Hoarseness meaning

Overview People develop a voice disorder for many reasons. A voice disorder is a change in how the voice sounds. Health care providers trained in ear, nose and throat illnesses and speech-language pathologists diagnose and treat voice issues. Treatment depends on what's causing the voice change. Treatment can include voice therapy, drugs, shots or surgery. Causes The voice box, also called the larynx, is made of a smooth covering, muscle and soft, moist areas. The voice box sits at the top of the windpipe, also known as the trachea, and the base of the tongue. The vocal cords vibrate to create sound. Air moving through the voice box causes the vocal cords to vibrate and brings them closer together. The vocal cords also help close the voice box during swallowing to stop you from breathing in food or liquid. If vocal cords become swollen, or inflamed, develop growths or can't move as they should, they can't work properly. Any of these might cause a voice disorder. Some common voice disorders include: • • Voice changes related to the brain and nervous system, known as spasmodic dysphonia (spaz-MOD-ki dis-FOE-nee-uh) • Polyps, nodules or cysts on the vocal cords — growths that aren't cancer • Precancerous and cancerous growths • • White patches, also known as Risk factors Many factors can lead to a voice disorder, such as: • Aging • Alcohol use • • Conditions related to the brain and nervous system, such as Parkinson's disease or a stroke • • Illnesses, such as • Scarring from...

What is hoarseness? Hoarseness is a condition marked by changes in the pitch or quality of the voice, which may sound weak, scratchy or husky. Hoarseness can be caused by misuse or overuse of the voice, viruses, and growths on the vocal cords like cysts, papillomas, polyps and nodules, among other things. What are symptoms of hoarseness? • Abnormally weak, breathy or coarse voice • Change in voice pitch • Using that the voice is more effortful or fatigues easily Depending on the underlying condition causing the hoarseness, other symptoms may be present. For example, a viral illness can also result in a sore throat, coughing and sneezing. Sometimes, hoarseness can be associated with change in swallowing or breathing. How is hoarseness diagnosed? • Physical exam of the head and neck • Laryngoscopy (visualization of the larynx with a laryngoscope), usually performed in a doctor’s office • Possibly imaging tests of the vocal cords and throat Hoarseness Treatment The underlying cause will determine the treatment, so proper testing and diagnosis are crucial. Hoarseness caused by a viral infection will go away on its own most of the time. Other conditions may require treatment other than watchful waiting — for instance, hoarseness related to a growth on the vocal cords generally will not improve unless the lesion is removed surgically. When to Call for Help If hoarseness does not resolve on its own within a week or two, if it causes difficulty in your social or professional life,...

Vocal cords open and closed Vocal cords open when you breathe and then close to produce sound when vibrating together. Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box (larynx) from overuse, irritation or infection. Inside the larynx are your vocal cords — two folds of mucous membrane covering muscle and cartilage. Normally, your vocal cords open and close smoothly, forming sounds through their movement and vibration. But with laryngitis, your vocal cords become inflamed or irritated. This makes the vocal cords swell, which distorts the sounds produced by air passing over them. As a result, your voice sounds hoarse. In some cases of laryngitis, your voice can become almost undetectable. Laryngitis may be short-lived (acute) or long lasting (chronic). Most cases of laryngitis are triggered by a temporary viral infection and aren't serious. Persistent hoarseness can sometimes signal a more serious underlying medical condition. Symptoms In most cases laryngitis symptoms last less than a couple of weeks and are caused by something minor, such as a virus. Less often, laryngitis symptoms are caused by something more serious or long lasting. Laryngitis signs and symptoms can include: • Hoarseness • Weak voice or voice loss • Tickling sensation and rawness in your throat • Sore throat • Dry throat • Dry cough When to see a doctor You can manage most acute cases of laryngitis with self-care steps, such as resting your voice and drinking plenty of fluids. Strenuous use of your voice ...

A hoarse voice is where the vocal cords become inflamed, causing a low, raspy voice. The inflammation can be due to several factors. Some causes are temporary, such as excessive shouting. This article discusses the possible reasons for a hoarse voice, whether it is a cause for concern, and some treatment options. Share on Pinterest CGN089/Shutterstock The Hoarseness may be a sign of The vocal cords are two bands of cartilage and muscle that vibrate when a person speaks or eats. The size and shape of the vocal folds determine how a voice sounds. Swelling or irritation of the vocal cords can limit the usual vibrational movement, leading to a person’s voice becoming hoarse. There can be several causes of a hoarse voice, including the below. Laryngitis Laryngitis is one of the most It can also occur due to overusing the voice, for example: • shouting • speaking loudly • singing loudly • talking for too long without rest • speaking in a voice that is too low or too high Healthcare professionals define laryngitis as chronic if it persists beyond Possible causes of chronic laryngitis include: • smoking • excessive alcohol use • • exposure to chemicals or dust that irritate the larynx Vocal nodules, cysts, and polyps Vocal nodules, cysts, and polyps are benign growths that can appear along the vocal folds. • Vocal nodules, or singer’s nodes, grow in pairs on the opposite sides of a person’s vocal cords. This can result in too much pressure or friction. • A vocal cyst is a hard gro...