An upper respiratory tract infection, or upper respiratory infection, is an infection occurring in any of the components of the upper airway – sinuses, nasal passages, pharynx and larynx.
Upper Respiratory infections are very common contagious illnesses that can be caused by a number of different types of viruses. Symptoms of the common cold may include cough, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion and sneezing which can mimic Laryngitis. Change in voice quality and increased hoarseness points towards laryngitis.
Angioedema:
Angioedema is rapid swelling of the deeper layers of the skin which is mainly due to an allergic reaction to either food, drugs, insect bites etc. In serious cases, throat can swell causing the patient to have difficulty in breathing. Due to the risk of suffocation, rapidly progressing angioedema is treated as a medical emergency.
Vocal Cord Lesions:
Ulcers or growths (such as cysts, polyps, or nodules) on the vocal cords can affect the voice. These lesions may be caused by improper use of the voice over an extended period, chronic viral infections, prolonged smoking, cancer, or long-term exposure to allergens or irritants.
Spasmodic Dysphonia:
This is a voice disorder that causes hoarseness, neck pain, and poor voice range and quality. It is a result of habitual and improper use of muscles around the vocal cords. The behavior often begins as a means to compensate for strain on other voice box muscles during a viral infection or from overuse.
Gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD):
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD or acid reflux, is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates into the esophagus. The liquid can inflame and damage the mucosal lining of the gastro –intestinal tract.
Reflux Laryngitis – is a Voice disorder caused by backflow of stomach fluids to the throat and voice box area; a type of supra-esophageal GERD.
Swelling and irritation of the voice box caused by stomach fluid backflow into the larynx can cause chronic laryngitis and can mimic in presentation. Symptoms like heart burn, belching, hoarseness/change in voice may be associated.
Diseases of Thyroid Gland:
Thyroid disorders like Hypothyroidism and Thyroid cancer (rare) can present with Hoarseness of voice. Pressure of a thyroid nodule on the larynx can cause the voice to change and become hoarse which can mimic laryngitis.
Vocal Paralysis: Paralysis of vocal cords can lead to temporary or permanent Aphonia (loss of voice)
Cancer of Larynx:
Laryngeal cancer is a type of throat cancer that affects the larynx. Cancer of the larynx can occur on the glottis (most common location), the supra glottis (the area above the vocal cords that includes the epiglottis), or the subglottis (the area that connects the larynx to the trachea).
People, who use their voices a lot, such as singers, may develop polyps or abnormal tissues that can become cancerous if not removed.
Patients suffering from hoarseness persisting for a longer duration should get further analysis done to rule out cancerous growths in larynx. However direct correlation to laryngitis and carcinoma is still unproven.
Age related changes – Weakness or degeneration of muscle around the vocal cords due to aging can result in a thin voice, with decreased range, and occasional loss of sound.
Myaesthenia Gravis - This is a neuromuscular disorder which affects the voluntary skeletal muscles of the body. The disease typically progresses over time if left untreated. Common presentation is Ptosis (drooping of eyelids) in the evening, muscle weakness and fatigue and gradual change in voice quality making it hoarse.
