Laryngitis

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Home Treatment

Laryngitis symptoms usually go away on their own within 2 weeks. You can help speed your recovery with the following home treatment:

Rest your voice. You do not have to stop speaking entirely, but use your voice as little as possible. Speak softly but do not whisper because whispering can actually irritate your larynx more than speaking softly. Avoid talking on the telephone or trying to speak loudly.
Try not to clear your throat. This can cause further injury and inflammation to your larynx. Taking a nonprescription cough suppressant medicine may help if you have a dry cough that does not produce mucus.
Stop smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke. Cigarette smoke irritates the throat and larynx and makes existing inflammation worse.
Use a humidifier in your home. Humidity helps to thin the mucus in the nasal membranes that causes stuffiness or postnasal drip.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Relieve nasal stuffiness. The nose helps to humidify inhaled air, which keeps mucus at its proper consistency. A saline nasal wash may help.
Treat and prevent gastroesophageal reflux. To help prevent or reduce reflux that can irritate or damage your larynx, try not to eat right before you go to bed, reduce the amount of coffee and alcohol you drink, and eat healthy foods. Taking nonprescription acid reducers can help when these prevention measures are not enough.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: December 28, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.