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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Acute laryngitis
Most cases of laryngitis are temporary and improve after the underlying cause gets better. Causes of acute laryngitis include:
- Viral infections such as those that cause a cold
- Vocal strain, caused by yelling or overusing your voice
- Viruses such as measles or mumps
- Bacterial infections such as diphtheria, although this is rare
Chronic laryngitis
Laryngitis that lasts more than three weeks is known as chronic laryngitis. This type of laryngitis is generally caused by irritants over time. Chronic laryngitis can cause vocal cord strain and injuries or growths on the vocal cord (polyps or nodules). These injuries can be caused by:
- Inhaled irritants, such as chemical fumes, allergens or smoke
- Acid reflux, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Chronic sinusitis
- Excessive alcohol use
- Habitual overuse of your voice (such as with singers or cheerleaders)
- Smoking
Less common causes of chronic laryngitis include:
- Bacterial or fungal infections
- Infections with certain parasites
Other causes of chronic hoarseness include:
- Cancer
- Vocal cord paralysis, which can result from injury, stroke, a lung tumor or other health conditions
- Bowing of the vocal cords in old age
- Taking care of your voice. National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/takingcare.asp. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010.
- Lustig LR, et al. Common laryngeal disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2010. 49th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2674&searchStr=laryngitis#2674. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010
- Rubin MA, et al. Pharyngitis, sinusitis, otitis, and other upper respiratory tract infections. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2883585&searchStr=laryngitis#2883585. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010.
- Knox MA. Common infections in children. In: South-Paul JE, et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Family Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3031411&searchStr=croup. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010
- Mehanna HM, et al. Fungal laryngitis in immunocompetent patients. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology. 2004;118:379.
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