Treatment for Laryngitis in Manhattan, NYC
Laryngitis, an inflammation of the voice box, disrupts airflow to your throat, causing your voice to become hoarse. Dr. Stacey L. Silvers, M.D. specializes in diagnosing and treating laryngitis at Madison ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery, conveniently located in Manhattan, NYC. While laryngitis is usually not serious and resolves within two weeks, chronic cases may require expert care. Residents of New York City experiencing persistent symptoms can trust Dr. Stacey L. Silvers, M.D. for personalized treatment to restore their voice and comfort.
What Causes Acute Laryngitis?
Acute Laryngitis typically occurs from an underlying cause. The most common causes include:
- Viral infections, similar to the flu or a cold
- Inflammation of the larynx caused by yelling or overusing your voice
- Rarely, laryngitis can be caused by diphtheria, which is a bacterial infection
What Causes Chronic Laryngitis?
Chronic laryngitis is defined as laryngitis that lasts longer than three weeks. More often than not, chronic laryngitis is caused by vocal cord injuries and strain. Vocal cord injury is caused by:
- GERD ( Acid Reflux)
- Chronic Sinusitis
- Excessive Smoking
- Overusing Vocal Cords while singing or yelling
- Excessive Alcohol Consumption
- Some Inhaled Steroid Medications
Diagnosing and Treating Laryngitis
Laryngitis can usually be diagnosed by a doctor noticing common symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, tickling in the throat, swollen lymph nodes, and shortness of breath. Based on your symptoms, your physician can tell you the proper way to treat it. Most cases of laryngitis include resting the vocal cords, drinking a lot of fluids, and avoiding smoking. In cases where laryngitis is caused by a viral infection, physicians might prescribe antibiotics to speed up healing.
Reviewed by the board-certified ENT doctor at Madison ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery
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