When you have voice strain, it can be an unnerving experience. Voice strain can cause mild to severe signs and symptoms ranging from mild hoarseness to complete loss of voice. If you are suffering from voice strain, your ENT specialist can help.
What You Need To Know About Voice Strain
Voice strain can develop from a wide variety of causes, including:
- Smoking
- Upper respiratory infections
- Colds, bronchitis, or the flu
- Excessive coughing or wheezing
- Excessive singing, yelling, or screaming
- Acute or chronic inflammation of the larynx, known as laryngitis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease, known as GERD
Voice strain can also be a sign of a more serious medical condition, including:
- Lesions on your vocal cords
- Damage to your vocal cords
- Paralysis of your vocal cords
- Throat or laryngeal cancer
There are some important steps you can take to prevent voice strain. You should:
- Avoid smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
- Take precautions to avoid getting sick, including washing your hands and avoiding touching your face
- Get immunized against flu, respiratory viruses, COVID, and pneumonia
- Avoid whispering, yelling, or screaming because it can strain vocal cords
For mild, occasional voice strain, you can try a few simple home remedies, including:
- Keeping your throat hydrated by drinking beverages
- Using over-the-counter throat sprays and lozenges to soothe your throat
Remember to stay at home and rest if you are sick. If symptoms continue or worsen, you should visit your ENT specialist, who will thoroughly examine your throat and vocal cords using a laryngoscope. You may also need a throat culture to determine if underlying bacteria is causing your voice strain. Depending on the cause of your voice strain, your ENT specialist may recommend:
- Antibiotics, if an infection causes your voice strain
- Prescription-strength anti-inflammatories to reduce swelling in your larynx
- Endoscopic treatment to remove growths or screen for laryngeal abnormalities
Want To Know More About Voice Strain?
Talk with an expert to learn more about the prevention and treatment of voice strain. Call Your ENT specialist today.