Table of contents:
- What causes hoarseness?
- Another cause of hoarseness
- Symptoms of hoarseness that need to be watched out for
- How to quickly treat hoarseness
Hoarseness is a symptom that is indicated by a decrease in voice quality that becomes weak, heavy, or sounds hoarse. A person experiencing these symptoms will have difficulty speaking aloud or have pain when swallowing. Hoarseness indicates a disturbance in the vocal cords in the throat. The causes can range from minor health problems, shouting or singing too loudly to serious illness.
What causes hoarseness?
Hoarseness or hoarseness occurs when there is irritation or injury to the vocal cords that produce sound waves. The vocal cords are located in the throat, precisely in the larynx, which is located between the bottom of the base of the tongue and the trachea.
According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, irritation of the vocal cords can be caused by a number of conditions. The most common cause of hoarseness, namely acute laryngitis or inflammation of the vocal cords due to a viral infection such as flu or mumps.
Not only that, activity of the vocal cords that is too intense, such as shouting or singing too loudly, can also cause a hoarse throat due to irritation.
The vocal cords consist of two separate (V-shaped) muscle tissues. When speaking, both vocal cords will and vibrate along with the release of air as you exhale.
Irritation of the vocal cords will have an impact on vibration (vibrations) and closure of the vocal cords, resulting in hoarse or broken sound waves.
Another cause of hoarseness
Although generally caused by inflammation of the larynx, there are other diseases that cause hoarseness such as:
- Vocal cord irritation due to vocal cord cysts, lumps, or polyps.
- Irritation of the respiratory tract
- Thyroid disorders
- Vocal cord cancer
- Nerve conditions, such as Parkinson's disease and stroke
- Gastric acid reflux (GERD)
- Allergy
Apart from illness, some of the following conditions and habits can also cause hoarseness:
- Smoke
- Trauma (injury) due to impact to the larynx or vocal cords
- Puberty in boys aged 10-15 years
- Atrophy of the vocal cords (decreased function of the vocal cords as you age)
- Exposure to irritants, such as pollution or chemical waste
- Long-term side effects of corticosteroid medications for asthma
- Complications from vocal cord surgery
Symptoms of hoarseness that need to be watched out for
Hoarseness is usually characterized by a voice that sounds heavy and cracked. It is also indicated by a change in pitch or a weaker volume. You may also experience a sore throat or throat that feels sore, dry, and itchy.
This can result in difficulty speaking or swallowing food. Well, if you continue to experience hoarseness for more than 1 week, you should immediately have your condition checked by an ENT specialist.
Moreover, if the hoarse voice is also accompanied by symptoms, such as:
- Difficulty breathing
- Sore throat when talking
- The decline in sound quality got worse within a few days
- The voice trembled and almost disappeared
- Hoarseness of the throat lasts more than 4 weeks, especially for active smokers
How to quickly treat hoarseness
Treatment for hoarseness usually varies, depending on the condition or disease that caused it. That is why, the doctor will conduct an examination first to determine the diagnosis.
The examination will be focused on the head, neck and head to see any inflammation in the throat. If necessary, an examination through a laryngoscopy (optical binoculars) will be performed to observe the condition of the vocal cords directly.
Meanwhile, to determine whether it is really caused by a viral infection, the doctor can do a swab test (swab test) and blood tests. Examination through X-rays or CT images scan throat will be needed if another disease is suspected.
Based on the cause, how to treat hoarseness varies depending on what is the cause, such as:
- Vocal cord surgery to repair damage to the vocal cords function
- Sound therapy with a technique by voice for injury to the vocal cords
- Increase fluid consumption
- Radiation or chemotherapy for vocal cord cancer
- Speech therapy, voice exercises, or botulinum toxin injection (Botox®) for impaired nerve function that paralyzes the vocal cords
Even so, hoarseness that is mild in nature — usually caused by laryngitis — can still be treated independently at home. The following are some natural hoarseness treatments:
- Get plenty of rest and fluid consumption
- Inhale warm steam to soothe your throat
- Rest your voice by not speaking much until it returns to normal
- It is recommended to quit smoking for active smokers
- Avoid consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods, especially if they are caused by acid reflux (GERD).
