Acute inflammation of the larynx may come on with a cold, or following a cold.

Etiology

Catching cold, or over-use of the voice, may be the cause of the irritation and inflammation in this disease. It is a derangement which public speakers often develop. Foreign bodies may lodge in the air-passages and create trouble. It may be brought on from accidental poisoning.

Symptoms

A tickling sensation is felt in the larynx. Cough follows. Where the irritation and inflammation are severe the patient may lose his voice. He will talk in a whisper or in a husky voice. If he is a lawyer or a public speaker, and uses his voice under such circumstances, he may lose his voice completely. The edematous state of the mucus membrane caused by the inflammation may become so great that the voice will be lost. This, of course, is only temporary. Talking or singing increases the edema.

Treatment

Rest the voice. Stop food for a few days; then eat fruit for a few days following the fast. Gradually increase the amount of food; but if a few days of fasting do not restore the voice, the fasting should be continued. As soon as the voice has returned, if there is still a little soreness, the patient may use fresh, uncooked fruit morning, noon, and night until the symptoms have passed away.