Hoarseness is a very common symptom and refers to any change in your normal voice. Hoarseness may occur with many respiratory conditions. More often than not, it does not represent a serious problem.
Any hoarseness that persists for more than two weeks, especially in individuals who are smokers or heavy alcohol drinkers should be evaluated. Sometimes hoarseness may be a sign of cancer. Please contact us for an appointment if you have persistent hoarseness.
Causes:
Acute Laryngitis:
This is the most common cause of hoarseness, and may occur as a result of the common cold or other respiratory infections, or from vocal strain.
Acid Reflux Disease:
This is a very common problem affecting as much as 60 percent of the population occasionally, and twenty to thirty percent chronically. When reflux comes up into the throat it creates irritation and inflammation that can cause many symptoms including hoarseness.
Vocal Abuse, Misuse, or Overuse:
Injury to the vocal cords can result from excessive or overuse of your voice. Examples are:
Vocal hemorrhage
Smoking
Chronic throat clearing
Chronic cough
Use of inhalers such as those for asthma and COPD
Neurologic diseases
Thyroid disease:
Underactive thyroid can cause problems with the voice. Tumors and cancers of the thyroid can cause hoarseness by affecting the nerves that go to the vocal cords, and by direct pressure on the larynx and the windpipe.
Diagnosis:
Treatment:
Treatment of hoarseness will be tailored to the diagnosis. Most frequently, little more than voice rest will be required.
Medications may be very helpful for certain patients. Medications to reduce swelling and inflammation and medications to reduce acid production are frequently prescribed.
Sometimes a surgical biopsy may be necessary if you have a persistent swelling or abnormality in your throat or voice box (larynx).
Speech therapy is also prescribed for many patients with persistent vocal problems.
Any hoarseness that persists for more than two weeks, especially in individuals who are smokers or heavy alcohol drinkers should be evaluated. Sometimes hoarseness may be a sign of cancer. Please contact us for an appointment if you have persistent hoarseness.
Causes:
Acute Laryngitis:
This is the most common cause of hoarseness, and may occur as a result of the common cold or other respiratory infections, or from vocal strain.
Acid Reflux Disease:
This is a very common problem affecting as much as 60 percent of the population occasionally, and twenty to thirty percent chronically. When reflux comes up into the throat it creates irritation and inflammation that can cause many symptoms including hoarseness.
Vocal Abuse, Misuse, or Overuse:
Injury to the vocal cords can result from excessive or overuse of your voice. Examples are:
- Shouting and screaming
- Having to project your voice or speaking in noisy situations
- Overuse or misuse from performances
- Using inappropriate pitch (too high or too low) when speaking
Vocal hemorrhage
Smoking
Chronic throat clearing
Chronic cough
Use of inhalers such as those for asthma and COPD
Neurologic diseases
Thyroid disease:
Underactive thyroid can cause problems with the voice. Tumors and cancers of the thyroid can cause hoarseness by affecting the nerves that go to the vocal cords, and by direct pressure on the larynx and the windpipe.
Diagnosis:
- Complete ear, nose, and throat examination
- Fiberoptic laryngoscopy-a tiny light tube is passed into your throat to visualize the deeper part of your throat and voice box (larynx). This painless examination takes only two to three minutes and is done in the office with topical aesthesia.
- Lab tests
- X-rays and other imaging studies
Treatment:
Treatment of hoarseness will be tailored to the diagnosis. Most frequently, little more than voice rest will be required.
Medications may be very helpful for certain patients. Medications to reduce swelling and inflammation and medications to reduce acid production are frequently prescribed.
Sometimes a surgical biopsy may be necessary if you have a persistent swelling or abnormality in your throat or voice box (larynx).
Speech therapy is also prescribed for many patients with persistent vocal problems.