contribute to irritation and inflammation of the vocal cords.
Symptoms of inflammation of the vocal cords may include hoarseness, loss or distortion of the voice, sore throat, dry cough, difficulty breathing and difficulty swallowing.
Treatment usually involves the following steps:
Rest and sound break: the most important step is to rest the vocal cords. Avoid loud talking, singing and other activities that may cause further irritation.
Fluid intake: It is important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration of the vocal cords and to help them heal.
Hot drinks and vaping: drinking hot tea or honey-lemon water can help relieve symptoms. Evaporation can also help to hydrate the mucous membranes.
Medications: Antibiotics may be prescribed by a doctor. Anti-inflammatories or expectorants may also be used to relieve symptoms.
Symptomatic treatment: throat lozenges or herbal syrups may be helpful for sore throats.
Correct speech: it is advisable to use a speech pattern that puts less strain on the vocal cords and to avoid coughing and throat-clearing movements.
If symptoms persist for a long time or worsen, seek medical advice. Chronic vocal cord inflammation may require special treatment, and in severe cases you may need the help of a vocal specialist or speech therapist to learn how to use and protect your vocal cords correctly.
Chronic laryngitis is a condition in which the laryngeal mucosa is subject to prolonged irritation or inflammation.
As a result, the laryngeal mucosa may gradually thicken and other structural changes may occur.
Non-specific chronic laryngitis: this condition is usually caused by prolonged irritation, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, respiratory irritants or prolonged exposure to sound (singing, screaming).
Specific chronic laryngitis: this can be caused by reflux disease, allergies, viruses that cause laryngitis, bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases or polyps or cysts in the area above the larynx.
Symptoms of chronic laryngitis may include hoarseness, changes in tone, loss of voice or deterioration in voice quality, sore throat and cough. Constant irritation and inflammation can cause the vocal cords to become thinner and less flexible, which in the long term can lead to vocal cord tears or polyps.
A vocal cord tear is a lesion that develops on the vocal cords as a result of long-term excessive vocal strain or poor speech habits. These lesions are small swellings or nodules on the vocal cords and can impede voice production. Constant irritation and mechanical stress can gradually damage the vocal cords, leading to a deterioration in voice quality, hoarseness and pain.
Treatment for chronic laryngitis and vocal cord tears may be similar:
Relaxation: voice rest, i.e. minimising the voice load, helping the voice ligaments to relax and recover.
Speech therapy: Speech therapy, vocal pedagogy or speech therapy can help people learn to speak correctly, which can reduce the strain on the vocal cords.
Medications: Doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatories, steroids or other medications to reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms.
Surgery: In severe cases, when vocal cord tears are persistent or do not respond to conservative treatment, surgery may be necessary.
Treating the underlying cause: If the underlying condition, such as reflux disease or allergies, is causing the problem, treating it may also be important for recovery.
It is important to take chronic laryngitis and vocal cord tears seriously and to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Early intervention can help prevent more serious problems and restore voice quality.
For laryngitis, using ointments and creams can help relieve symptoms and speed up healing.
It is important to note, however, that these products are only symptomatic treatment and are not a substitute for therapy prescribed by a doctor. The treatment of laryngitis usually requires medical supervision, especially if it is a bacterial or severe viral infection.
Soothing effect: laryngitis can be painful and irritate the throat. Balms and creams containing menthol, eucalyptus or chamomile can have a cooling and soothing effect on the larynx. This can relieve pain and discomfort.
Hydration: laryngitis often causes dryness and irritation in your throat. Balms that contain moisturizing ingredients can help prevent further irritation and relieve dryness.
Essential oils: some balms contain essential oils with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The use of such products can help relieve inflammation and fight microbes.
Vaporisation: some balsams can be used in inhalation or vaporisation devices. These products can help relieve nasal congestion and laryngeal irritation.
Herbs: balms often contain herbs such as thyme, lavender or mint. These plants may also have anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve the symptoms of laryngitis.
The natural herbal extracts and essential oils in PulmoFresh balm can help ease breathing, soothe coughs and relieve the unpleasant symptoms of colds.
The use of PulmoFresh herbal balm is recommended in case of colds, coughs and cold complaints!
Instructions for use
For massage, for rubbing in
Use 3-5 times a day, using a finger amount is recommended. The balm should be applied to the chest and back area, then thoroughly massaged and rubbed in. It is more effective before going to bed, as the essential oils released by the balm, when inhaled, promote a restful sleep
For inhalation
Add 1 teaspoon of PulmoFresh balm to half a litre of hot water and mix well. This will create a vapour which should be inhaled for about 20 minutes.