There are many illnesses that can lead to hoarseness, from a cold or flu to a sinus infection or acid reflux. When your illness comes to an end, symptoms such as fever or facial pain will likely go away as well. Unfortunately, hoarseness doesn’t always know when it’s time to leave.
Let’s look at why hoarseness might overstay its welcome and what you can do to get your voice back.
Why Does Hoarseness Stick Around?
When you speak, your vocal cords vibrate to produce sound. The way your voice sounds depends on the size and shape of your vocal cords. When a cold or flu causes frequent coughing, or acid reflux irritates the throat, your voice will turn raspy or breathy.
Because hoarseness arises from irritation or inflammation of the vocal cords, the symptom will remain until the cords return to normal. If your illness comes with long-term symptoms like a chronic cough or stomach acid that continues to irritate the throat, your hoarseness may not clear until you treat the underlying cause.
Tips To Reduce Vocal Cord Inflammation
Three home remedies to get your voice back to talking shape include:
- Rest your voice. Resting your voice is the most important step in healing your vocal cords. Avoid talking as much as possible, and if you need to speak, do so in your regular volume. Whispering or shouting can further damage your vocal cords.
- Drink warm tea with honey. Honey is antibacterial and helps your throat stay hydrated. Add a dash of Papa Joe’s Local Honey to a cup of warm herbal tea for tasty inflammation relief.
- Run a humidifier. Dry air can further irritate your vocal cords. Combat Colorado’s famous dry air by running a humidifier in your home.
In addition to home remedies, you should see an ENT specialist for long-lasting or recurring hoarseness. We’ll tailor our treatment recommendations to the underlying cause of your repeated hoarseness. For example, if you have chronic acid reflux, we may recommend lifestyle changes, over-the-counter medication, prescription medication or surgery.
Contact Alpine Ear Nose & Throat PC today to address your chronic or repeated hoarseness with one of our trusted experts.