The larynx is also known as the voice box and the term for an inflammation of the larynx is called laryngitis. Asthmatics will attest that they often cough so much that their voices become hoarse and raspy. It is an annoyance, but not usually a big medical concern. Because the condition may be persistent it does not mean laryngitis is going to end in throat cancer.
There are different reasons for different conditions and when the irritated laryngitis is caused by asthma, it just means the body is fighting off external toxins. The body fights off infections causing inflammation filled with histamines, which are antibodies that ward of the invaders. The inflammation is also produced because the throat is irritated and mucous is produced to heal the damage. Mucus also narrows the air passages along with the inflammation and that further restricts breathing.
The other symptoms that are associated with laryngitis are a tickling feeling in the throat, the need to constantly clear the throat, fever, cough, and congestion. Laryngitis can also develop during or just after getting a sore throat. Sometimes laryngitis will be a little more serious, especially if you are running a high fever with a sore throat, you will notice phlegm, which could be yellow or green (green means the infection is more advanced and has reached the lungs) or you may be coughing up blood, or unable to take in liquids and the symptoms last for several weeks. These symptoms need to be addressed immediately.
You do need to see your asthma specialist, to make sure you are on the proper medication. Just because laryngitis rarely leads to cancer especially if you know it is your asthma that is causing your hoarseness and other voice problems you still must be caution and make sure your doctor is aware of your symptoms and your asthma is under control. Uncontrolled asthma can lead to different complications that you do not want to run into.
Steroids used in bronchodialators are prescribed for asthma symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and hoarseness. These bronchodialators are designed to open up the breathing passageways and clear up the infection in the nasal and oral cavities. The two systems work pretty much together, and when the breathing is labored and coughing occurs the larynx becomes inflamed and so the doctor prescribes the puffers, or inhalers, to treat voice and breathing symptoms.
Children will be affected differently and they may have more severe symptoms and should be examined by a doctor for safety purposes. Again, even though asthmatic adults can have serious complications such as the airways closing shut, it is more a possibility in children and therefore parents must be vigilant and take their children to the hospital when the bronchodialators do not seem to be working. It might be necessary to do a procedure called intubation, where a breathing tube is placed down the throat. Then the child or the adult sufferer would be placed on a machine called a ventilator to further help restore breathing.
Chronic laryngitis may also be caused by acid reflux, where the acids of the stomach back up into the esophagus. Many asthma sufferers (up to 70 percent) also have acid reflux commonly known as GERD.
In rare situations chronic laryngitis may be caused by tumors in the throat, however, more often than not, laryngitis is a symptom of the common cold or a symptom of asthma. Controlling your asthma with proper medication can pretty much alleviate the scare that you have throat cancer. Talk your fears out with your doctor as he or she will be able to clear up some of your concerns and help you deal with the issues of asthma and how it affects, your health, your life, and your well being. The last thing you need is extra stress worrying about things that more than likely will never happen.