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INTRODUCTION

This page will tell you about a condition called chronic laryngitis.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC LARYNGITIS?

The main complaint in people with chronic laryngitis is a need to keep clearing the throat.

People with the condition often have a feeling that there is thick sticky mucus in their throat which they have to keep clearing away by hawking. It doesn’t usually cause any problems with the voice quality or swallowing.

WHAT CAUSES CHRONIC LARYNGITIS?

The exact cause of chronic laryngitis is unknown. In most people it starts off with a cold-like illness, often quite a long time in the past. In other people it may be due to acid from the stomach being regurgitated into the throat, causing irritation.

In most people, however, the exact cause will never be found.

Whatever causes the problem though, it is the throat-clearing itself which tends to keep the condition going, and this is the basis of treatment (see below).

WHO GETS CHRONIC LARYNGITIS?

For some reason chronic laryngitis is more common in men; the reason for this is unknown. It can affect people of any age

ARE ANY SPECIAL TESTS NECESSARY?

There are no special blood tests that will help diagnose chronic laryngitis. Examination of the larynx with  an endoscope is invariably normal.

WHAT TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR CHRONIC LARYNGITIS?

There is no drug treatment or surgery that will get rid of chronic laryngitis. However, there are some things you can do to improve the symptoms:

1. Try to avoid hawking whenever possible. People often say that they can’t do this, otherwise the mucus will build up in their throat. There are other ways to clear your throat, however, which are not so irritating to the voice box, and if you must clear the throat, try to do it very gently.

2. Avoid caffeinated drinks for a while. Caffeine can make the mucus of the upper airways thicker, and more difficult to clear. Avoiding too much caffeine whilst the condition settles can be helpful.

3. Drink plenty of water. Taking regular sips of water throughout the day can help to clear mucus from the throat and reduce the desire to hawk.

WHAT IS THE OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE?

Most of the symptoms of chronic laryngitis disappear quickly with the steps above, never to return. The outlook is, therefore, excellent.