Hoarseness is characterized by a raspy and strained voice. The condition can affect anyone at some point in life and occur out of nowhere. That said, more often than not, hoarseness is caused by an illness or disease of the larynx or the vocal cords. How does one determine whether hoarseness is a simple issue or something to be stressed about? This article will shed some insight into that. Additionally, it will also highlight the condition’s causes, symptoms, and treatment.

What it is

The vocal cords in the larynx, or voice box, play a vital role in the respiratory tract. They have a prominent V shape, connecting two bands of muscles. These bands in the vocal cords tend to vibrate and produce sound every time one speaks or sings.

If the vocal cords have been affected by any disorder, then the sound quality produced by the band can be different from the normal tone. Any irritation, inflammation, or injury to the vocal cord can result in hoarseness.

Symptoms of hoarseness
Hoarseness itself is an actual symptom of common ailments like laryngitis and others. Those with the condition might occasionally experience various symptoms of hoarseness. These include a raspy, croaky, or strained voice; a lower-pitched voice; a sore, dry throat; a persistent dry cough; a build-up of mucus in the throat; a frequent feeling to clear the throat; a subdued voice; or a complete loss of voice.

In severe cases, the condition might cause other symptoms. These include chronic coughing, coughing up blood, enlarged lymph nodes, trouble breathing, and difficulty swallowing.

Causes of hoarseness
Hoarseness is referred to as abnormal changes in the voice. Here are some common causes of hoarseness:

• A cold or infection: Those who have a cold or infection in their upper respiratory system, like the flu, might experience hoarseness.
• Laryngitis or bronchitis: Bronchitis and laryngitis are inflammatory conditions that cause a person’s voice to become raspy or hoarse.
• Laryngopharyngeal reflux: Laryngopharyngeal reflux happens when the acid in the stomach travels to the esophagus, irritating the voice box or larynx. It might also cause hoarseness.
• Strained voice box: Those who must have cheered, talked, or sung too loudly or at a higher pitch than the usual level might experience hoarseness due to the straining in the larynx.
• Muscle tension dysphonia: It is defined as a type of voice disorder that develops because of the enhanced activation of the throat muscles, especially due to yelling or singing. It can eventually lead to hoarseness, vocal fatigue, and pain in the throat.
• Cancer: If the hoarseness in the voice lasts more than three weeks, it can be a symptom of potential conditions like esophageal or laryngeal cancer.
• Neurological disorders and diseases: Certain neurological-related conditions like Parkinson’s disease and stroke can affect the part of the brain that controls the throat muscles. This, too, can cause hoarseness.
• Repetitive respiratory papillomatosis: It is also known as laryngeal papillomatosis, which tends to form non-cancerous tumor cells on the airway that can impact the vocal cord and result in hoarseness.
• Hemorrhage in the vocal fold: Incidents of physical trauma like excessive screaming or coughing too much can strain the blood vessels in the vocal cord, forming a vocal fold polyp that causes hoarseness.
• Paralysis of the vocal fold: When one or both of the vocal folds don’t function properly due to injury, infection, or cancer, it can lead to hoarseness.

Treatment options for hoarseness
Hoarseness is a warming sign from the body, indicating that something is not working right in the body. Therefore, it is only important to diagnose what’s causing it. Additionally, those experiencing this symptom must follow the treatment options mentioned below for a speedy recovery:

• Rest: Voice rest is recommended as the primary approach to preventing further irritation or injury to the vocal cords. One must rest their voice and avoid talking or yelling, as that can affect the vocal cords even more.
• Drink more fluid: Drinking plenty of water or hydrating fluids is recommended, as that moistens the throat muscles and eases the symptoms of hoarseness.
• Avoid caffeine: Make sure to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks or beverages, as it can dry out the throat muscles and make the condition even worse.
• Humidifier: Those experiencing hoarseness should use a humidifier. It adds moisture to the air, easing the airway and making it easier for one to breathe.
• Surgery: A healthcare professional might suggest surgery in rare cases when there is the formation of non-cancerous tumors like nodules or polyps on the vocal cords.

Hoarseness can be due to some minor issues that might go away in a few days, or it could also be a symptom of a severe underlying issue. However, in some cases, hoarseness can also lead to chronic ailments and reduce one’s quality of life. Therefore, managing it at the right time is essential to avoid the onset of long-term complications.