A practical guide for nutritional and traditional health care.
Laryngitis ( Hoarseness )
An inflammation in the voice box or larynx causes hoarseness in the voice and in some cases the complete loss of the voice-as the larynx is the organ affected, the condition is known as laryngitis. Commonly occurring with other upper respiratory tract infections, the condition known as laryngitis has symptoms such as soreness and scratchiness in the throat of the affected individual, and affected patients usually also develop signs of a fever. A dry and barking type of cough typically accompanies the sounds produced in the throats of people with laryngitis. Several days may pass before full vocal recovery is restored in individuals who have entirely lost their voice. The condition known as croup is probably involved if the cough and hoarseness brings about any difficulty in breathing. The condition known as croup is especially common in many children; the more severe forms of this disorder can be alarming to a parent as an affected child gasps for air in a desperate manner. Breathing normally is rendered more difficult by the persistent presence of anxiety and fear in the child. Individuals affected by vocal hoarseness that does not disappear within a week must seek professional help, this is suggested as the presence of a tumor or an enlargement of the thyroid gland can bring about similar symptoms.
Infections of the throat or the sinuses are often followed by cases of the acute form of laryngitis-which itself is brought on by the usual causative organisms and factors as the common cold and pathogens like the bacteria and many types of viruses. Recurring hoarseness and chronic cases of laryngitis can also be caused by the overuse of the voice, as stressing out the vocal chords creates a predisposition for developing laryngitis. It is important not to strain the vocal chords repeatedly by speaking or shouting for long periods of time, great stress is also placed on the vocal chords if a person yells excessively, or if an individual takes part in long sessions of singing or lecturing. The larynx is also predisposed to many types of infections by smoking heavily, similar effects can be induced by inhaling other irritating toxins-inhaling polluted air and cigarette smoke are important factors in the development of laryngitis. The cause of hoarseness in the voice can sometimes be due to anxiety and other psychological factors. Cases of laryngitis have also known to have occurred as result or as a form of hangover symptom, caused by the consumption of high amounts of drinks containing alcohol.
Supplements and herbs
The use of supplemental zinc lozenges can alleviate the symptoms of a sore throat and this compound will help support and mobilize an effective immune system response to pathogens in the throat. Viruses and bacteria that have invaded the throat can also be dealt with using throat sprays which contain the seed extracts of the grapefruit-this herbal extract will help eliminate all pathogens accumulating in the throat. The antibiotic properties of the grapefruits must be used effectively and this herbal extract is also available in the form of a liquid herbal extract or if preferred it can also be taken in the form of herbal tablets.
Immune system functioning can be boosted and restored through the use of high doses of the vitamin C, similar in dosage strengths to those used during the treatment of other infections, this vitamin must be taken to doses that the bowel can tolerate at any one time without adverse symptoms. The effectiveness of the vitamin C supplements can be enhanced by the use of plant based natural substances called the bioflavonoids, indeed, these two substances must be taken together by the patient for optimal treatment from the illness, and both of these substances also ensure that the immune system functions properly. To soothe and heal the irritated mucus membranes and to support the action of the immune system, supplements of the vitamin A are also strongly recommended for all patients suffering from laryngitis.
Since antibiotics are used during the treatment period, there is a loss of intestinal friendly bacteria, this loss can be replaced by supplements of the Lactobacillus acidophilus bacterium as the normal intestinal bacteria complement is vital to maintain health in the body. This particular supplement will help prevent the onset of further illness, and such supplements of these friendly bacteria must be taken when taking any antibiotics to treat throat problems. While the Lactobacillus acidophilus occurs naturally in all natural brands of yogurt, the capsule forms are stronger and more effective and should preferably be used during the treatment of laryngitis. As a preventative measure, all of the supplements given here can be used at lower dosages on a regular basis by all patients with laryngitis.
The following herbs and herbal combinations can help in the purification of the blood, they will fight back infection from different pathogens and they will also help in bringing some alleviation from different forms of allergies induced by the laryngitis in the affected individual.
For the elimination of all the infective germs and the pathogens in the body, regularly gargle using an herbal sage tea once every hour or if this is not possible at least thrice every day. An effective herbal alternative that can be used in the herbal gargle water is the common garlic. The odorless garlic capsules may be preferred by some individuals; these capsules have the same potency of raw garlic and can be used by those who cannot deal with the smell of raw garlic. Dosage of this herb can be three garlic capsules taken every day at regular intervals. The antiseptic actions of the tea tree oil can also be utilized in the treatment of a throat problem. Gargle using warm water to which five drops of the tea tree oil has been added for maximum relief from the symptoms of a throat infection. Use different herbs as infusions in gargling water some herbs that can be used include a tbsp. each of the tincture of the lemon balm along with some brandy. To treat coughs and persistent hoarseness in the throat drink herbal teas made from a combination of herbs to which some non-pasteurized honey has been added, these herbs include some Echinacea herbal extract, the ginger, the garlic, the sage, the goldenseal, the licorice and the slippery elm in equal measures. To disinfect and soothe the throat as well as to heal and soothe the inflammation resulting from laryngitis, steam inhalations of the wild thyme, the sage, the lavender or some oak bark can be employed. Steam inhalations of the oak bark are particularly effective, the bark has antiseptic properties, it also has a natural anti-inflammatory ability, it functions as a pain-relieving analgesic and its astringent properties are also very potent. Respiratory organs are disinfected by steam inhalations made from the wild thyme. If there is a fever present in the patient, a drop of sweat inducing oils of the eucalyptus or the peppermint can be added to bring about perspiration and relief from the fever.
The following homeopathic remedies can be used in hourly dosages at 6c,12c or 30c potencies, the initial strength of the dose can be progressively reduced as the intensity of the symptoms decrease. Depending on the physical response given by the patient, during treatment of chronic laryngitis cases, a single dose daily will be sufficient for several days or weeks at a time to bring relief from the many symptoms. Sometimes immediate improvement may be noticed after taking just a single dose of a homeopathic remedy, before you take another dose wait and see how long the effects from the initial dose lasts. The response of different people to the any given homeopathic remedy is likely to be different from how everyone else responds to the same remedy - for this reason, all treatments must be carried out on individual basis.
Additional things you may do
The use of topical treatment methods such as using hot wraps around the neck will heal and help relieve the worst symptoms of the condition in an indirect way. To make a hot wrap, carefully soak a cotton cloth in some heated apple cider vinegar and wrap this cloth around the neck when the symptoms are particularly intense. Topical treatments that can also be used include some raw and crushed, heated leaves of cabbage, apply this around the neck along the area of greatest discomfort. A salve made from the arnica can also be applied directly on the neck. Use a dry towel to always keep the neck wrap or compress covered. Another great topical treatment can be made by boiling two lbs. of small potatoes with the skins on. The boiled potatoes can then be mashed and the mashed paste can be spread on a cotton cloth, this can then be placed while it is still hot, directly on the throat along the affected area. A woolen shawl can also be used to cover the affected area on the neck. Gargle your throat using a solution of concentrated whey once every hour or if this is not possible at least thrice every day so as to rid the throat of germs and harmful pathogens. The antiseptic property of the liquid whey can greatly aid in the elimination of germs and other pathogens. Laryngitis can be soothed and healed using steam inhalations on a regular basis. If the air within your room is too dry, use a humidifier in the bedroom to increase the moisture content in the room - this is very good for dryness in the throat.
Other beneficial herbs