Has your voice become hoarse? (Hoarseness) Let's find out exactly about this!

Sometimes when you wake up in the morning, your voice feels a little different, a little hoarse, right? It's like it's a little harder to speak. Maybe it's the day after you screamed hard at a cricket match, or it's normal for this to happen when you have a bad cold. But if this hoarseness in your voice continues for several days, is it normal? Or should we be concerned about it? Let's talk about everything in a simple way today.

What exactly is hoarseness?

Hoarseness, or in medical terms, ``dysphonia,'' is when the normal quality of your voice changes, making it harsh, rough, or labored. Sometimes, your voice may sound very low and even windy. This condition can affect the volume (how loud you speak) and the ``pitch'' of your voice.

Think of it this way: our voice is like the strings of a guitar. When those strings vibrate properly, sweet music comes out. The two vocal cords in our throat are the same. When we speak, the air coming from the lungs vibrates these vocal cords, and sound is produced. So if anything happens to these vocal cords, that is, if they swell, if they get injured, or if they don't work properly, the voice that comes out loses its clarity and becomes hoarse. That's simply what happens.

Symptoms to be afraid of! If you have these, see a doctor immediately

Hoarseness usually improves on its own within a few days, especially if you reduce the amount of time you use your voice. However, if it persists for more than three weeks , or if you have any of the symptoms below, it is not worth ignoring. You should definitely see your doctor.

Why does our voice become hoarse? Some of the main reasons

There can be a variety of reasons why your voice becomes hoarse. Some are very simple, temporary things. But sometimes it can be a symptom of another medical condition.

The most common reasons

• Laryngitis: This is the most common cause of hoarseness. Colds, flu, and sinus infections can cause our vocal cords to swell. They don't vibrate properly, which can cause hoarseness.
• Excessive use of the voice: People like teachers, singers, and call center workers who talk all day long put a lot of strain on their vocal cords. Also, shouting at a sports match or shouting loudly during a fight can damage the vocal cords and cause a hoarse voice.
• Aging: As we age, like other muscles in our body, our vocal cords also become thinner and weaker. Therefore, it is normal to experience changes in our voice as we age.
• Gastritis and Acid Reflux (GERD): In gastritis, which is common in many people, stomach acid flows up into the throat. Sometimes, these acids can reach the vocal cords and damage them. This is medically known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). This is also a major cause of hoarseness.

Less common causes

• Vocal cord hemorrhage: Screaming loudly can cause a tiny blood vessel in the vocal cords to burst. This is similar to a bruise on the skin.
• Vocal nodules, cysts and polyps: Long-term misuse of the voice can cause small, non-cancerous lumps to form on the vocal cords.
• Neurological diseases: Diseases related to the nervous system, such as stroke and Parkinson's disease, can affect the nerves that control the vocal cords from the brain.
• Cancer: This is something that many people fear. But it is often overlooked. Hoarseness can be a symptom of conditions such as laryngeal cancer, lung cancer, or throat cancer. Especially if a smoker has a hoarse voice for several weeks, it is not something to take lightly.

How does the doctor check this?

When you go to see a doctor, he will first ask you a few questions.

• How long has this roughness been there?
• Did this come on suddenly, or did it increase gradually?
• Have you recently caught a cold?
• Are there any other symptoms?
• Do you smoke? Do you drink alcohol?

The doctor will then examine your throat and neck. If necessary, he or she may refer you for further tests to investigate the condition.

• Laryngoscopy: A test in which a tube with a small camera is inserted through the nose or mouth to look directly at the vocal cords.
• Videostroboscopy: A special test that uses video to watch the vocal cords vibrate.
• CT scan or MRI scan: These tests can help you find out more about a lump in your neck.
• Biopsy: If there is a suspicious area, a small piece of tissue is taken and examined.

Things we can do to protect our voices

There are a few simple things we can do to prevent hoarseness and to quickly heal the condition when it occurs.

• Give your voice a rest: If your voice is hoarse, the best thing you can do is to talk as little as possible. Avoid whispering, as whispering puts more strain on your vocal cords.
• Avoid smoking completely: The biggest service you can do for your voice is to quit smoking if you do. Being around other people who smoke (secondhand smoke) is also not good.
• Drink plenty of water: Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. This will help keep your throat moist.
• Reduce caffeine and alcohol: Things like coffee, tea, and alcohol can dehydrate the body, so it's best to limit them.
• Avoid spicy foods: These foods can aggravate GERD.
• Use a humidifier: Using a humidifier to maintain moisture in the air is beneficial for your throat, especially if you are in air-conditioned rooms.
• Avoid shouting: Use a device like a microphone when you need to speak loudly or shout.

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