To communicate, try texting and writing your words down on a whiteboard or notebook instead. If talking is unavoidable, do so only for short periods, and use a microphone or megaphone if you need to be loud. Get plenty of regular rest as well! Your body heals fastest when it gets 7 to 9 hours of sleep nightly.
Avoid drinks containing alcohol and caffeine while your vocal cords heal. Alcohol and caffeine (including drinks like coffee and black tea) dehydrate you, making your voice worse. Caffeine and alcohol can also induce acid reflux, which can cause or prolong laryngitis.
Most of the liquid you drink should be warm if possible, but ensure it’s not so hot that it scalds your throat. While it’s true that citrus drinks (including lemon tea) might not be the best for your throat, soothing teas like chamomile, licorice root, and ginger can help reduce inflammation.
If you don’t like many warm drinks, you could always eat a quick spoonful of honey instead.
Generally, fruits (except citrus), vegetables, and whole grains are helpful in preventing acid reflux and keeping the mucus membranes of your throat healthy. It’s also a good idea to cut foods that worsen a sore throat from your diet. Acidic products like chocolate, citrus, and spicy foods cause acid reflux, which can cause or prolong laryngitis.
If you want to repeat the process but already took a shower that day, you can also run the shower while sitting in your bathroom and take deep breaths instead.
Aim to keep the air in your home around at least 30 percent humidity. This is especially important during winter when the air is drier (making it easier to irritate your throat).
Read the package to check how many lozenges you can have daily, which may vary based on the type you decide to get.
If you can’t stop smoking on your own, try using nicotine patches to get you started. Quitting smoking also saves you money and reduces your risk of developing several health issues, including heart disease and lung and bladder cancer.
Steer clear of decongestants, which can be helpful when your sinuses are clogged but will ultimately dry out your throat.
Keep in mind that corticosteroids aren’t for everyone and usually aren’t prescribed unless there’s an urgent need to treat laryngitis. Your doctor will be able to make the final call! Many cases of laryngitis are viral (caused by a cold) rather than bacterial, which is why antibiotics are only helpful in specific instances. See a doctor if your laryngitis lasts longer than 2 weeks or if your symptoms are painful and cause trouble swallowing. It might mean you have chronic laryngitis or laryngitis caused by acid reflux, which requires treatment.
