Dysphonia, or voice hoarseness, is a common phenomenon causing a voice change. You may have experienced dysphonia following a night out with friends, a concert at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheater or even as a result of dry air in your home.
While dysphonia is not always a cause for concern, it can be a symptom of an underlying condition. Let’s take a look at a few different symptoms and causes of dysphonia and what you can do to treat it.
Common Symptoms of Dysphonia
Common symptoms of dysphonia may include:
- Raspy or breathy voice
- Speaking more quietly than usual
- Your voice is pitched higher or lower than usual
- Difficulty talking or making sounds with your voice
- Shaky voice
Common Causes of Dysphonia
When you speak, air from your lungs moves through the voice box (larynx), vibrates your vocal cords and creates sound waves. Anything that affects your vocal cords or voice box can result in hoarseness. Common causes that can affect the vocal cords or voice box include:
- Excess or unusual voice use. Many people experience hoarseness following a concert, party or event where they talk or yell more than usual. Excess or extreme vocal cord vibration from overuse can cause hoarseness, similar to how your muscles may feel sore following overuse at the gym.
- Laryngitis. Laryngitis occurs when allergies, sinus infections or upper respiratory infections cause your vocal cords to swell.
- Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR). LPR is a form of acid reflux wherein stomach acid rises into the throat, causing symptoms including throat clearing, chronic cough, hoarseness and more.
Additional causes of hoarseness may include chronic cough, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, spasmodic dysphonia, muscle tension dysphonia, neurological diseases and disorders, vocal cord hemorrhage, aging and vocal cord nodules, cysts and polyps.
Dysphonia Treatment Options
Dysphonia treatment options will vary based on the cause. A few common treatment options include:
- Resting your voice when hoarseness is due to overuse
- Over-the-counter medications, corticosteroids or antibiotics for colds or infections
- Antacids or lifestyle modifications for acid reflux
- Surgery or voice therapy for growths on the vocal cords
If your provider diagnoses you with spasmodic dysphonia, muscle tension dysphonia or neurological diseases and disorders, they will likely create a plan to treat or manage the underlying condition.
Contact Midwest ENT Centre today to make an appointment with one of our specialists for a diagnosis and treatment plan.