Can Stress Cause Laryngitis?

Stress is something we all experience, but can stress cause laryngitis? As one of the top ENT clinics in London, Medstar Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Clinic sees many patients dealing with laryngitis and the impact stress can have on voice issues. 

In this article, we will explore the connection between stress and laryngitis, covering topics like whether laryngitis is contagious, how long it usually lasts, and the best treatments available—especially our own services provided at Medstar Clinic. Let’s start by understanding laryngitis and stress and their correlation!

Laryngitis and Stress

Scientific studies have shown that high levels of stress can negatively impact your vocal cords. When we are stressed, our muscles throughout the body tend to tighten. This includes the tiny muscles in our throat that control voice production. 

Known as muscle tension dysphonia, excess tension in the larynx muscles is one of the primary ways that stress can potentially cause or exacerbate symptoms of laryngitis. The link between stress and laryngitis makes sense when you think about it. 

Public speaking, argumentative conversations, and loud environments—any situation that puts added strain on our voices or makes us feel anxious could induce laryngitis. Problems like post-nasal drip from allergies or acid reflux, both triggered or worsened by stress, may also cause laryngitis. 

Unfortunately, the very strained, raspy voice that results from laryngitis then becomes a source of stress all on its own! It is a vicious cycle many patients have experienced. However, there are treatment options offered by ENT specialists like our doctors at Medstar to cure laryngitis.

Is Laryngitis Infectious Contagious?

The good news is that in most cases, laryngitis itself is not considered a contagious infectious disease. It does not spread from person to person through casual contact or respiratory droplets like a cold or the flu. 

Laryngitis is usually the result of local irritation or inflammation in the larynx, often brought on by overuse, allergies, reflux, or other non-infectious triggers. However, laryngitis can sometimes be caused by a bacterial or viral upper respiratory infection—in those situations it would be contagious. 

So to be on the safe side, it is best to avoid close contact if laryngitis symptoms appear during a time of year when colds are prevalent in your community. As always, practicing good hygiene helps prevent the spread of germs. If you would like to learn more about laryngitis, make sure to check out “Can Hay Fever Cause Laryngitis”.

How Long Does Laryngitis Last in Adults?

The duration of laryngitis can vary greatly depending on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms. As specialists in laryngology, here are some general guidelines our doctors at Medstar Clinic follow for how long laryngitis may last:

• Viral laryngitis caused by a cold usually resolves within 1-2 weeks.

• Bacterial laryngitis may clear up within a few days of antibiotics but can last 2-3 weeks without treatment.

• Laryngitis from overuse or reflux may improve gradually over a few days of voice rest but can persist for 1-2 weeks if symptoms don't resolve.

• In rare cases, laryngitis lasts for months if caused by a problem requiring medical evaluation and treatment, like vocal polyps or nodules.

Proper treatment and managing your voice during recovery are key to avoiding long-term or recurrent laryngitis. Our ENT specialists can determine the underlying cause and recommend the right treatment plan for your situation.

How Do You Get Rid of Laryngitis Fast?

The most effective way to get quick relief from laryngitis focuses on rest, hydration, medications if needed, and reducing anxiety. Some top tips our Medstar Clinic doctors often recommend include:

• Completely refrain from speaking unless absolutely necessary and avoid yelling or crowded, noisy places as much as possible. Your voice needs rest!

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially warm liquids, to keep your throat moist and ease discomfort. Herbal teas with honey can help.

• Use over-the-counter lozenges, throat sprays, or medications containing lidocaine to temporarily numb pain.

• Apply a warm compress to the throat for 15 minutes several times a day to relax throat muscles and reduce swelling.

• Consider anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving medication like ibuprofen to reduce throat pain and discomfort.

• Do gentle vocal warmups and stretches 2-3 times daily to prevent vocal cord adhesions from forming.

• Manage stress through relaxation techniques. High stress delays treatment of laryngitis.

Seeking prompt medical attention from our team of laryngitis experts can help identify and treat any lingering infections too. We may also refer patients experiencing ongoing stress to counselling services in our Psychotheraphy Clinic. With proper voice rest and supportive care, the majority of acute laryngitis cases clear up within about a week.

What is the Best Treatment for Laryngitis?

When it comes to treating laryngitis, one size does not fit all. The best approach depends on the individual cause and severity in each case. Here are some of the top treatment options our specialists may recommend for laryngitis:

• Vocal hygiene and voice rest to allow inflamed vocal cords time to heal. Our speech therapists provide guidance.

• Over-the-counter medications lozenges for symptoms. Occasionally antibiotics if a bacterial infection is present. Steroid injections or pills for severe cases.

• Steam inhalation therapy with essential oils to soothe throat irritation.

• Lifestyle changes like managing acid reflux or stress.

• Botox injection to paralyse overly tight larynx muscles in select cases.

• Vocal cord surgery is very rare and only used to fix structural issues.

• Voice therapy with a speech therapist to help retrain vocal cord function.

Medstar Clinic’s laryngitis specialists tailor treatment plans based on each patient's unique history and needs. We offer comprehensive care using the latest medical and alternative therapies available. To learn more about our treatment services, book an appointment online with our team today.

You can make your appointment easily via our website or by downloading the Medstar app on the Google Play Store or App Store. By using the Medstar app, you can also gain online access to your results and prescriptions. If you want direct contact with our team, you can also choose between call, email, or WhatsApp!

Laryngitis Treatment in London

As a top provider of ear, nose and throat care in London, Medstar Clinic's experienced ENT doctors are well-versed in diagnosing and managing all types of laryngitis. Located in London, our state-of-the-art clinics feature the latest medical equipment for thorough larynx examinations. Patients have direct access to specialised services like:

• Flexible nasendoscopy allows doctors to view vocal cords using a thin, flexible camera tube inserted through the nose. This is the gold standard for laryngitis diagnosis.

• Our expert speech therapists help retrain vocal technique and prevent recurring laryngitis issues through vocal therapy programs.

• Botox treatment for spasmodic laryngitis. Botox is injected to relax tightened larynx muscles causing voice issues.

• Voice disorder surgeries are rarely needed, but our ENT surgeons perform procedures to remove vocal polyps or nodules.

• Allergy testing. We identify allergies exacerbating laryngitis using skin prick tests studied by allergy specialists.

• Acupuncture and massage therapy are effective complementary treatments offered onsite to ease laryngitis pain and tension.

With a multidisciplinary team devoted exclusively to voice and throat disorders, Medstar Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Clinic in London delivers comprehensive care for any type or stage of laryngitis. Contact us to discuss treatment options tailored for your needs. We are committed to restoring your healthy, confident voice!

#medicalspecialties