Cough and Laryngitis: Symptoms, Remedies, and Recovery

Cough and laryngitis?

Hello, doctor.
Let me explain my condition starting from last week.
It began when I suddenly developed a fever while at work, and my throat was extremely painful, to the point where I couldn't speak or swallow.
After resting overnight, I went to see a doctor the next morning, and my fever had subsided.
However, my throat remained very painful, accompanied by thick yellow-green phlegm with blood clots.
At that time, my cough wasn't too severe, but I still coughed occasionally.
My voice was completely lost; I couldn't produce any sound, and when I did, it was very hoarse.

Now, nearly two weeks later, I've seen the doctor about 3 to 4 times.
Although my throat pain and the symptoms of thick phlegm with blood clots have almost resolved, my cough has become quite severe.
My voice is still hoarse, with difficulty reaching both high and low pitches.
I have persistent dry coughs, with some white phlegm, but it's less than before.
Every time I breathe, I feel an itch in my throat and trachea, which triggers uncontrollable coughing.
At night, the coughing worsens; I cough as soon as I lie down, making it impossible to sleep.
There were two nights when I could only sleep for two to three hours due to the coughing.

Coughing has caused me to strain my abdominal muscles, which initially hurt, but in the past two days, it has evolved into severe pain in the lower abdomen.
Now, whenever I feel the urge to cough and exert even a little force, the pain in my lower abdomen becomes unbearable.
My throat is also very itchy, making me want to cough, and I feel discomfort as if I'm inhaling cold air.
I have the urge to cough, but since I can't, I try to relieve the sensation by taking deep breaths and exhaling through my mouth.
However, there has been no improvement so far.
Due to my job, I need to speak, but I've been trying to reduce the amount I talk.
I would like to ask the doctor if my vocal cord inflammation will improve (as I'm worried that I might not be able to produce high or low pitches normally again).
How can I resolve the coughing issue? A friend suggested throat lozenges (like Strepsils); is that advisable? (I've heard that throat lozenges containing menthol are not suitable for vocal cord inflammation; is that correct?) What can I eat to alleviate my symptoms? (Like honey or other remedies?)

Miss Zhang, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2015/09/26

Dr. Zheng Jueyi reply Otolaryngology

Hello, laryngitis usually improves gradually over time, but it is important to alleviate the coughing symptoms first, as severe coughing can lead to persistent inflammation of the vocal cords.
Medical treatment may be necessary to improve the condition.
For self-care, it is recommended to drink plenty of warm water, reduce speaking, and avoid spicy foods.
Menthol throat lozenges may sometimes increase acid reflux, so they are not always necessary.
Wishing you safety and good health.

Sincerely,
Dr.
Jue-Yi Cheng
Director, Department of Otolaryngology
Taoyuan General Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare

Reply Date: 2015/09/26

More Info

It sounds like you are experiencing a challenging combination of symptoms that could be related to laryngitis, possibly exacerbated by a respiratory infection. Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box (larynx) that can result from viral infections, overuse of the voice, or irritants. Your symptoms, including severe throat pain, hoarseness, cough, and the presence of phlegm, align with this condition.

Understanding Your Symptoms
1. Throat Pain and Hoarseness: The intense pain and hoarseness you are experiencing are common in laryngitis. This inflammation can make it difficult to speak or swallow, and it often leads to a raspy voice or even loss of voice.

2. Coughing: The persistent cough, especially worsening at night, is likely due to irritation in the throat and airways. This can be aggravated by post-nasal drip, which often occurs with upper respiratory infections.

3. Phlegm Production: The presence of yellow-green phlegm suggests that there may be a bacterial component to your illness, although viral infections can also cause similar symptoms. The blood in your phlegm is concerning and should be evaluated by a healthcare professional if it persists.

4. Abdominal Pain: The pain in your abdomen, particularly around the ovary area, could be due to muscle strain from excessive coughing. This is not uncommon, as the abdominal muscles can become sore from the effort of coughing.

Recommendations for Management
1. Voice Rest: Since you rely on your voice for work, it's crucial to minimize speaking as much as possible to allow your vocal cords to heal. Whispering can strain the voice more than normal speaking, so complete rest is best.

2. Hydration: Drink plenty of fluids to keep your throat moist and help thin the mucus. Warm teas with honey can be soothing. Honey has natural antibacterial properties and can help coat the throat.

3. Humidification: Using a humidifier in your room can help keep the air moist, which may alleviate throat irritation and reduce coughing.

4. Avoid Irritants: Stay away from smoke, strong odors, and other irritants that can exacerbate your symptoms. This includes avoiding mentholated lozenges if they irritate your throat further.

5. Cough Remedies: Over-the-counter cough suppressants may help reduce the urge to cough, especially at night. However, if you have a productive cough (coughing up phlegm), it’s often better to let your body clear the mucus.

6. Throat Lozenges: While some lozenges contain menthol, which can be irritating, others are formulated to soothe the throat without menthol. Look for lozenges that contain ingredients like honey or pectin.

7. Medical Evaluation: Since your symptoms have persisted for two weeks and you have experienced significant discomfort, it’s important to follow up with your healthcare provider. They may consider further evaluation, such as a laryngoscopy, to assess the condition of your vocal cords and rule out any serious issues.

Recovery Outlook
Most cases of laryngitis resolve within a few weeks with appropriate care. However, if your symptoms do not improve or worsen, further investigation may be necessary. It's understandable to be concerned about the long-term effects on your voice, but with proper care and rest, many individuals recover fully.

In summary, focus on voice rest, hydration, and avoiding irritants. If your symptoms persist or worsen, seek further medical advice. Your voice is an important tool, and taking care of it now will help ensure its health in the future.

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