PHILIPPA’S TOP TIPS TO HELP VOICE HOARSENESS

One symptom, so many dif ferent possible causes and treatments

Voice hoarseness is extremely common and generally short lived.

The term voice hoarseness can refer to being unable to do more than whisper, if your voice is weaker than usual, more breathy than usual, sounds different, or fatigues very easily – it starts off as normal but quickly deteriorates to a whisper.

People who smoke are at greater risk of voice problems, as are people who use their voice professionally, for example teachers or singers.

A common cause is over-use of the voice, but other causes need to be ruled out.

It can be due to infection, laryngitis which is often associated with an upper respiratory tract infection – a cold!

Other causes include gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, where there is reflux of stomach acid up into the throat affecting the lar ynx.

Benign lesions of the vocal cords such as polyps or nodules can also cause hoarseness.

More seriously, lar yngeal cancer, other neck cancers such as thyroid cancer, or chest cancers such as lung cancer can be causes.

Hoarseness can be caused by neurological conditions, where the nerves supplying the larynx, which produces sound, or the brain are affected – eg nerve palsy, stroke or Parkinson’s.

Other conditions such as hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone) could also be a cause.

If you have had voice hoarseness for more than three weeks please see your GP who will do a two-week urgent referral to a specialist to exclude a cancer affecting the larynx. Remember there are many other causes.

Once cancer is excluded treatment will depend on the cause. Reflux may be treated with medication, or polyps may need surger y.

Voice over-use is treated by stopping smoking and alcohol, avoiding straining your voice eg clearing your throat or shouting, and drinking plenty of water. A speech therapist may help by teaching you how to use your larynx to maximise your voice.