We often get hoarseness after a cold or flu, but there are other conditions that may occur with it Hoarseness So what are these cases and what is the treatment hoarseness? Follow this article with us.

What is hoarseness?

The hoarse voice is not a disease in itself, but it is a symptom of several pathological conditions, where an abnormal change occurs in the voice, and the voice becomes very low with the feeling of air coming out, so it seems as if the person is panting or the voice becomes rough and tense. This hoarseness occurs as a result of a disorder in the vocal cords, and there are several diseases that may cause this hoarseness, but fortunately most of them are not serious cases, but they may also be a symptom of a more serious disease. If the hoarseness continues for more than two weeks, you should consult a doctor.

Causes of hoarseness

There are several conditions and diseases that may cause hoarseness, including the following:

Laryngitis

Laryngitis is one of the most common causes of hoarseness of the voice, in which there is swelling of the vocal cords as a result of an upper respiratory infection, a common cold, or allergies. The hoarseness usually disappears with treatment of the cause.

Excessive stress of the voice

Such as shouting, singing loudly, cheering in matches, and talking for a very long time without rest. The people most vulnerable to a hoarse voice are teachers in schools, singers, and lecturers because of their frequent consumption of their vocal cords without giving them the opportunity to rest. This condition is also one of the reasons Hoarseness of voice in infants Because of a lot of crying and screaming.

GERD

People with GERD are always exposed to hoarseness due to acid coming out of the stomach and going up the throat, which causes irritation to the tissues in the larynx and vocal cords. Hoarseness is usually at its worst in the early morning, then the voice gradually improves with the passing of the hours of the day.

Nodules, benign tumors and cysts on the vocal cords

People who are most susceptible to vocal nodules are singers because they constantly put pressure on the vocal cords, causing these nodes to form on both sides of the vocal cord. A non-cancerous benign tumor may also form on one side of the vocal cord, or a mass of hard tissue may form in a membranous cyst. It’s called an intravocal cyst, and they’re all treatable conditions.

Vocal cord hemorrhage

This bleeding occurs due to the rupture of a blood vessel on the surface of the vocal cord, and the tissues around it are filled with blood Causes of sudden hoarseness It occurs after the vocal cords are suddenly exhausted while screaming, which causes bleeding. Hoarseness may appear more during singing, for example, and does not appear when speaking normally, but this condition requires treatment and a visit to the doctor.

Vocal cord paralysis

This vocal cord paralysis may occur due to an injury to the chest, neck, head, thyroid problems, brain or chest tumors, or an infection. Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis patients can also suffer from vocal cord paralysis, and there may be reasons Other types of this disease, but it is treatable with some techniques of sound therapy or surgery.

Neurological diseases and disorders

Some neurological diseases may also cause hoarseness due to the effect on the brain centers that control the movement of the muscles of the throat and larynx. Hoarseness may also be a symptom of Parkinson’s disease or a stroke.

Other diseases that cause hoarseness

There are several other cases that may be very serious. If the hoarseness persists for more than two weeks, you should go to the doctor. These cases are:

• Throat Cancer
• Laryngeal papilloma, which causes non-cancerous growths to form along the larynx and airways.

Hoarseness related to the heart

There is a reason for hoarseness related to a heart disease called Ortner syndrome. This syndrome was very common in the past due to the large number of untreated rheumatic heart diseases, but it has become relatively rare nowadays. Pressure occurs on the nerves of the larynx due to the enlargement of the pulmonary artery, which causes hoarseness

Diagnosis of hoarseness

When you go to the ENT doctor, he will conduct a physical examination and ask you about other symptoms you suffer from, and ask you if you smoke or not because smoking also has a negative effect on the vocal cords. The doctor will also examine the larynx using a laryngoscope to give clearer pictures of the condition of the larynx to reveal the Glitch out or throat in general.

The doctor will also test the quality of your voice and hearing the sound layers will reveal the presence of certain diseases such as infection, cysts or tumors. The doctor will request other examinations in case of suspicion of the presence of another disease, such as X-rays on the throat or CT scan.

Hoarseness treatment

There are several ways to treat hoarseness, the most important of which is resting the vocal cords. These treatments include:

Home treatment of hoarseness

• Avoid talking as much as possible for several days, and do not whisper either, as this causes stress to the vocal cords as well.
• Drink plenty of fluids that moisturize the throat.
• Avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages that dry out the throat.
• Use a humidifier that helps open up your air passages and helps you breathe more easily.
• stop smoking.
• Don’t try to clear your throat, it only makes the situation worse.
• Avoid exposure to an allergen if it is causing your hoarseness.
• Avoid taking any decongestants as they can further dry out the throat.

Treating hoarseness with medication

It is possible that the doctor prescribes some medications to treat hoarseness according to the disease that causes it. For example, if the cause is GERD or allergies, then medications that treat these diseases can relieve symptoms, including hoarseness.

When is resort to surgery?

The doctor may resort to surgical intervention if the cause of hoarseness is the presence of some tumors, nodes, or cysts on the vocal cords, which require surgical removal, and also in the case of laryngeal cancer.

Herbal vocal cord treatment

If the cause of hoarseness is laryngitis, some herbs may help treat inflammation and get rid of hoarseness, such as:

• Chamomile tea with honey.
• Fresh ginger root drink.
• Diluted vinegar to gargle.
• Eat fresh garlic with food.

Prevention of hoarseness

• Avoid situations that strain the vocal cords, and if it is necessary to speak in a loud voice, such as speaking in large halls, you can use a microphone.
• Try to quit smoking.
• Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Avoid foods that cause acidity.
• Reduce your intake of caffeinated drinks and completely avoid alcohol.
• Try to stay humid and stay away from places with dry air, or use a humidifier in dry places.

Finally, if all these treatment methods are ineffective, and the hoarseness of the voice persists for more than two weeks, or is accompanied by other abnormal symptoms, we remind you of the need to consult a doctor immediately and not to wait, and if you have any questions, you can consult one of our doctors from here.