Change in the sound and/or speed of the voice. Causes include laryngeal polyp, laryngitis, laryngeal carcinoma, throat carcinoma, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, hypothyroidism, oral surgery, tracheostomy, tracheal injury, and laryngeal injury.
Symptoms of Hoarseness
The following features are indicative of Hoarseness:
hoarse or raspy voice
lost ability to hit some high notes when singing
voice suddenly sounds deeper
achy or strained throat
take an effort to talk
sac-like appearance of the vocal folds
stretching of the mucosa
shortness of breath
tickling sensation and rawness of throat
It is possible that Hoarseness shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Hoarseness
The following are the most common causes of Hoarseness:
self-limited laryngitis
malignant tumors of the vocal cords
acid reflux
allergies
breathing in irritating substances
cancer of the throat or larynx
Other Causes of Hoarseness
The following are the less common causes of Hoarseness:
chronic coughing
colds or upper respiratory infections
heavy smoking or drinking
overuse or abuse of the voice
Risk Factors for Hoarseness
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Hoarseness:
dysphonia
Chiari malformation
Marfan syndrome
screaming
constantly clearing throat
smoking
bronchitis
sinusitis
excessive alcohol intake
stomach acid
workplace chemicals
overusing voice
Prevention of Hoarseness
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Hoarseness. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
avoid smoking and secondhand smoke exposure
limit alcohol and caffeine
drink plenty of water
avoid eating spicy foods
avoid clearing throat forcefully
avoid upper respiratory infections
Occurrence of Hoarseness
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Hoarseness cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Hoarseness most commonly occurs in the following age group:
Aged between 15-60 years
Common Gender
Hoarseness can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Hoarseness
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Hoarseness:
Laryngoscopy: To visualize the movement of the vocal cord
Stroboscopy: To examine the mucosal waves
Biopsy: To examine the tissue under a microscope to know the cause
Doctor for Diagnosis of Hoarseness
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Hoarseness:
Otolaryngologist
Complications of Hoarseness if untreated
Yes, Hoarseness causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Hoarseness is left untreated:
throat infection
Procedures for Treatment of Hoarseness
The following procedures are used to treat Hoarseness:
Phonosurgery: To remove the fluid from the vocal cords
Voice therapy: To improve the voice’s quality and range
Surgical microlaryngoscopy: To improve the patient’s symptoms
Self-care for Hoarseness
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Hoarseness:
Breathe moist air: Use a humidifier to keep the air throughout the home
Rest your voice: Avoid talking or singing too loudly for long time
Drink plenty of fluids: Prevent dehydration
Moisten the throat: Try sucking on lozenges and gargling with salt water to keep the moistened throat
Avoid whispering: Reduces the strain on voice
Time for Treatment of Hoarseness
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Hoarseness to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision: