The term “voicebox” is fairly deceptive. As a child, you might have interpreted the phrase literally and envisioned that a mechanical looking cube sits at the center of your throat, responsible for all your vocalizations. Your actual voicebox is not really box-like at all and is a bit stranger.
When people use the phrase “voicebox,” they’re usually talking about an organ in your throat called the larynx. (Vocal cords would be a much more accurate term.) And your personal, unique voice is produced by your larynx.
As air moves through your trachea, your larynx causes that air to vibrate. Your voice is actually made of these vibrations. Your voice is formed into the distinct sound of your verbal enunciation by your lips and other soft tissue of the mouth. But the tone comes from your larynx. Which is why, periodically, you may encounter illnesses or conditions that make you lose your voice. And your voice will sound raspy, thin or, simply fail to work at all.
This is usually due to a condition called laryngitis.
What’s the problem with your voice
Picture your larynx as a tube with a couple of flaps inside. These flaps will vibrate when air moves over them. This vibration creates sound, and this sound is your voice. Your vocal cords work just like this.
This deceptively basic function normally works perfectly. But the sound of your voice can be minimized if anything inhibits that vibration. Laryngitis is typically the cause.
But sometimes there can be other reasons that your vocal cords won’t function. Here are a few:
- Paralysis of the vocal cords
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux)
- Neurological reasons
- Damage to your vocal cords
- Nodules or cysts on your vocal cords
However, you should try treating laryngitis first since that is normally the cause.
Laryngitis, what is it?
Inflammation is one of your body’s primary defense mechanisms, and it can occur for many reasons. When the vocal cords become inflamed laryngitis is the result. The basic function of your larynx can be hampered by this swelling. When they are inflamed, your vocal cords are unable to vibrate correctly. Because of this, the air passing through your trachea gets no vibrations. You lose your voice in other words.
This can happen because of illness or injury. So how does laryngitis occur? Well, there are two primary types of laryngitis and the symptoms will depend on which one you’re dealing with.
Acute laryngitis
The most widespread kind of laryngitis is known as acute laryngitis. This basically means that your affliction will last a standard amount of time. For most individuals, laryngitis will take care of itself within a few weeks. There’s not even anything you really need to do.
Some other illness or infection is usually the cause of acute laryngitis. Often, this includes:
- The common cold
- Bronchitis
- Influenza
- Sinus infections
If you have acute laryngitis, you’ll most likely experience symptoms that last anywhere between a few days to a few weeks (three weeks is the standard that most ENTs will give you). If you give your voice sufficient rest it will recover on its own.
Chronic laryngitis
Chronic laryngitis happens when your laryngitis doesn’t go away after a few weeks like it normally does. Symptoms linger for months, or longer. Here are some things that can cause this condition:
- Irritation caused by medications
- Smoking (and yes, that includes vaping)
- Throat injuries (such as a collision)
- Infections and disease (like persistent sinus infections)
- To much yelling, screaming, singing, or other overuse of your voice
- Exposure to irritants, like chemicals
The root cause will dictate the treatment in these cases. In some cases, chronic laryngitis can eventually cause damage to the vocal cords or cause polyps or nodules to form on the larynx. So when is it time to consult your doctor? Well, once you pass that three week mark (or get close to it) it’s a good time, or earlier if the pain is too much to take.
In other words, if your laryngitis does not clear up on its own, it’s essential to make an appointment with us to get to the bottom of what’s happening!
Treating laryngitis
Laryngitis is usually treated at home. Even when patients do nothing special or extra, the symptoms will typically go away by themselves within a few days to a few weeks. Symptoms can be reduced to improve general comfort by using home remedies. Some of the most common include the following:
- Avoid decongestants, as these will effectively dry out your throat
- Drink lots of fluid and a good deal of water
- Rest your voice. Try to talk as little as you can
- Try gargling salt water (the warm salt water is helpful for inflammation)
- Turn on a humidifier. Keep that humidifier running
We can suggest some treatments that might make you feel better and reduce swelling if your laryngitis doesn’t clear itself up in a couple of weeks. Here are a few:
- Voice therapy: You might need to learn a new way of talking that’s less straining on your vocal cords if you have chronic laryngitis that just won’t go away. You can use voice therapy to help with this.
- Antibiotics: This strategy is not really prevalent, laryngitis is rarely a result of a bacterial infection, so antibiotics hardly ever do any good at all. Still, there are rare instances where antibiotics may be appropriate.
- Corticosteroids: If you really need to speak (maybe you have a big presentation) this short-term solution may be used. The symptoms of your laryngitis, including inflammation, will be reduced by the steroid treatment. However, this option isn’t intended to be long-term.
You will get your voice back
Laryngitis is an incredibly common affliction. And the good news is that your voice will (almost) always return from this little vacation, particularly once the root condition is taken care of. Your immune system will usually take care of this on its own.
So when your vocal cords start hurting, and your voice starts to waver, it’s a good plan to listen to your body. Your larynx is, after all, a lot cooler than a simple box and is also an important part of how you hear.
Call us for a consultation to talk about any concerns you might have.