$Unique_ID{BRK01059}
$Pretitle{Respiratory System}
$Title{What Are the Causes of Hoarseness?}
$Subject{hoarse voice causes}
$Volume{H-6}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Are the Causes of Hoarseness?


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QUESTION:  Can you tell me the causes of hoarseness?  Can it ever be anything
really serious and how can you tell the serious kind from the ordinary kind?

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ANSWER:  Most hoarseness comes from a simple viral infection of the larynx or
voicebox.  You can tell the common kind because there's no pain and no
difficulty in breathing associated with it.  If it has come on suddenly and
has only lasted for a short period of time, it is probable that it may pass
simply by resting your voice and gargling on a regular basis.  A post-nasal
drip may created morning hoarseness, resulting from the accumulation of mucous
on the vocal cords.  My favorite gargle for these conditions is a teaspoonful
of salt and a glass of warm water (except when extra salt is prohibited by
other medical considerations).  Frequent gargling brings extra humidity to the
larynx and aids in the rapid resolution of the problem.  However, if
hoarseness persists for a long period of time, let's say more than two weeks,
and doesn't get better with these simple procedures, then your physician will
probably perform an examination called an indirect laryngoscopy.  That's the
procedure by which he uses a mirror to look down your throat and take a
careful look at your vocal cords.  This special examination plus the presence
of other symptoms, such as difficulty in breathing, pain in the throat that
may be associated with ear pain, fever, cough that can be associated with
sputum that is streaked with blood, all indicate the presence of something
more serious than common ordinary hoarseness.  The good news is that in 90% of
patients who do complain of hoarseness, the diagnosis is the simplest one that
has no long lasting ill effects.
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
