Hoarseness may be a sign of inflammation in the larynx, known as laryngitis. The larynx, also called the voice box, sits at the top of the throat and contains the vocal cords. 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. Laryngitis is one of the most common causes of a hoarse voice, and the condition can be acute or chronic. Acute laryngitis is usually due to an infection of the upper respiratory tract, such as the flu.
Healthcare professionals define laryngitis as chronic if it persists beyond 3 weeks. They may experience a hoarse voice quickly, which can affect their singing voice. Vocal cord paralysis occurs when one or both vocal folds fail to open or close properly. This can be due to:. Some neurological conditions can affect the parts of the brain that control the throat and larynx muscles. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid rises and irritates the throat.
In some people, it can damage the larynx. Healthcare professionals refer to this as laryngopharyngeal reflux LPR. GERD is a severe form of acid reflex. If a person has GERD, they may notice a hoarse voice that is worse in the morning. The indicators of a hoarse voice include a low, raspy voice. It can occur with other symptoms, depending on the underlying cause.
According to the Voice Foundation , other possible symptoms with a hoarse voice include:. Some symptoms might indicate a specific cause. For example, a bitter or sour taste in the mouth and worsening symptoms after consuming spicy foods may indicate GERD. In some cases, resting the voice and drinking plenty of water will help the larynx recover.
Hoarseness is typically caused by a viral infection in the upper respiratory tract. Other common factors that can cause, contribute to, or worsen your condition include:. Speak with your doctor if your hoarseness becomes a persistent issue, lasting more than one week for a child and 10 days for an adult. See your doctor promptly if hoarseness is accompanied by drooling in a child and difficulty swallowing or breathing.
A sudden inability to speak or put together coherent sentences may indicate a serious underlying medical condition. Your doctor may give you a breathing treatment using a mask or insert a breathing tube into your airway to assist you in breathing.
Your doctor will likely want to take an inventory of your symptoms with a thorough medical history to determine the underlying cause. They may ask about the quality and strength of your voice and the frequency and duration of your symptoms. Your doctor may ask about factors that worsen the condition of your symptoms, such as smoking and shouting or speaking for long periods.
Your doctor will likely examine your throat with a light and tiny mirror to look for any inflammation or abnormalities. Depending on your symptoms, they may take a throat culture , run a series of plain film X-rays of your throat, or recommend a CT scan another type of X-ray. Your doctor may also take a sample of your blood to run a complete blood count.
This assesses your red and white blood cell, platelet, and hemoglobin levels. Your doctor will be able to help determine the cause of your symptoms and the proper treatment. If you have persistent and chronic hoarseness , a serious underlying medical condition may be the cause.
Early intervention can often improve your outlook. Identifying and treating the cause of your persistent hoarseness may prevent your condition from worsening and limit any damage to your vocal cords or throat. You can take several actions to prevent hoarseness. Some prevention methods that may help protect your vocal cords are listed below.
Your vocal folds work the same way: They vibrate when your lungs push air through them, resulting in the sound you hear when you speak. It's the same with your voice; professional voice users will even do specific exercises to warm up so the folds vibrate better and they get rid of that morning voice.
Another culprit could be how you sleep at night. In less benign reasons, your different morning voice could also come down to acid reflux. Even if you love the sound of your morning voice, pay attention if it sticks around.
Even if you've never touched a cigarette, if your deep, raspy voice has way more longevity than your bedhead, it's time to head to the doctor. He or she can make sure your different-sounding morning voice isn't the result of anything more than a good night's rest.
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