Hoarseness or loss of voice occurs when your vocal cords become swollen or inflamed, and no longer vibrate normally. The condition is called laryngitis. In this situation, the vocal cords may produce an unnatural sound, or no sound at all.
The normal speaking voice is formed when the diaphragm, the muscle above the stomach, pushes air from the lungs through the vocal cords. Air pressure forces the vocal cords to open and close, and the controlled escape of air vibrates the vocal cords, producing the sound that is your voice.
Common causes:
Many conditions can produce hoarseness or loss of voice. The most common causes are viral and bacterial infections which bring cold or flu, allergies, vocal strain (talking too loudly for too long or yelling), smoking and chronic oesophageal reflux. Reflux, the backwash of acidic stomach contents into the food pipe, can also sometimes spill over into the voice box, and produce laryngitis.
What you can do:
Drink plenty of fluids. Drink lots of warm, non-caffeinated fluids to keep your throat moist. Don’t strain your throat. Avoid clearing your throat. Do not smoke. Give alcohol a pass. Stop drinking alcohol. It also dries your throat and irritates your vocal cords.
When to consult a doctor:
If hoarseness lasts for more than two weeks, seek medical help. You may consider going to your family physician or an ENT specialist.
The writer is Senior Specialist, Safdarjung Hospital and Professor, VM Medical College and a well-known columnist