Hoarse voice: Difference between revisions

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= Hoarseness (Dysphonia) =
{{SI}}
 
{{Infobox medical condition
[[File:Human Larynx Model (50692886813).jpg|thumb|Anatomical illustration of the human larynx, related to hoarseness.]]
| name                    = Hoarse voice
 
| image                  = [[File:Human_Larynx_Model_(50692886813).jpg|thumb|Larynx model]]
== Overview ==
| caption                = Model of the human larynx
| field                  = [[Otolaryngology]]
| synonyms                = Dysphonia
| symptoms                = [[Hoarseness]], [[raspy voice]], [[strained voice]]
| complications          = [[Vocal cord nodules]], [[laryngitis]]
| onset                  = Sudden or gradual
| duration                = Varies, depending on cause
| causes                  = [[Viral infection]], [[vocal strain]], [[allergies]], [[smoking]], [[gastroesophageal reflux disease]]
| risks                  = [[Smoking]], [[excessive voice use]], [[allergies]]
| diagnosis              = [[Laryngoscopy]], [[voice assessment]]
| differential            = [[Laryngitis]], [[vocal cord paralysis]], [[thyroid disease]]
| prevention              = Avoiding [[smoking]], [[hydration]], [[voice rest]]
| treatment              = [[Voice therapy]], [[medication]], [[surgery]]
| prognosis              = Generally good with treatment
| frequency              = Common
}}
'''Hoarseness''', medically termed as '''dysphonia''', is a common voice disorder where the voice sounds breathy, raspy, strained, or exhibits changes in volume or pitch. It can be accompanied by a scratchy feeling in the throat.
'''Hoarseness''', medically termed as '''dysphonia''', is a common voice disorder where the voice sounds breathy, raspy, strained, or exhibits changes in volume or pitch. It can be accompanied by a scratchy feeling in the throat.
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== Causes ==
== Causes ==
Hoarseness is primarily a symptom of issues affecting the vocal folds in the larynx (voice box).
Hoarseness is primarily a symptom of issues affecting the vocal folds in the larynx (voice box).
=== Common Causes ===
=== Common Causes ===
* '''Laryngitis''': Often resulting from an upper respiratory infection, cold, or allergies.
* '''Laryngitis''': Often resulting from an upper respiratory infection, cold, or allergies.
* '''Vocal Strain''': Caused by excessive yelling, prolonged talking, singing loudly, or speaking in an unnatural pitch.
* '''Vocal Strain''': Caused by excessive yelling, prolonged talking, singing loudly, or speaking in an unnatural pitch.
* '''Environmental Factors''': Exposure to irritants like smoke or dust.
* '''Environmental Factors''': Exposure to irritants like smoke or dust.
 
[[File:Depiction of a person suffering from Dysphonia (Hoarseness).png|thumb|left|Close-up of vocal folds, integral to voice production.]]
[[File:Depiction of a person suffering from Dysphonia (Hoarseness).png|thumb|right|Close-up of vocal folds, integral to voice production.]]
 
