Hoarseness is a condition where a person tries to speak and has difficulty producing sound. There is also a change in the quality or pitch of the voice. The person's voice sounds very breathy, husky, weak, or scratchy. There are many causes of hoarseness of the voice and of the throat. These include problems such as acid reflux, cancer of the larynx or throat, heavy smoking or drinking, chronic coughing, overuse of the voice, and breathing in substances that are irritating. Many people complain of symptoms such as coughing, loss of voice, and sore throat after they get a cold. Some other causes of hoarseness and loss of voice causes could be vocal cord nodules, underactive thyroid gland, breathing tube orbronchoscopy, damaged nerves (those attached to your voice box) and the presence of a foreign object in the trachea or esophagus. Hoarseness could be a long-term (chronic) or a short-term (acute) problem. Treatment for loss of voice depends on the cause. There are a number of remedies for loss of voice and sore-throat which you can try at home.
- Add some drops of eucalyptus oil to hot water and inhale the vapors for ten minutes or so. You could also add some black pepper powder and some sugar to a glass of warm milk and drink it twice a day. For those who suffer from throat tickles, sucking a whole clove provides relief.
- Take one teaspoon of honey and half a teaspoon of juice of basil leaves. Drink this mixture two to three times daily.
- An effective treatment for loss of voice is keeping your throat moist. This can be done by chewing gum or sucking on lozenges. Opt for fruit flavored or honey selections of cough drops instead of menthol or minty brands that might dry out your throat.
- Sore throat and loss of voice can be caused due to dehydration. The caffeine in cola drinks and coffee causes dehydration, and it is best you restrict your intake of these products. Alcohol also has a dehydrating effect on your throat and can in the long-term cause a problem to your vocal cords.
- There are many cures for loss of voice, but one of the most effective is to rest your voice. Whispering or talking causes additional stress. It is therefore important that you rest your mind and body as well as your voice. This will help boost your immune system and your body will be able to fight off any infection.
- Drinking ten to twelve glasses of water daily ensures that your larynx is moist. Make sure that the water you drink is at room temperature or slightly warm, not overly cold or hot.
- Avoid smokers and quit smoking. Your throat will take very long to heal if you smoke. Secondhand smoke can also inhibit the healing process so make sure you stay away from smokers and give your larynx some time to heal.
- Drinking tea helps soothe throat irritation. Some effective choices you have are ginger, lemon, and chamomile teas. Also make sure you sweeten your tea with honey that has an antibacterial effect.
- Dietary and nutrition supplements are also effective for those suffering from sore throat and loss of voice. However, supplements may interact with medications or cause some side effects, so it is best you check with your health care provider before taking any. Zinc and vitamin C are believed to be good for a sore throat.
- For those suffering from voice loss and hoarseness due to acid reflux, treatment involves making important lifestyle changes. You may have to avoid eating anything just before going to bed and also take some prescription antacid medications.
- One effective treatment for loss of voice and hoarseness is a gargle made using onion syrup, lemon, and honey. To prepare the syrup, you need to take three large onions, slice them, and then simmer them in about 5 to 6 cups of water till syrupy. Next strain this mixture and put 5 tablespoons of the syrup into warm water (1 glass). To this add a few drops of lemon and one tablespoon of honey. Sip slowly.
Treatment of hoarseness of voice and coughing in children depends on the cause. Hoarseness in children is commonly caused due to the flu or colds, and the hoarseness resolves once the symptoms of cold are gone. You can also go in for some home remedies depending on the age of your child. If your child experiences difficulty breathing or sudden hoarseness due to some trauma to the neck region, make sure your health care provider evaluates it immediately. Call your doctor if the hoarseness and sore throat lasts for more than a week or keeps recurring. You also need to contact your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing as this could indicate a more serious underlying problem.
answered by A S