Most of the time hoarseness is just an inconvenience. It usually starts as a scratchy throat that slowly transforms your voice into raspy hoarseness. This is also called dysphonia. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, this affects nearly one-third of the population.

Hoarseness occurs when there are problems with the vocal cords or parts of your voice box or larynx. Hoarseness is often caused by colds, allergies, or reflux, but chronic hoarseness can indicate a more serious problem.

How does your voice box work?

First, the air is pushed out of the vocal cords. Then, passing air causes the cords to vibrate, which produces sound and speech, according to the Mayo Clinic. An irritated throat or vocal cords can interfere with this process.

What causes hoarseness?

It’s important to remember that hoarseness is a symptom of a health problem. Treating symptoms won’t resolve the underlying cause. Therefore, it is so important to see your local ear, nose, and throat physician who will be able to get to the heart of the problem and find an effective treatment plan.

Common Causes of Hoarseness

The common cold or an upper respiratory infection is the most common cause of hoarseness. Other causes include:

Laryngitis, or inflammation of the vocal cords
Overusing your voice
Allergies that caused inflammation
Medication side effects
Vocal cord spasms
Smoking or exposure to smoke
Heartburn
Intubation –When a tube is passed through the mouth in order to assist breathing

Hoarseness is more common in people who use their voice frequently in their everyday careers, such as singers, coaches, and teachers. It’s also seen a lot in those over 65 or boys between the ages of 8 and 14.

Serious diseases that can cause hoarseness

While many cases of hoarseness are minor, they can be caused by serious diseases such as:

Head and neck cancer
Cancer of the larynx
Rheumatoid arthritis
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease

How long does hoarseness last?

If your dysphonia is related to an allergy, cold, or upper respiratory infection, it should go away within seven to 10 days. If it does not get better within two weeks, you should schedule an appointment with your Colorado ENT. Since this could be a sign of a more complex problem. Other indicators of a more serious problem are:

Coughing up blood
Pain when swallowing
Difficulty breathing
A lump in your neck
Significant voice changes

Why am I hoarse? Here are some effective remedies for hoarseness

Giving your voice a break
Adding a humidifier to your home
Stay hydrated, especially if you live in a dry area
Avoiding excessive coughing and throat clearing
Voice therapy to modify how the voice is used. This may be especially helpful to those who use their voice frequently in their daily jobs

Depending upon the underlying cause, surgery might be necessary, especially if a mass is found in the neck, in which case, our doctor may order an MRI, CT scan or a biopsy.

Things to help prevent hoarseness

Avoid spicy food
Avoid tobacco products
Stop smoking and eliminate exposure to smoke
Avoid dehydrating drinks, such as beer, wine, and caffeinated drinks.
Don’t overuse your voice
Get allergy treatments

Only an ENT can determine the exact cause of your hoarseness

There are many potential causes of hoarseness. While most are benign, some can carry life-threatening consequences if left undiagnosed. Our Colorado ENT physicians have extensive experience that enables us to accurately pinpoint the cause of your problems and offer customized solutions to help you.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us.