Laryngitis makes us speechless! Well, literally speechless. Yes, if we are not able to speak or have a hoarse voice, we are afflicted with laryngitis.There can be many causes of laryngitis. We need to talk about all of them, because to some extent our remedies will depend upon the underlying cause.
Though most remedies are common, no matter, what the reason for laryngitis is. The cause may be common cold, or voice abuse, such as yelling or shouting. Throat pain is yet another and smoking could also be one more cause of laryngitis. One very uncommon reason could be gastro oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
List Of Home Remedies For Laryngitis
Give Rest To Your Vocal Chords
It is said that the first remedy that should strike to your mind is not speaking at all. If possible give complete rest to your voice. If you thought you can make do with whispering, know fully well that whispers are even worse. They irritate your chords more than when you talk. If at all you have to speak, speak in a very low volume and measure your words. You may think of taking a day or two off from work, because, it becomes almost impossible not to speak at work. If you need to travel, imagine the pollution on the roads. Better take leave.
Shun Smoke
Whether your own smoking or someone else’s smoking in your proximity, it has to be avoided as much as possible. When we are treating laryngitis, we need to stay away from smoke of every kind. Smoke always irritates the throat. It is a common experience of many people that their being in smoke prone area, gets them a hoarse throat and stuffy nose.
Gargling
Whatever is the cause of laryngitis, gargling always does good to the throat. Though some may feel that the larynx is way down the throat, but remember, it is quite close by and deep-throated gargles do heal the larynx as well. To get full advantage of gargles, turn your head up completely. While doing so, the warm saline water will travel very deep, closer to the larynx.
And you must put a wrap around the throat after you finish with the gargles. The warmth that the gargles generate, aids the healing of larynx. It is worth mentioning that while preparing saline water. Take care to put very little salt. Excessive salt will irritate the throat and will make it worse.
Drink Plenty Of Water
One may never have thought that even water is essential for laryngitis. It is important to remain well hydrated. So drink water in good quantity.
Steam Inhalation
Buy a mini sauna or some kind of steam inhalation unit, if you do not have one. It does not cost you a fortune, and can be bought at a very low price. Once bought, it will come handy for the whole family for colds and coughs.Steam will moisturize your throat and stop the nagging irritation. Repeat it two or three times a day, and definitely before retiring to bed.
A Tip For Laryngitis Of Gerd Patients
If gastro oesophageal reflux is sending the acids up your food pipe, they are likely to make the throat hoarse. To counter the symptoms, eat light diet. Your food should not be spicy and acidic. Sit for at least an hour after eating food. If it still persists take antacids. See the doctor, if required.
Use Honey
The goodness of honey for throat is known by the whole world. You can lick it as many times a day as you can. Take it straight away, or mix it with something else.It can be mixed in a glass of warm water and had. Or mix it with ginger juice. The ratio of ginger juice and honey should be one part ginger juice and ten parts honey. Take a tsp ten times a day.
No Alcoholic Drinks And No Beverages
These can dehydrate and harm the throat. Dehydration will unnecessarily delay your healing of larynx.
Avoid Going To Dusty Areas
The dust can put the healing of your larynx on the back burner. So, completely avoid going to dust prone areas.
Use Ginger Tea
Come winters and ginger tea is a favorite drink of many people. Ginger has the quality of looking after inflamed throat and larynx. Drink half a cup of ginger tea three to four times a day.To make 2 cup ginger tea, take three cups water and grate half a tsp of fresh ginger. Let it be on low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure that the lid is in place to allow the goodness of ginger to remain in the tea.
Eat Garlic Lozenges
These are not the usual lozenges, but made at home, of raw garlic. This is a tried and a tested home remedy. Take two cloves of garlic, make an incision on each, and put them on both the sides of mouth. Leave them there like you do with the lozenges. You will have to live with the garlic breath. Do this at least at night, when you do not have to be with people. Garlic can cure sore throat and infections. The organic compound called allicin, has antimicrobial properties.
Apple Cider Vinegar Gargles
Many people swear by the goodness of vinegar gargles, but many dread using sourness of vinegar for throat.Those who are apple cider vinegar fans say that gargling just for one day brings their voice back. The microorganisms can not thrive in the acidic medium.
Try Lemon Drink
If your throat is not sore and painful, drink fresh lime water, with a bit of salt added to it. Better still, do lemon water gargles. Do it thrice a day.You can drink lemon tea.To make lemon tea you can just add a lemon to hot water, add some honey and drink it thrice a day.
Prevention
The larynx issue can avoided if one takes care of one’s volume, loud shouting and yelling has to be avoided. Take care not to eat cold foods when you have cough and cold.
Eat light to keep healthy digestive system.