Hoarseness

Hoarseness is an abnormal change in the pitch, texture and volume of voice, resulting in the voice varying from being deep and harsh to strained, weak and raspy. Hoarseness is generally caused by an irritation of the vocal cord or an injury to the same. Our vocal cords are in a portion of the breathing tract in the voice box (larynx). When we speak, the vocal cords vibrate, producing a variety of different sounds.

When you suffer from common cold or a throat or a respiratory tract viral or bacterial infection, the vocal cords may get swollen due to inflammation, causing changes in your voice. Strenuously using your voice in such a condition may worsen hoarseness. Overusing your voice or misusing it over extended period, such as due to excessive yelling, speaking publicly without voice amplification instruments or singing loudly may also adversely affect your vocal cords. Besides these, allergies and thyroid problems may also lead to hoarseness.

GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux), which occurs when stomach acid comes up the swallowing tube (oesophagus) and irritates the vocal cords, is another possible cause of hoarseness. Paralysis of vocal cords due to a neurological disorder can also lead to hoarseness; hence it is also a symptom of neurological disorders. Smoking is also a common cause of hoarseness. In rare cases, persistent hoarseness may be a sign of larynx cancer, and smokers must not ignore persistent hoarseness of voice as they are at a high risk for throat cancer.

People who are professional singers or those who have a history of smoking are more prone to suffer from hoarseness of the voice. Persistent hoarseness that stretches beyond two weeks must not be ignored and a visit to the doctor is recommended.

When to seek expert advise

While hoarseness is a self-limiting disorder and usually clears up on its own, it should not be left untreated and undiagnosed if it lasts longer than two weeks. Fever along with hoarseness could also be a sign of a throat infection which may require antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.
Other serious symptoms which may occur along with hoarseness and must not be ignored include:

• Coughing up blood.

• Severe, persisting pain in the throat.

• Pain in the ears.

• Severe pain when swallowing which affects food intake.

• Weight loss.

These symptoms could indicate the presence of a serious underlying condition. If you have any of the above symptoms along with hoarseness, visit an ENT specialist of the Eye and ENT Service Line at The Aga Khan University Hospital to get your hoarseness evaluated by a qualified medical professional.

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