Everything you need to know about hoarseness

What is hoarseness?

Hoarseness, also called dysphonia, is an abnormal change in the quality of your voice, making it sound raspy, strained, breathy, weak, higher or lower in pitch, inconsistent or fatigued, often making it harder to talk.

What are the causes?

1. Laryngitis
One of the most frequent reasons for a hoarse voice is laryngitis, either acute or chronic. An upper respiratory tract infection, like the flu, is typically the cause of acute laryngitis.
Overuse of the voice can also cause hoarseness, such as shouting, talking without stopping, singing too loudly, or speaking with a voice that is too high or too low.
Chronic laryngitis may be brought on by smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, gastric reflux illness, dust or substances that irritate the larynx.

2. Vocal nodules, cysts and polyps
Benign growths along the vocal folds can manifest as polyps, cysts or vocal nodules.
Voice nodules, often called singer’s nodes, develop in pairs on the vocal cords’ opposing sides. Excessive pressure or friction may arise from this.
Vocal polyps usually develop on one side of the vocal fold, whereas vocal cysts are hard growths of tissue inside the vocal cord.
Typically, voice therapy, surgery or rest are used as treatments.

3. Vocal fold haemorrhage
When a blood artery on the surface of the vocal fold bursts, it causes a vocal fold haemorrhage.
The singing voice may suffer if they quickly develop hoarseness. If this happens, the person should call a doctor and rest their voice right away.

4. Vocal cord paralysis
When one or both vocal folds are unable to open or close correctly, vocal cord paralysis results.
There are a few possible causes for this, including tumours in the base of the skull, neck or chest, lung cancer or cancer of the thyroid.
Surgery and vocal therapy are used as treatments.

5. Neurological conditions
The brain regions that regulate the muscles in the neck and larynx can be impacted by certain neurological disorders.
These could include a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or dysphonia spasmodic.

6. Acid reflux
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid rises and irritates the throat. In some people, it can damage the larynx, known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).
People with LPR may feel as if they have to clear their throat constantly.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a severe form of acid reflex with a hoarse voice that is worse in the morning.
Treatments include dietary changes and medication.

7. Cancer of the voice box

Hoarseness can be an early symptom of cancer in the voice box. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital in achieving positive outcomes.

What are the symptoms?

• Hoarseness that lasts more than four weeks, especially if you smoke
• Severe changes in voice lasting more than a few days
• Voice changes, such as raspy, strained, breathy, weak, higher or lower in pitch, inconsistent, fatigued or shaky
• Difficulty breathing
• Pain when speaking

If you have any of the above symptoms, it is recommended that you see an ENT.
For all queries or to book a consult, contact Dr Charlton’s rooms on 035 9028090 or 035 7925569.