What is laryngitis?

Laryngitis is a condition in which your voice box or vocal cords located in the throat become irritated or swollen. It usually subsides by itself within 1 to 2 weeks.

Laryngeal inflammation

Laryngeal inflammation causes various symptoms that range from mild throat discomfort to severe choking sensation, for which patients might need to visit a laryngologist. 

Symptoms

Common symptoms of laryngitis include:

• Hoarseness
• Difficulty speaking
• Sore throat
• Mild fever
• Irritating cough
• A constant need to clear your throat

Causes

• Viral or bacterial infection
• Allergy
• Acid or bile reflux
• Mechanical irritation
• Chemical substances such as smoke or air pollutants
• Systemic disease 

Laryngeal inflammation can take a chronic form i.e. chronic laryngitis (CL) or contact granuloma. CL is a pathological change of the mucosa without the disruption of the mucosal lining. Contact granuloma develops following the process of inflammation after initial trauma to the mucosa. The prevalence of CL and contact granuloma has been found to be 3.37–3.51% and 0.11%, respectively.¹

CL has been explained to be a chronic inflammation of the larynx, typically developing gradually and its underlying signs and symptoms dissolve over long periods When the larynx fails to function properly, individuals experience issues with voice as well as difficulty in aspirating into the trachea, causing breathing disturbances. Repeated chronic inflammation of the laryngeal epithelium can eventually lead to the formation of precancerous lesions, potentially giving rise to laryngeal cancer.²

Diagnosis

When you visit a doctor regarding laryngitis symptoms, they're likely to:

• Examine your throat and take something called a culture. This shows them which bacteria or virus may be causing your laryngitis
• Use an endoscope, that is a narrow tube equipped with a camera. This procedure is called laryngoscopy. It will be threaded into the throat through the nose or mouth. Anesthesia is given. This is used by the doctor to get a close-up look at your vocal cords
• If there is development of a suspicious lump or nodule in the throat or voice box area,  the doctor might recommend taking a sample of tissue for examination (biopsy)
• The doctor may also perform a skin allergy test or an X-ray for the elimination of other issues

Conventional management

This chronic inflammatory disease is difficult to manage. Proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, and prokinetics have been used for the prevention of inflammatory damage from acid or pepsin reflux. Mucolytic agents, anti-allergic agents, and anti-inflammatory medication such as corticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have also been prescribed for the reduction of chronic laryngeal inflammation. Among these agents, corticosteroids have demonstrated treatment effects; however, their long-term use can result in multiple systemic complications.

Diet and lifestyle changes

Dietary factors can potentially modulate the immune reaction involved. Many studies have reported the anti- or pro-inflammatory effects of dietary factors. Therefore, changes in dietary intake can potentially reduce the reliance on anti-inflammatory drugs without systemic complications or risk of long-term medication use.¹

Making the following dietary changes can help in the management of laryngitis:

• Spicy foods: Spicy foods have the potential to cause stomach acid to go into the throat or esophagus. This can cause heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The consumption of spicy and fatty food, as well as mints can make reflux worse.

This is supported by the research conducted by Young-Hoon Joo.² Young-Hoon Joo and colleagues conducted a study that aimed to investigate the relationship between obesity and chronic laryngitis in South Korea. The strong association between obesity and diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and certain cancers has been well recognised. Meanwhile, obesity has an association with a significant 1.5- to 2-fold increase in the risk of GERD symptoms. GERD affects the larynx and can cause the development of reflux laryngitis or laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). LPR has been thought to lead to CL.

The authors hypothesized that obesity might play an important role in CL. However, the relationship between obesity and CL has not been recognized as a significant factor.

