General Chat

Thank you very much, it does sound like I have laryngitis. I need to have lots of sleep I think. I am having my tonsils out in 2 weeks time so I wont be able to smoke, now seems as good a time as any to give up.

Hope this helps, I found it by googling: " Laryngitis, an inflammation in the vocal cords in the larynx, has many causes. Symptoms Laryngitis is characterized by a weak, hoarse, gravely voice, sore throat, often fever, cough (usually dry and nonproductive), a tickling in the back of the throat, and difficulty swallowing. The most common cause is a viral infection. Usually, laryngitis is self-limiting. However, children's croup (see croup on the Pediatrics Page) or acute epiglottitis can present like laryngitis. Like a cough, laryngitis may hang around after the acute infection is over. You can recognize this by noting that the fever and ill feeling is over, but that the hoarseness may continue for several days to a week or longer. Laryngitis is often irritative in nature. Singers, politicians, auctioneers, and cheerleaders sometimes loose their voices as a result of their activities. For most of us, cheering at a game is a common cause of this condition. Young children get the same thing, most commonly from strenuous crying or shouting while playing. Environmental causes such as smoking or being in an environment with second-hand tobacco smoke can also cause laryngitis. In the industrial or school environment, exposure to irritating chemicals can also lead to similar symptoms. Treatment Suck on cough drop, a throat lozenge or hard candy. Don't smoke. Avoid places where cigarettes are smoked. A humidifier, preferably a cool mist ultrasonic humidifier, will help. These are more expensive than the usual vaporizer, but are safer and more effective. If nothing you have tried is totally clearing your symptoms, try standing in a hot shower. You can use aspirin, Ibuprofen or Tylenol for the temperature, muscle discomfort and pain. Don't give aspirin to someone less than 19 years of age. It can trigger an attack of Reyes Syndrome. Gargle with warm salt solution (1/2 tsp salt in 1 cup of water). Speak softly, but don't whisper. Use a notebook and pencil to communicate. Drink warm liquids like hot Tang or honey and lemon. When to see a physician If you have difficulty breathing. If you have a fever over 101 degrees. If you have difficulty swallowing. If you have a deep cough or, in a young child, a cough like the bark of a seal. If you have brown, green or yellow sputum. If you are hoarse for one month without any identifiable cause. If your symptoms are severe enough to indicate that you need additional help. If you are too ill to carry on normal activities. If you are gasping or drooling. " nell please give up the fags - they can't do you any good and they will do you harm. I've lost many family members through smoking and I have always associated lighting up with coughing.

Help, cures needed if possible please. Yesterday afternoon I started to get a sore throat, by last night I had lost my voice, went to bed but couldnt sleep as my throat was extremly sore (I couldnt swallow). Today I feel very sorry for myself and still cant be heard. Hubby thinks I may have Laryngitis and wants me to see an emergency doctor but I am being a bad patient and come on here instead. I feel that bad I have not even had a ciggie today.