Think of them as a germ filtration system. Your tonsils are visible, located at the back of your throat on either side, and they are responsible for producing antibodies to help fight those pesky nose and throat infections from spreading to the neck or even into the bloodstream. This is often the same result you get when you have a cold or allergies, but it could also be a case of enlarged tonsils and adenoids that are preventing clear speaking from occurring.

You voice changes because you have just blocked an important part of what your body uses for verbal communication – the nasal passageway. Acute laryngitis.Are you familiar with what your tonsils and adenoids do? Plug your nose and try to have it not affect the quality or clarity of your speech. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. avoiding spicy, greasy, or acidic foodsĭoctors may also suggest antacids to treat the symptoms of GERD.GERD is treatable with lifestyle changes, including: Doctors sometimes use antiviral medications to help with symptoms and shorten the recovery time by 1–2 days. If a viral infection is responsible for a hoarse voice, the symptoms may go away on their own. Not consuming excessive alcohol may also help. If a hoarse voice is due to smoking or exposure to chemicals that irritate the larynx, a doctor will recommend avoiding these triggers. This approach can help people avoid using the voice in a way that irritates the vocal cords, which may prevent further irritation. Health experts note that a person may benefit from a speech and language therapist. However, more persistent causes may require medical treatment. In some cases, resting the voice and drinking plenty of water will help the larynx recover. Treatments for a hoarse voice depend on the cause. Treatments include dietary changes and medications. People with LPR may feel as if they have to clear their throat constantly. If a person has GERD, they may notice a hoarse voice that is worse in the morning. Healthcare professionals refer to this as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). In some people, it can damage the larynx. Some neurological conditions can affect the parts of the brain that control the throat and larynx muscles.Īcid reflux occurs when stomach acid rises and irritates the throat. Treatments involve voice therapy, and in some cases, surgery. tumors in the base of the skull, neck, and chest.Vocal cord paralysis occurs when one or both vocal folds fail to open or close properly. If this occurs, a person should rest their voice immediately and contact a doctor. They may experience a hoarse voice quickly, which can affect their singing voice. Vocal fold hemorrhageĪ vocal fold hemorrhage occurs when a blood vessel on the surface of a person’s vocal fold ruptures. Treatments usually involve rest, surgery, or voice therapy. Vocal polyps typically occur on one side of the vocal fold.A vocal cyst is a hard growth of tissue that occurs inside the vocal cord.This can result in too much pressure or friction. Vocal nodules, or singer’s nodes, grow in pairs on the opposite sides of a person’s vocal cords.Vocal nodules, cysts, and polyps are benign growths that can appear along the vocal folds. exposure to chemicals or dust that irritate the larynx.Possible causes of chronic laryngitis include: Healthcare professionals define laryngitis as chronic if it persists beyond 3 weeks. speaking in a voice that is too low or too high.It can also occur due to overusing the voice, for example: Acute laryngitis is usually due to an infection of the upper respiratory tract, such as the flu. Laryngitis is one of the most common causes of a hoarse voice, and the condition can be acute or chronic. There can be several causes of a hoarse voice, including the below.

Toddler raspy voice