Hoarseness, an abnormal change in your voice, can be the result of a disorder in the vocal cords (sound producing parts) of the larynx (voice box). Your voice may sound strained and raspy when you are hoarse. There may also be changes in pitch and volume of your voice.

Causes and Concerns

When you breathe, the vocal cords normally remain separated. By comparison, when you speak or sing, the cords come closer together. When air escapes from the lungs, the vocal cords vibrate and produce sounds. Lumps or swelling of the cords hampers these vibrations changing your voice’s volume, pitch and/or quality. Acute laryngitis is the most prevalent cause of hoarseness, resulting in swelling of the vocal cords from voice strain, common colds or upper respiratory tract infections. Other causes of hoarseness include:

Benign Vocal Cord Lesions: Hoarseness can result when overusing your voice or speaking too loudly for a prolonged period. These practices can result in the formation of polyps, cysts or nodules. The latter are characterized by callus-like vocal cord growths. Cysts and polyps can develop whether you misuse your voice or not.
Vocal Hemorrhage: If you suddenly lose your voice after yelling or some other strenuous use of your voice, you may have suffered a vocal cord hemorrhage. This happens when a blood vessel ruptures on the surface of the cords and soft tissues fill with blood. Considered a vocal emergency, total voice rest and examination by a throat specialist (otolaryngologist) is required.
Gastro-esophageal Reflux (GERD): Another cause of hoarseness is gastro-esophageal reflux. Stomach acids back up into the esophagus (swallowing tube) irritating the vocal cords. Other symptoms of GERD are regurgitation and/or heartburn. A patient’s voice will be worse in the morning then recover. They can have the feeling of a lump and/or mucus in the throat and a constant urge to clear it.
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux: When the reflux makes it into the back part of the throat, it is known as LPRD. The larynx, pharynx and lungs are very sensitive to stomach acids/digestive enzymes, so small amounts of reflux can cause more damage.
Smoking: Smoking also causes hoarseness. It is the main cause of cancer of the throat. Therefore, if smokers develop hoarseness, they should consult a throat specialist
Neurological Disorders: Hoarseness can develop in individuals who have neurological disorders like Parkinson’s, stroke or spasmodic dysphonia (a rare neurological disorder affecting only the voice and occasionally breathing). Paralyzed vocal cords could be the reason for a weak voice. If hoarseness lasts for longer than three months and other reasons disproven, you need to consider seeing a throat specialist.
More Causes: Larynx damage, allergies, and thyroid conditions all can lead to hoarseness. Dangerous conditions, including laryngeal cancer, can cause hoarseness. This is why it is very important to have prolonged hoarseness evaluated as soon as possible.

Symptoms and Signs

There are many other symptoms and signs that accompany hoarseness. Some of these are indicators of a serious underlying health problem. You should see a throat specialist if you have any of the following:

Hoarseness persisting for more than three weeks, especially if you are a smoker
No other symptoms of a cold/flu
Coughing up blood
Difficulty swallowing
A lump in your neck or throat
Changes in your voice which last for more than a few days
Pain when speaking and swallowing
Difficulty breathing along with your voice change(s)
A singer who cannot perform

Solutions and Options

To find a solution and offer you options, one of our throat specialists will take a complete history and do a physical examination. Afterwards, an evaluation of your voice is done. An examination of the vocal cords by laryngoscopy will likely be advised. This procedure should be performed immediately if your doctor is especially concerned that there is a serious underlying cause for your hoarseness.
Treatment for hoarseness is cause dependant. Generally, hoarseness can be addressed by simple voice rest or voice use modifications. The doctor may recommend that you use modification behaviors, or he could refer you to other specialists if necessary.

Summary

Regardless of the cause of your hoarseness, not smoking and staying away from secondhand smoke is always in your best interest. If you or someone you love has hoarseness or any of the symptoms associated with this condition, contact our office for an appointment. Our caring throat specialists can help you find a solution to your symptoms.
Additional Reading: http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/hoarseness.cfm