Hoarse
Hoarse
Hoarse (/hɔːrs/), from the Old English hās, meaning rough or harsh, is a term used in medicine to describe an abnormal change in the voice. This change in voice quality can be characterized by a raspy, breathy, strained, or lower pitch voice.
Causes
Hoarseness is typically caused by a problem in the vocal cords, which are part of the larynx in the throat. Common causes include:
- Laryngitis: This is the most common cause of hoarseness and is often due to an infection or overuse of the voice.
- Vocal cord nodules: These are noncancerous growths on the vocal cords caused by vocal abuse.
- Vocal cord polyps: These are soft, swollen, blister-like lesions on the vocal cords.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This condition can cause hoarseness when stomach acid rises up to the throat and irritates the vocal cords.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hoarseness include:
- A raspy or breathy voice
- Strained or lower pitch voice
- Difficulty speaking or projecting the voice
- Voice fatigue
Treatment
Treatment for hoarseness depends on the underlying cause. It may include:
- Resting the voice
- Hydrating the body
- Avoiding smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke
- Medications or surgery (in some cases)
See also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hoarse
- Wikipedia's article - Hoarse
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski