Hoarseness

Hoarseness is a condition characterized by abnormal voice changes. Hoarseness can be caused by a number of conditions including laryngitis, neurological disorders, polyps, smoking, and more.

Causes

Hoarseness can be caused by several conditions, including:

• Laryngitis: This is the most common cause of hoarseness and is caused by inflammation of the larynx.
• Neurological disorders: Conditions such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, and myasthenia gravis can cause hoarseness.
• Polyps: These are small growths on the vocal cords that can cause hoarseness.
• Smoking: The harmful chemicals in cigarettes can damage the vocal cords, leading to hoarseness.

Symptoms

The main symptom of hoarseness is a change in your voice. You may sound breathy, raspy, or strained, or there may be changes in your voice volume (loudness) or pitch (how high or low your voice is).

Treatment

Treatment for hoarseness depends on the underlying cause. This may include:

• Resting your voice: This is often the best treatment for hoarseness due to overuse or strain.
• Quitting smoking: If smoking is the cause of your hoarseness, quitting can help improve your voice.
• Medication or surgery: If hoarseness is caused by a medical condition, such as laryngitis or polyps, medication or surgery may be necessary.

Prevention

Preventing hoarseness involves taking care of your voice. This includes:

• Avoiding shouting or screaming: These can strain your vocal cords.
• Not smoking: Smoking can damage your vocal cords.
• Staying hydrated: Dry vocal cords can become irritated and cause hoarseness.

See also

• Laryngitis
• Neurological disorders
• Polyps
• Smoking

Hoarseness Resources
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