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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffSome self-care methods and home treatments may relieve the symptoms of laryngitis and reduce strain on your voice:
- Breathe moist air. Use a humidifier to keep the air throughout your home or office moist. Inhale steam from a bowl of hot water or a hot shower.
- Rest your voice as much as possible. Avoid talking or singing too loudly or for too long. If you need to speak before large groups, try to use a microphone or megaphone.
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (avoid alcohol and caffeine).
- Moisten your throat. Try sucking on lozenges, gargling with salt water or chewing a piece of gum.
- Avoid decongestants. These medications can dry out the throat.
- Avoid whispering. This puts even more strain on your voice than normal speech does.
References
- 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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