What should I do for laryngitis with hoarseness?
Nov 27, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Cheng
Introduction
In general, the main approaches to improving hoarseness caused by pharyngitis include resting the voice, dietary adjustments, local care, medication, and complementary traditional Chinese medicine treatments. In addition, patients should follow medical advice for proper medication use. If hoarseness lasts longer than two weeks or is accompanied by difficulty breathing, prompt medical attention is necessary. In daily life, avoid exposure to dust and irritating gases, protect the throat, and reduce the risk of recurrence.
In general, the main methods for improving hoarseness caused by pharyngitis include voice rest, dietary adjustment, local care, medication, and traditional Chinese medicine as adjunctive therapy. Specific details are as follows:
1. Voice Rest
Excessive vibration of the vocal cords can worsen mucosal congestion and swelling in the throat, aggravating hoarseness. It is important to reduce speaking frequency, avoid shouting or prolonged talking, and allow the vocal cords adequate rest. At the same time, maintain appropriate indoor humidity to prevent dry air from irritating the throat, thus providing a favorable environment for vocal cord recovery.
2. Dietary Adjustment
Spicy and irritating foods can stimulate the pharyngeal mucosa and exacerbate inflammatory responses. In daily life, drink plenty of lukewarm or cool water to keep the throat moist; consume more fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins; avoid chili peppers, Sichuan pepper, fried foods, and reduce tobacco and alcohol intake to prevent further damage to the pharyngeal mucosa.
3. Local Care
Gentle local care can soothe throat discomfort and reduce mucosal inflammation. Common methods include saline gargling and inhaling warm steam. Gargling with physiological saline helps clean secretions in the throat and reduces irritation; warm steam inhalation moisturizes the throat, relieves dryness and tightness of the vocal cords, and improves voice production.
4. Medication
Medications can specifically alleviate inflammation and discomfort. For bacterial infections, antibiotics such as cefuroxime axetil tablets, amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium tablets, or azithromycin dispersible tablets may be used under medical guidance. For viral infections, ribavirin granules, oseltamivir phosphate capsules, or amantadine hydrochloride tablets may be selected. If sore throat is prominent, watermelon frost lozenges can be used concurrently.
5. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Adjunctive Therapy
According to TCM theory, pharyngitis is often related to wind-heat invading the lungs or yin deficiency with internal heat. Treatment focuses on clearing heat, relieving sore throat, nourishing yin, and moistening the larynx. Herbal remedies such as compound Coralloid Lozenge, Jinsong Kaiyin Pills, or Xuanmai Ganju Granules may be used. Acupressure or massage at points like Hegu (LI4) and Lieque (LU7) can also help regulate qi and blood flow to relieve symptoms.
In addition, patients should follow medical advice when taking medications. If hoarseness persists for more than two weeks or is accompanied by difficulty breathing, prompt medical attention is necessary. In daily life, avoid exposure to dust and irritating gases, protect the throat properly, and reduce the risk of recurrence.