== Symptoms and Associated Conditions ==
== Symptoms and Associated Conditions ==
* '''Changes in Voice''': The voice may sound breathy, raspy, weaker in volume, or different in pitch.
* '''Changes in Voice''': The voice may sound breathy, raspy, weaker in volume, or different in pitch.
* '''Throat Discomfort''': A feeling of scratchiness or unease in the throat.
* '''Throat Discomfort''': A feeling of scratchiness or unease in the throat.
* '''Persistent Cough''': Sometimes accompanying the hoarseness.
* '''Persistent Cough''': Sometimes accompanying the hoarseness.
=== Related Conditions ===
=== Related Conditions ===
* [[Laryngitis]]
* [[Laryngitis]]
* [[Vocal Fold Nodules and Polyps]]
* [[Vocal Fold Nodules and Polyps]]
* [[Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)]]
* [[Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)]]
== Diagnosis and Evaluation ==
== Diagnosis and Evaluation ==
Diagnosis often involves a physical examination of the throat, voice analysis, and sometimes laryngoscopy to view the vocal cords.
Diagnosis often involves a physical examination of the throat, voice analysis, and sometimes laryngoscopy to view the vocal cords.
== Treatment and Management ==
== Treatment and Management ==
The primary treatment for hoarseness is resting the voice. Other treatments depend on the underlying cause and may include:
The primary treatment for hoarseness is resting the voice. Other treatments depend on the underlying cause and may include:
* '''Voice Therapy''': Especially if caused by vocal strain.
* '''Voice Therapy''': Especially if caused by vocal strain.
* '''Medication''': For infections or allergies.
* '''Medication''': For infections or allergies.
* '''Lifestyle Changes''': Avoiding irritants, smoking cessation, and managing GERD.
* '''Lifestyle Changes''': Avoiding irritants, smoking cessation, and managing GERD.
== Prevention ==
== Prevention ==
Preventive measures include proper voice technique, avoiding vocal strain, staying hydrated, and avoiding irritants.
Preventive measures include proper voice technique, avoiding vocal strain, staying hydrated, and avoiding irritants.
== When to Seek Medical Attention ==
== When to Seek Medical Attention ==
Persistent hoarseness lasting more than two weeks should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out more serious conditions.
Persistent hoarseness lasting more than two weeks should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out more serious conditions.
== Global Prevalence and Impact ==
== Global Prevalence and Impact ==
Hoarseness is a common condition worldwide, affecting people of all ages. It can significantly impact quality of life, particularly for those who use their voice professionally.
Hoarseness is a common condition worldwide, affecting people of all ages. It can significantly impact quality of life, particularly for those who use their voice professionally.
== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[Vocal Health]]
* [[Vocal Health]]
* [[Respiratory System]]
* [[Respiratory System]]
* [[Speech-Language Pathology]]
* [[Speech-Language Pathology]]
== References ==
== References ==
* [https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/hoarseness/ ENT Health - Hoarseness]
* [https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/hoarseness/ ENT Health - Hoarseness]
* [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/laryngitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20374250 Mayo Clinic - Laryngitis]
* [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/laryngitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20374250 Mayo Clinic - Laryngitis]
* [https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/hoarseness/ American Speech-Language-Hearing Association - Hoarseness]
* [https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/hoarseness/ American Speech-Language-Hearing Association - Hoarseness]
[[Category:Voice Disorders]]
[[Category:Voice Disorders]]
[[Category:Respiratory System]]
[[Category:Respiratory System]]
[[Category:Symptoms and Signs in Healthcare]]
[[Category:Symptoms and Signs in Healthcare]]
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Latest revision as of 03:43, 6 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Hoarse voice
Larynx model
Synonyms Dysphonia
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Hoarseness, raspy voice, strained voice
Complications Vocal cord nodules, laryngitis
Onset Sudden or gradual
Duration Varies, depending on cause
Types N/A
Causes Viral infection, vocal strain, allergies, smoking, gastroesophageal reflux disease
Risks Smoking, excessive voice use, allergies
Diagnosis Laryngoscopy, voice assessment
Differential diagnosis Laryngitis, vocal cord paralysis, thyroid disease
Prevention Avoiding smoking, hydration, voice rest
Treatment Voice therapy, medication, surgery
Medication N/A
Prognosis Generally good with treatment
Frequency Common
Deaths N/A


Hoarseness, medically termed as dysphonia, is a common voice disorder where the voice sounds breathy, raspy, strained, or exhibits changes in volume or pitch. It can be accompanied by a scratchy feeling in the throat.

Causes[edit]

Hoarseness is primarily a symptom of issues affecting the vocal folds in the larynx (voice box).

Common Causes[edit]

  • Laryngitis: Often resulting from an upper respiratory infection, cold, or allergies.
  • Vocal Strain: Caused by excessive yelling, prolonged talking, singing loudly, or speaking in an unnatural pitch.
  • Environmental Factors: Exposure to irritants like smoke or dust.
Close-up of vocal folds, integral to voice production.

Symptoms and Associated Conditions[edit]

  • Changes in Voice: The voice may sound breathy, raspy, weaker in volume, or different in pitch.
  • Throat Discomfort: A feeling of scratchiness or unease in the throat.
  • Persistent Cough: Sometimes accompanying the hoarseness.

Related Conditions[edit]

Diagnosis and Evaluation[edit]

Diagnosis often involves a physical examination of the throat, voice analysis, and sometimes laryngoscopy to view the vocal cords.

Treatment and Management[edit]

The primary treatment for hoarseness is resting the voice. Other treatments depend on the underlying cause and may include:

  • Voice Therapy: Especially if caused by vocal strain.
  • Medication: For infections or allergies.
  • Lifestyle Changes: Avoiding irritants, smoking cessation, and managing GERD.

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures include proper voice technique, avoiding vocal strain, staying hydrated, and avoiding irritants.

When to Seek Medical Attention[edit]

Persistent hoarseness lasting more than two weeks should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out more serious conditions.

Global Prevalence and Impact[edit]

Hoarseness is a common condition worldwide, affecting people of all ages. It can significantly impact quality of life, particularly for those who use their voice professionally.

See Also[edit]

References[edit]

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