Lost voice how long to recover

It usually goes away by itself within 1 to 2 weeks. Laryngitis usually comes on suddenly and gets worse during the first 3 days. Laryngitis is often linked to other illnesses, such as colds and flu, so you may also have other symptoms. If you're not sure it's laryngitis, check other sore throat symptoms.

Laryngitis usually goes away on its own after 1 to 2 weeks and you do not need to see a GP. If your laryngitis is caused by an infection, the GP might prescribe antibiotics.

Laryngitis usually happens when you have an infection from a virus, such as cold or flu. Laryngoscopies carried out through the nose are not painful, but it can be uncomfortable and the tube may trigger your gag reflex, which can make you feel like you want to be sick it's highly unlikely that you actually will be sick.

Local anaesthetic can be used to numb your nose and throat, which should help reduce these feelings. If you're having persistent problems with your voice, you might be asked to talk or sing while your larynx is examined.

This may help your doctor determine why you're having problems with your voice. For laryngoscopies carried out through the mouth, general anaesthetic is used. This means you'll be asleep during the examination. You can often go home on the day you have this procedure, although an overnight stay in hospital is sometimes recommended. Your ENT specialist may also want to make sure your symptoms aren't the result of laryngeal cancer.

Alcohol and tobacco are the two main things that can increase your risk of developing laryngeal cancer. The more you drink or smoke, the higher your risk of developing laryngeal cancer. Laryngeal cancer is uncommon, but it's important to confirm it or rule it out quickly because the sooner laryngeal cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment will be.

In most cases, laryngitis gets better within a week without treatment. See your GP if your symptoms are severe or haven't improved after two weeks. Vocal therapy is a type of speech and language therapy that involves studying how you use your voice and how this may contribute to your symptoms. You may be given information and advice about any changes you can make or voice exercises you can do to prevent further damage to your larynx. Home Illnesses and conditions Ears, nose and throat Laryngitis.

Laryngitis See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About laryngitis 2. Causes of laryngitis 3. Diagnosing laryngitis 4. Treating laryngitis. About laryngitis Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx voice box. Common symptoms of laryngitis include: hoarseness difficulty speaking sore throat mild fever irritating cough a constant need to clear your throat The hoarse voice and speaking difficulties usually get worse each day you're ill and may last for up to a week after the other symptoms have gone.

Laryngitis is often linked to another illness, such as a cold , flu , throat infection pharyngitis or tonsillitis , so you might also have other symptoms such as: a headache swollen glands runny nose pain when swallowing feeling tired and achy When to seek medical help As laryngitis often gets better quickly without treatment, you normally only need to see your GP if the symptoms are particularly severe or they last longer than two weeks.

You should seek immediate medical help if you or your child experience breathing difficulties. Read more about diagnosing laryngitis Why it happens In most cases, laryngitis is caused by either: a viral infection — such as a cold or flu , or damage to your larynx — usually by straining your voice In these cases, most of the symptoms usually pass within a week.

Read more about the causes of laryngitis How laryngitis is treated Most cases of laryngitis get better without treatment within a week. Read more about treating laryngitis Can laryngitis be prevented? However, you can reduce your risk of developing the condition by: making sure you have the annual flu vaccine if recommended by your GP practising good personal hygiene — such as washing your hands before and after eating and after using the toilet avoiding close contact with people who have respiratory infections, such as a cold or flu — particularly if you're prone to laryngitis avoiding irritants, such as smoke or dust — particularly if you have a cold or other respiratory tract infection not smoking not drinking more than the recommended limits of alcohol consumption not regularly clearing your throat — as this can irritate the larynx try swallowing instead raising your head with pillows when you're sleeping — to protect your larynx from any acid reflux from your stomach during sleep not shouting or singing loudly or for long periods of time — it's important for people who regularly use their voice excessively to receive proper training so they don't damage their larynx.

Causes of laryngitis Laryngitis occurs when the larynx voice box becomes irritated and swollen. Milstein says. If you rely on your voice in your job, you may find that it happens more often for you and may be more of a problem if you rely on your voice daily. But, occasionally, losing your voice might signal that precancerous or cancerous cells are forming.

Hoarseness is more likely to happen during an upper respiratory illness. This can linger from a few days to a few weeks, or even longer in some cases, Dr. Risk factors such as a history of smoking, a history of cancer or other health concerns should prompt an evaluation for hoarseness that lingers beyond two to four weeks. While there is no quick fix to help get your voice back, Dr.

Milstein offers these tips to soothe inflamed vocal cords:. If your hoarseness persists for longer than two weeks to a month, talk with your doctor. He or she may suggest a laryngoscopy, a procedure that will offer a better view of your larynx.