Smoking and second-hand smoke should be avoided. Medications to break up mucus and treat infections may be given. Throat lozenges and gargling can be helpful. Pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen may also be used. Medications to reduce stomach acid are given if the cause is acid reflux or heartburn.
Cancer is treated with surgery, radiation therapy , and sometimes chemotherapy .
All medications have side effects. Some pain relievers and antibiotics can cause stomach upset and allergic reactions. Cancer treatment has many side effects, including possible death. Most cases of laryngitis resolve in a week or so. If laryngitis lasts for more than a month or seems suspicious, more testing such as laryngoscopy is done.