What is Good for Hoarseness?

Hoarseness is a problem that almost everyone encounters from time to time. Voice problems can be solved by eliminating the conditions that cause hoarseness. So, what causes hoarseness? My voice is hoarse, what is good for the vocal cords? You can find the answers to all these questions in the rest of the article.

What is Hoarseness?

Hoarseness occurs when the vocal cords are damaged for various reasons. In this case, the vocal cords vibrate and have problems producing sound. Hoarseness may be accompanied by problems such as coarsening and thickening of the voice.

What Causes Hoarseness?

In order for sound to occur in humans, air must hit the vocal cords located in the larynx. Air hitting the vocal cords creates vibration, allowing sound to be produced. Why is the sound hoarse? If you are wondering about the subject; We must say that hoarseness can occur due to many different reasons. While some of these reasons cause temporary hoarseness, some may cause permanent hoarseness.

The most common causes of hoarseness are:

Cold

Cold disrupts the sensitive sound-making mechanism in the larynx. It does this by causing inflammation in the throat. As a result of inflammation, the vocal cords swell and this swelling disrupts the vibration of the strings. As a result, hoarseness occurs in people who have a cold.

Using Too Much Voice

Many different types of muscles in the throat are used when speaking or singing. As with other muscles in the body, the muscles in the throat can become tired, damaged and cause hoarseness as a result of long-term use. Using wrong vocal techniques can also cause hoarseness. Examples of misuse of voice include behaviors such as:

• Talking, shouting, singing or coughing too much
• Using voices that are higher or lower than normal tone of voice
• Talking on the phone by squeezing the phone between the neck and shoulder

To smoke

Smoking can damage the vocal cords and cause long-term problems such as persistent hoarseness. Scientific studies show that voice disorders; It has been shown that it is three times more common in people who have smoked before or are still smokers than in people who have never smoked.
allergies

The most common allergy symptoms are runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing. In addition, allergies cause some changes in the voice. These changes:

• It may cause swelling of the vocal cords due to an allergic reaction.
• A condition called postnasal drip, where mucus secretion moves from the nose to the throat, can irritate the vocal cords.
• Throat clearing and coughing behaviors can cause strain on the vocal cords.

Antihistamine medications used to treat allergic conditions can dry the throat. Vocal cords need a moist environment to function properly. Therefore, dryness in the throat negatively affects the vocal cords.

Laryngitis

Inflammation of the larynx, that is, the larynx, is called laryngitis. Laryngitis is one of the most common causes of hoarseness. Laryngitis can be acute or chronic. The most common cause of acute laryngitis, which causes sudden hoarseness, is upper respiratory tract infections such as influenza . Chronic laryngitis may occur as a result of situations such as misuse of the voice, excessive alcohol consumption, or inhalation of smoke or chemical gases. Asthma patients using steroid inhalers may also develop laryngitis due to fungal infection in the throat.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Reflux is a disorder in which stomach contents leak back into the esophagus. Stomach contents that escape may come up to the mouth. The most common symptom of reflux is heartburn. In addition, acidic stomach contents in reflux may damage the vocal cords in the throat. As a result of the damage, symptoms such as hoarseness and excessive mucus production in the throat may occur.

Nodules, Polyps and Cysts

Although the underlying mechanism is not fully elucidated, it is known that benign structures can form in the vocal cords. It is thought that excessive use of voice may be effective in the formation of these structures.

Nodules are callus-like structures that form in the middle of the vocal cords. These structures usually disappear after vocal rest.

Polyps mostly occur on one side of the vocal cords. Polyps may vary in size and shape. Unlike nodules, polyps do not disappear on their own; they usually need to be removed surgically.

Cysts are fluid-filled masses that form near the vocal cords. If cysts cause serious voice disorders, surgical removal may be considered.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis; It is an autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints. Approximately 1 in 3 of rheumatoid arthritis patients experience problems such as sore throat and hoarseness (3). This is because the disease affects the small joints in the throat and changes the working mechanism of the vocal cords.

Thyroid Problems

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower part of the neck. Hormones secreted from the thyroid take part in regulating body metabolism. When a problem occurs in the functioning of the thyroid, the thyroid gland enlarges and a condition called goiter occurs. Goiter may cause coughing in the patient and lead to impaired speech.

Larynx Cancer

Prolonged hoarseness may be a symptom of laryngeal cancer. In addition to hoarseness in laryngeal cancer;

• Feeling of pain while swallowing
• Earache
• difficulty breathing
• Symptoms such as a palpable mass in the throat may also be observed.

Neurological Diseases

Neurological disorders that affect the nerves, such as Parkinson’s disease, can cause problems with the use of muscles in the face and throat. Most Parkinson’s patients have speech and voice disorders, such as hoarseness.

What is Good for Hoarseness?

Hoarse voice treatment is based on the underlying cause. For example, rest and plenty of fluid intake are recommended for the treatment of hoarseness due to viral upper respiratory infection. Antibiotic medications can be used for laryngitis due to bacterial infection.

For hoarseness secondary to rheumatoid arthritis or thyroid disease, treatment of these diseases is started first.

Laryngeal cancer treatment is planned by taking into account parameters such as the type of cancer, its spread and the general condition of the patient. In the light of these parameters, treatment methods such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can be applied to patients.

How to cure hoarseness, what is good for hoarseness? There are various applications that can help correct the problem of hoarseness. Things that are good for hoarseness, especially stopping tobacco use:

• Resting the voice: Not talking or shouting for a few days can help the vocal cords recover. Whispering while doing voice rest is not a recommended behavior. Because whispering causes even more strain on the vocal cords.
• Drinking plenty of fluids:Beverages can keep the throat moist and relieve hoarseness.
• Staying away from alcohol and caffeine:Alcohol and caffeine can dry out the throat and make the voice problem worse.
• Taking a hot shower:The steam in the shower helps open the respiratory tract and moisturize the throat.
• Sucking lozenges or chewing gum:Behaviors such as chewing gum and sucking lozenges increase saliva secretion and keep the throat soft and moist.
• Removing allergens from the environment:Allergens can make hoarseness worse. For this reason, allergens should be kept as far away from the environment as possible.

Hoarseness can occur due to many reasons. Hoarseness may be due to relatively simple conditions such as allergies and viral infections, or it may occur due to serious conditions such as cancer. For this reason, in case of hoarseness that does not improve on its own or is accompanied by various other symptoms, it is recommended to consult a doctor and have the necessary check-ups.