Your voice plays a crucial role in daily communication. However, if your voice becomes hoarse, it can impact your work and daily life. So, what is hoarseness, and how can it be effectively treated? Let’s find out this valuable information with our doctor at Hoan My Gold PXL!

What is hoarseness?

Hoarseness (also known as dysphonia) occurs when your voice sounds rough, raspy, strained or breathy. It may affect how loud you speak or your voice’s pitch (how high or low your voice sounds).

There are many causes of hoarseness, but it’s rarely a sign of a serious illness. However, if you experience persistent hoarseness that hasn’t gotten better after two weeks, you should see an ENT specialist.

Causes of hoarseness

• Laryngitis. This is the most common hoarseness cause. It happens when allergies, upper respiratory infections or sinus infections make your vocal cords swell.
• Using your voice more than usual. If you talk for too long, shout too loudly, sing too much, or speak in a higher or lower pitch than normal, you can become hoarse.
• Age. Your vocal cords get thin and limp as you age, which can affect your voice.
• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). Also known as heartburn, GERD is when your stomach acids go up into your throat. Sometimes the acids can go as high as your vocal cords, and that’s known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).
• Vocal nodules, cysts and polyps are noncancerous growths on your vocal cords.
• Vocal cord paralysis. Vocal cord paralysis means that one or both of your vocal cords don’t open or close as they should.
• Spasmodic dysphonia. This chronic neurological speech disorder changes the way your voice sounds.
• Neurological diseases and disorders. If you have a stroke or Parkinson’s disease, your condition may affect the part of your brain that controls the muscles in your larynx.
• Cancer. Cancers including laryngeal cancer, lung Cancer and throat cancer may make you sound hoarse.

How is hoarseness diagnosed?

Doctors will listen to your voice and may recommend following tests:

• Laryngoscopy.
• Stroboscopy (video-assisted examination of the vocal cords).
• Computed tomography (CT) scan.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Biopsy (if a growth or lesion is deteced).

Treatment for hoarseness

Treatment depends on the underlying cause:

• Overuse your voice. Limit speaking loudly or for prolonged periods.
• Conditions like colds, sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, cough, or LPR. Medications such as cold remedies, anti-inflammatory drugs, antitussives, or acid reflux treatments may be prescribed.
• Bengin vocal cord growth. Surgery may be needed to remove nodules, cysts, or polyps.
• Malignant conditions. Treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.

Prevention tips

Sometimes hoarseness is linked to medical conditions that you may not be able to prevent. But you can prevent hoarseness by taking care of your voice, particularly if you use it every day for a long time (e.g., teachers, singers, or public speakers). Here are some suggestions:

• Quit smoking.
• Avoid beverages that have alcohol and/or caffeine.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Use a humidifier.
• Avoid spicy foods.
• Avoid activities that strain your voice, like speaking for a long time, speaking loudly or shouting.

Comprehensive hoarseness care at Hoan My Gold PXL Medical Center

If you are experiencing prolonged hoarseness more than 2 weeks with no signs of improvement, Hoan My Gold PXL Medical Center is here to help. We take pride in providing high-quality medical services tailored to diagnosing and treating Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) condition.

With a dedicated team of ENT specialists and state-of-the-art medical equipment, we offer comprehensive consultation and treatment services for hoarseness, including:

• Identifying the underlying causes of hoarseness. Using advanced diagnosis tools such as laryngoscopy, stroboscopy, and imaging techniques like CT or MRI to accurately determine the root cause.
• Personalized treatment plans. Depending on the cause, our doctors will develop a tailored treatment plan, ranging from medication to surgical interventions, including high-tech options like laser therapy.
• Voice care counseling. Especially beneficial for professionals who rely heavily on their voices, such as teachers, singers, or public speakers.

For consultation and booking an appointment, please contact us at (028) 3990 3995 or 0901 840 678.

This article has been medically reviewed by Hoang Nguyen Quang Nguyen, MD – ENT Specialist at Hoan My Sai Gon Hospital.

References:

• Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.). Hoarseness. Cleveland Clinic.
• Mayo Clinic Health System. Hoarseness, Sparta, Wisconsin – Mayo Clinic Health System