[vc_row no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”][vc_column width=”2/3″][text_output]Hoarseness is the roughness of the throat causing a scratchy-sounding voice that’s well – hoarse. There are many underlying causes, most of them being poor smoking habits or acute laryngitis. While Hoarseness itself is not a deadly condition, it could point to underlying problems such as cancer of the larynx or other neurological conditions.
While you may think that leaving hoarseness untreated for long periods of time may be the only treatment, it could prove to be a tremendous error. Over 12,000 cases of larynx cancer will be diagnosed in 2014, so it is no laughing matter to ignore any signs of hoarseness. With a disease as serious as cancer and symptoms that are literally vocal to their victims, having a hoarse throat requires medical attention if lasting for over 2 weeks with no symptoms for other diseases such as strep throat. Only your Ears, Nose and Throat doctor in Arlington, Dallas, or Fort Worth can help you determine what course of action to take if this is the case.
Hoarseness is a symptom for other serious diseases as well, including:
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Benign vocal cord nodules, polyps and cysts
- Smoking
- Thyroid issues
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Strokes
With a list of diseases like the one listed above, your local ENT doctor should be the first person you consult when dealing with hoarseness.
On a lighter note, if the underlying cause is Acute Laryngitis, the upper respiratory tract infection will usually clear up on its own as the body naturally fights off the infection. Cough suppressants and using a humidifier with bed rest will generally speed up the issue. It is also recommended to rest the voice, meaning that the patient should refrain from using their voice at all. Another recommended if not obvious factor should be smoking cessation if the patient smokes. While there is not a recommended antibiotic for Acute Laryngitis, at-home rest is generally the best medicine coupled with cough suppressants.
Preventing hoarseness is as easy as making minor lifestyle changes. This can be avoiding situations that require strenuous use of your voice and instead of yelling or shouting, using a microphone or megaphone to project sound. Individuals who have hoarseness of the throat caused by GERD will benefit from medications prescribed by your ENT doctor and making dietary changes such as avoiding spicy foods, excessive alcohol, and high levels of caffeine.
If the underlying cause is GERD, there are medicines that your ENT doctor can prescribe. In more uncommon instances, surgery could be required to remove benign nodules, polyps, or even tumors in the larynx.
If you have had hoarseness of the throat for 10 days or more, it is extremely important that you consult Central Park ENT for diagnosis and treatment. Hoarseness itself is not very harmful as it is annoying, but leaving it untreated for long periods of time could prove to be very poor judgment. Contact Central Park ENT in Arlington, Dallas or Fort Worth to learn the underlying cause of your hoarseness and seek treatment.[/text_output][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][image type=”none” float=”none” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” src=”519″][/vc_column][/vc_row]