Laryngeal neuropathy is one of the causes of chronic cough, a common symptom in the general population, and its prevalence may be increasing due to increased environmental pollution. It is a problem that significantly affects the quality of life  of people and has a major economic impact on public health.

We know that cough is a frequent reason for consultation in the outpatient clinic, and it is important to keep in mind that it is a primitive physiological reflex, being the first defense mechanism of the airway.

I follown its duration It is classified into:

  • Sharp, when it is less than 3 weeks
  • Chronic or persistent,  If it is greater than 8 weeks

Due to the lack of knowledge about the pathophysiological processes of chronic cough, and the clinical challenge it represents, it is increasingly necessary to have a multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

The main causes of persistent cough are:

  1. Postnasal drip or upper airway syndrome. Read more
  2. Cough caused by asthma. Read more
  3. Gastroesophageal reflux/pharyngeal-laryngeal or extraesophageal reflux. Read more
  4. Some medications
  5. Infections

The first three make up 86% of the causes. However, once these are ruled out, sensory disorders of the vagus nerve or “vagal neuropathy” become important, the diagnosis and treatment of which is the responsibility of an ENT specialist.

Sensory laryngeal neuropathy occurs because the larynx is very sensitive to certain stimuli. The most common symptoms are:

  • Constant or intermittent tingling sensation
  • Irritation
  • Burning
  • Sensation of suffocation in the larynx
  • Frequent throat clearing
  • ronquera
  • Malfunction of the vocal cords that close during inspiration.
  • Globus: Non-painful sensation in the throat that is explained as having a foreign body or lump in it.
  • Dysphagia: Problems swallowing

It may appear with:

  • Changes in ambient temperature
  • Deep inspiration
  • Risa
  • Smoke of the tabacco
  • Sprays/perfumes

The goal of treating laryngeal neuropathy is to modulate the neural pathways of the cough circuit, in order to restore the threshold to normal, that is, to try to make the cough receptors less sensitive so that they do not react to small stimuli. We achieve this with three actions/interventions/strategies:

  • Education
  • Behavioral recommendations
    • Vocal hygiene measures and strategies to reduce coughing and clearing the throat (hydration, avoiding exposure to triggers, anti-reflux measures, etc.)
  • Pharmacotherapy

CONCLUSION

If you present some of the yessymptoms mentioned, or you think you may suffer from this disease, it is important that you consult with your doctor.éI tell and analyze the causes, thus being able to find the treatment as soon as possiblemrsI ask for it and preserve your quality of life.

 For any questions, contact us by writing to our coach Mar Estaban maresteban@lovexair.com For moreFor more information on chronic cough, we invite you to join our community "Managing Cough"

 Sources:

BARRIA E, Tamara; CHUANG CH, Ángela and ORTEGA T, Andrés. Persistent cough and laryngeal neuropathy. Rev. Otorhinolaryngology. Head Neck Cir. [online]. 2018, vol.78, n.2 [cited 2020-12-02], pp.213-220. Available here.

Last updated on 7 March, 2026