Hoarseness of voice
A sore throat and feeling that you’re losing your voice (laryngitis) are symptoms of many common problems, including acid reflux, allergies, tonsillitis, and upper respiratory infections. Various other conditions can also affect your voice box (larynx).
Seek medical advice from one of our specialists if symptoms persist, especially when accompanied by difficulty swallowing or breathing.
Hoarseness of voice symptoms
The occasional hoarse voice and sore throat are usually quite normal. Though, if you are experiencing these symptoms for more than three weeks, you should speak with one of our specialists. You may hear your problem referred to as dysphonia.
Symptoms of a hoarse voice can include:
- Raspy, croaky or strained voice
- Softer volume or complete loss of voice
- Lower pitched voice
- Dry, sore throat
- Persistent cough
- Frequent need to clear your throat
- Mucus in the throat
These symptoms can indicate both minor and more serious problems. Keep reading to discover the common causes of hoarseness of voice.
What causes hoarseness of voice?
A hoarse voice can be caused by simple factors, such as:
- Overuse or misuse e.g. shouting, prolonged singing or speaking
- Smoking, alcohol or caffeine
- Exposure to chemicals or dust
- Excessive coughing
- Cold or sinus infection
- Allergies
However, sometimes a hoarse voice is caused by a condition or disease, such as:
- Laryngitis
- Acid reflux
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR)
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GORD)
- Growths on the vocal cords, such as a nodule, polyp, or cyst
- Nerve or muscle condition
- Respiratory infection
- Laryngeal cancer
- Oesophageal cancer
Some of these are more common than others, so it’s important to speak with a specialist to get a thorough examination and diagnosis.
Diagnosis
The way we diagnose hoarseness of voice depends on the other symptoms you present with.
During your consultation, we will examine your throat, internally and externally, and feel for any abnormalities. We’ll ask how long you’ve had your symptoms and whether you have any other symptoms.
It can be useful to keep a symptom tracker if your symptoms occur over an extended period.
We may use a blood test to check your general health and look for signs of an infection.
If we believe acid reflux is causing your hoarse voice, we may perform an endoscopy with wireless 96-hour pH capsule . This will allow us to rule out or diagnose a reflux condition, such as LPR or GORD. We can also take a biopsy (small tissue sample) to look for abnormal cells.
We may also perform scans, such as a CT scan or MRI, but this will depend on the severity of your symptoms and what we find in our initial consultation.
Finally, we will have you see an ENT specialist which does a more thorough examination of the throat and voice box (larynx)
Treatment
Once we have identified the cause of your symptoms, we can plan your treatment.
We recommend trying at-home remedies if you believe your symptoms are due to overuse, misuse or similar.
At-home remedies include:
- Resting your voice for a few days – no or minimal speaking
- Painkillers or lozenges, if you have a sore, painful throat
- Drinking plenty of water and other soothing fluids
- Avoid fizzy drinks, caffeine and alcohol
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding spicy, fatty foods
- Take a hot shower – the steam can provide much-needed moisture
- Take an antacid if you know you are prone to acid reflux
Book a consultation with one of our specialists if these remedies aren’t working.
If you experience acid reflux regularly, we recommend speaking to one of our specialists to find the cause of your problems. We can then find a better solution than your current treatment method.
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Book an appointment
Contact us today if you are experiencing a hoarse voice.
Our expert team of highly specialised gastroenterologists will diagnose and treat any digestive issues causing your sore throat.
We also provide a second opinion service if you think your condition or symptoms have been poorly diagnosed previously.