Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

228 •HOMEOPATHIC SELF-HELPDISORDERLARYNGITISLaryngitis is hoarseness or loss of voice caused by inflammationof the larynx as a result of an allergy or infection. It may alsobe caused by continuous coughing, breathing through themouth rather than the nose, exposure to cold, dry, winds,inhaling toxic fumes, heavy smoking, drinking too muchalcohol, or vomiting. If you are inherently susceptible tothroat conditions (see page 20), a fright or emotional shockmay cause inflammation. Laryngitis can also be triggeredby overuse of the voice, and is an occupational hazard forteachers and singers.SELF-HELP Do not smoke or drink alcohol, and avoid hot, smokyrooms. Rest the voice and increase your fluid intake. Garglewith a solution of calendula and hypericum (see page 271)every four hours. If you sing and loss of voice is a persistentproblem, your voice may need retraining. Recurrent laryngitismay be the result of poor posture: the Alexander technique(see page 217) may be helpful.CAUTION If there is no improvement within a week to ten days,or if loss of voice persists, consult a doctor.COUGHSA cough is the body’s attempt to expel an irritant from therespiratory tract. The lungs build up a pressure of air that isreleased suddenly in an attempt to dislodge the cause of irritation.A cough either produces mucus or is dry. Irritation of the lining ofthe airway may be caused by catarrh dripping down the back of thethroat, smoking, or atmospheric particles. Coughing can also betriggered by a shock or fright.SELF-HELP Humidify all rooms. If you smoke, stop. Avoid dusty, smokyplaces and going out in cold, damp weather. Rest and drink a lot,especially hot water with fresh lemon juice and a little honey. If youare producing copious catarrh, avoid dairy products and starchyfoods, which may increase mucus production. Try homeopathicor herbal over-the-counter cough mixtures.CAUTION If a cough is accompanied by breathing difficulties, fever,or chest pain, see a doctor. If it results from inhaling dust or fumes,and does not improve within two days, see a doctor.BRONCHITISBronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi—the airways connectingthe windpipe to the lungs (see page 180)—resulting in a cough (seeabove) that produces a lot of mucus. Other symptoms include fever,breathing difficulties, and wheezing. Bronchitis usually developsfrom a viral infection such as a cold or influenza, and is aggravatedby atmospheric pollution, and by cold or damp air.SELF-HELP If you smoke, stop, and avoid smoky atmospheres. Tryinhaling steam. If you have a bad attack, stay in bed for two or threedays with a hot-water bottle placed on your chest, and drink plenty ofhot drinks. Avoid eating refined carbohydrates.CAUTION If symptoms persist, see a doctor. If temperature risesabove 102°F (39°C), if the mucus has blood in it, or if there arebreathing difficulties, see a doctor within two hours.SPECIFIC AILMENTLaryngitis with high feverLaryngitis with dry,tickly coughDry, raw throat andviolent coughDry, irritating cough thatcomes on suddenlyCough with chest painCough with thick,green catarrhBronchitis that comes onsuddenly after exposureto cold, dry airBronchitis with desirefor ice waterBronchitis withpainful coughPHYSICAL SYMPTOMS• Hoarseness or loss of voice• Sudden onset of high temperature• Larynx very sensitive to touch and inhaled air• Throat feels dry and sore• Talking may be painful• Desire for cold drinks, which may be vomitedwhen warmed in the stomach• Copious mucus drips down the back of thethroat and makes talking difficult• Cough may be violent enough to cause leakageof urine• Loss of voice that is usually painful• Dry, hollow-sounding, croaky cough• Great thirst• Possible rapid rise in temperature• Bursting headache, aggravated by even theslightest cough, possibly with fever• Extreme thirst, usually for warm drinks, butat infrequent intervals• Whole body feels dehydrated• Thick, green, bitter-tasting catarrh is coughedup, leaving an unpleasant taste in the mouth• Poor appetite• Tongue has a white coating• Green, bland catarrh may issue from the nose• Little or no thirst• Sudden onset of symptoms• Dry, staccato cough• High fever• Chilliness• Tight, dry, tickly cough• Frequent desire to drink ice water• Pale, anxious appearance• Dry, stabbing, painful cough• Headache that is worse for coughing• Chest pain that is relieved by supportingthe elbows on the back of a chair• Great thirst