• Include a variety of healthy foods in your diet: It is essential to eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Foods that have several vitamins, such as vitamins A, E and C, should be prioritised. These foods can also assist in keeping the mucous membranes in the throat healthy
• Minimise stress: Recognize stress and reduce the stressors you can control
• CAT: Caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco (including passive smoke) make reflux worse
• Beverages: Carbonated beverages have the potential to increase belching, which also brings up chyme
• Routine: Going to bed with a full stomach makes night-time symptoms worse. So it is recommended to wait about 2 hours after having dinner before you lie down

Foods to include

Hydrating foods

Most serious talkers as well as singers have already considered the fact that it’s important to drink a lot of water. This water does not directly “wet” or make the vocal folds moist. Swallowing water sends it down the other tube, the esophagus or the food-pipe, into your stomach. Drinking a good amount of water does make sure that the cells inside the voice box get sufficient nourishment and resilience. The effect of dehydration of the whole body on the vocal folds is that they get tired faster, and their recovery rate is slow.

What can be done about this: Drinking water, clear broths, herbal teas (especially those with soothing properties like chamomile).

Anti-inflammatory foods

Information on what anti-inflammatory foods help in inflammatory conditions can be found here and what foods can make the condition worse can be found here.

What can be done about this: Fruits (especially berries), leafy greens, turmeric, ginger.

Soft and easy-to-swallow foods

Soothing an irritated throat with soft, easy-to-swallow foods that don’t strain the vocal cords, can be very effective.

What can be done about this: Smoothies, soups, yoghurt, mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables.

Honey and herbal remedies

Honey has antibacterial and soothing properties that can be of great help in this case.

What can be done about this: Herbal teas that may help, such as liquorice root or marshmallow root tea.

Summary

Laryngitis is a condition in which the voice box or vocal cords located in the throat become irritated or swollen. Hoarseness, difficulty speaking, sore throat, fever, irritating cough and a constant need to clear the throat comprise the symptoms involved. CL has been described as a chronic inflammation of the larynx, which typically develops gradually and whose underlying signs and symptoms can wax and wane over long periods of time. Diagnosis of the condition involves throat examination, endoscopy, biopsy and scans of your throat. Proton pump inhibitors, H2 blockers, and prokinetics have been used for the prevention of inflammatory damage from acid or pepsin reflux. Changes in dietary intake can potentially reduce the reliance on anti-inflammatory drugs without systemic complications or risk of long-term medication use.

Prevention of certain foods along with the addition of anti-inflammatory foods can help in the management of the condition.

FAQs

Are there any specific herbs or natural remedies that can help?

• Slippery elm: Often taken as a lozenge or tea, slippery elm coats and soothes the throat.
• Licorice root: Used in teas, it has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
• Marshmallow root: Another herb that can form a soothing gel for the throat, available as tea or extract.
• Turmeric: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric can be added to warm water, milk, or soups to reduce throat inflammation.

Can I take supplements to help with laryngitis?

• Zinc lozenges: May help reduce the duration of a sore throat, especially if the cause is viral.
• Vitamin C: Can help support immune function and recovery, especially if laryngitis is caused by an infection.
• Echinacea: An herb that may help boost the immune system and reduce the severity of symptoms during infections.

Can certain foods make laryngitis worse at night?

• Late-night meals: Eating close to bedtime can trigger acid reflux, which can irritate the larynx. Avoiding meals at least 2-3 hours before sleeping may help.
• Acidic or greasy foods: These can worsen acid reflux, leading to increased throat irritation, especially during sleep.

Is there a link between laryngitis and food allergies?

In some cases, food allergies or sensitivities can cause throat irritation or inflammation that mimics the symptoms of laryngitis. Identifying and eliminating trigger foods may help alleviate symptoms.

How long should I stick to these dietary changes?

These dietary changes should be maintained until your laryngitis symptoms subside. It’s also beneficial to continue some practices, like staying hydrated and limiting spicy and acidic foods, to prevent future occurrences, especially if you are prone to laryngitis.

Can I eat solid foods with laryngitis?

Yes, but it’s advisable to focus on soft, easy-to-swallow foods like mashed potatoes, oatmeal, or applesauce. Solid foods that are difficult to chew may cause further irritation to the throat.

Should I avoid dairy products completely?

While some people believe dairy products increase mucus production, scientific evidence is mixed. If you feel that dairy worsens your symptoms, it’s best to limit or avoid it while you recover.