Acute and Chronic Laryngitis

Causes of voice disorders

Acute laryngitis:

• Viral infection of the upper airway (usually viruses that cause a cold)
• Vocal strain e.g. due to yelling and overuse of voice

Chronic laryngitis:

• Smoking or other inhaled irritants such as chemical fumes and allergens
• Reflux of acid from the stomach into the larynx (laryngopharyngeal reflux)
• Inflammation or infection of the sinuses fungal infection.
• Occupational voice abuse (people who use their voices a lot in their work)

Less common causes of laryngitis:

Bacterial or fungal infection.

Risk factors of voice disorders

• Respiratory tract infections, such as colds, sinusitis and bronchitis
• Exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke, stomach acid, or chemical fumes
• Overusing the voice