Hoarseness
Hoarseness is caused by inflammation of the larynx (voice box), which leads to changes in the voice. It can make the voice sound breathy, raspy, scratchy, or strained, and may also affect its volume and pitch. This condition is classified as a type of dysphonia, a medical term used to describe voice disorders or any difficulty producing normal speech.
What Are the Symptoms Hoarseness?
Hoarseness occurs when there is an issue affecting the vocal cords, leading to changes in the voice. It can result from a wide range of conditions, including colds or sinus infections, acute laryngitis, and overuse or misuse of the voice. Other possible causes include benign vocal cord lesions, acid reflux, vocal cord hemorrhage, and exposure to irritants such as tobacco and alcohol.
In some cases, hoarseness may be linked to more serious medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders, cancer, injury to the voice box, or neurological diseases like Parkinson’s disease and spasmodic dysphonia, a chronic disorder affecting vocal cord function.
In many cases, hoarseness improves on its own without medical treatment. A common approach is to monitor symptoms while using home remedies such as resting the voice, staying well hydrated, and using a humidifier to keep the air moist.
Lifestyle adjustments can also help, including avoiding irritants like spicy foods, alcohol, and caffeine, quitting smoking, and reducing strain on the vocal cords by avoiding shouting, whispering, or speaking with improper pitch or volume.
If hoarseness lasts longer than three weeks, occurs without cold or flu symptoms, or affects swallowing, breathing, or daily activities, evaluation by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist is recommended. A provider may perform a physical examination and use tools such as laryngoscopy to examine the vocal cords. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause and may include medication, voice therapy, or surgery.