Hoarseness Center - Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor Doctors for HoarsenessType of Physician: Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor What is a Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor? A certification by the Board of Otolaryngology; practitioners provide comprehensive medical and surgical care of patients with diseases and disorders that affect the ears, the respiratory and upper alimentary systems (nose, mouth and throat) and related structures. Specialty: Ear, Nose & Throat (Otolaryngology) Common Name: Ear, Nose, Throat Doctor Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor Doctors in Santa Monica * Southern California Head & Neck Medical Group  Southern California Head & Neck Medical Group  Southern California Head & Neck Medical Group  Sheldon Klausner MD  Southern California Head & Neck Medical Group  F Monte Purcelli MD  Southern California Head & Neck Medical Group  Mary Lee Amerian MD  Pacific Specialists  Pacific Specialists  Pacific Specialists  Pacific Specialists  Abraham Tzadik MD  UCLA Head & Neck Surgery  UCLA Head & Neck Surgery  UCLA Head & Neck Surgery  Otosurgical Medical Group  Otosurgical Medical Group  Otosurgical Medical Group  Premiere Plastic Surgery  Otosurgical Medical Group  Otosurgical Medical Group  Paul H Toffel MD  Otosurgical Medical Group  Culver City Surgical Center  Screenland Medical  Screenland Medical  Screenland Medical  Spalding Dr Cosmetic Surgery & Dermatology  Steven Burres MD  Raphael Nach MD  Steven E Davis MD  Kantor Sugerman & Nasseri MDs  Stephen Pincus MD  J Randolph Schnitman MD  Lawrence Stein MD  Kantor Sugerman & Nasseri MDs  Harvey Paley MD  Alvin Reiter MD  Andrew G Berman MD  Premiere Plastic Surgery  Head & Neck Services  Drs Alessi Larian Azizzadeh & Hsu  Julie A Edween DO  Drs Alessi Larian Azizzadeh & Hsu  Geoffrey R Keyes MD  Drs Alessi Larian Azizzadeh & Hsu  Kenneth Leeds MD  Gary Takowsky MD  Gary S Bellack MD  Flaum & Liu MD's  Tower Center for Ear Nose & Throat  Osborne Head and Neck Institute  Tower Center for Ear Nose & Throat  Tower Center for Ear Nose & Throat  Flaum & Liu MD's  Tower Center for Ear Nose & Throat  Osborne Head and Neck Institute  Tower Center for Ear Nose & Throat  Hans von Leden MD  James Montagano MD  Konstantin C Salkinder MD  David White MD  Dishell & Yi MDs  Michael Reder MD  Dishell & Yi MDs  Aesthetic Facial Surgery & Sinus Care Center  John J Rehm MD  Vera D Cecilio MD  Ali R Namazie MD  Madison Richardson MD  Jeffrey Birns MD  Barry Feinberg MD  Stephen Cooper MD  John M Roesler MD  Michael D Landman MD  John M Roesler MD  Lawrence Pleet MD  Tarzana Multi Specialty Medical Center  Entertainment Industry Physicians  Simon K Simonian MD  Andrew K Choi MD  Comprehensive Community Health Centers  Steven K Lee MD  Northridge Facial Plastic Surgery  Northridge Facial Plastic Surgery  Southbay Otolaryngology Head & Neck  Raffi Mesrobian MD  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Torrance Specialty  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Torrance Specialty  HealthCare Partners Medical Group Torrance Specialty  Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles Otolaryngology  Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles Otolaryngology  Leslie Luk MD  Aroesty & Line MDs  Brett A Levine MD  David C Owen MD  Maher Sesi MD  Srinivas Yanamadala MD  House Ear Clinic Santa Monica, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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HoarsenessWhat is hoarseness?Hoarseness is an abnormal deep, harsh voice caused by a variety of conditions.
What causes hoarseness?Hoarseness is generally caused by irritation of, or injury to, the vocal cords. The larynx (also referred to as the voice box), is the portion of the respiratory (breathing) tract containing the vocal cords. The cartilaginous outer wall of the larynx is commonly referred to as the "Adams apple." The vocal cords are two bands of muscle that form a "V" inside the larynx. When we sing or speak, the vocal cords vibrate and produce sound.
Hoarseness can be caused by a number of conditions. The most common cause of hoarseness is acute laryngitis (inflammation of the vocal cords) caused by an upper respiratory tract infection (usually viral), and less commonly from overuse or misuse of the voice (such as from yelling or singing). Other causes of hoarseness include:
What are the signs and symptoms of hoarseness?Hoarseness typically gives the voice a raspy and harsh quality, though it may also cause a change in the pitch or volume of the voice. The rapidity of onset and any associated symptoms will depend on the underlying cause leading to hoarseness. How are the causes of hoarseness diagnosed?A health care practitioner will ask the patient questions about their hoarseness and any other associated symptoms. A physical exam will focus on the head and neck. Often times, a diagnosis can ... Recommended Reading Related to HoarsenessWhy does reflux laryngitis occur?Reflux is caused by weakness in the muscle at the junction of the esophagus with the stomach. Normally, this muscular valve, or sphincter, functions to keep food and stomach acid from moving upward from the stomach to the esophagus and larynx. This valve opens to allow food into the stomach and closes to keep the stomach's contents from coming back up. The backward movement of stomach contents (gastric contents) up into the esophagus is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux. Additionally, any increase in abdominal pressure (such as obesity), which can push acid back from the stomach up the esophagus, or a patient with a hiatal hernia, will have an increased risk for reflux. When it causes symptoms, it is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (or GERD). When the acid backs up into the voice box (larynx), the condition is referred to as reflux laryngitis. Stomach acid can cause irritati... Other Related Hoarseness ArticlesEmergency Contact for Santa Monica
Nearby Santa Monica Hospitals *Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center Saint John's Health Center Marina Del Rey Hospital Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center UCLA Neuropsychiatric Hospital Brotman Medical Center Kindred Hospital Los Angeles Kaiser Permanente West Los Angeles Medical Center Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Miracle Mile Medical Center Olympia Medical Center Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center Centinela Campus VA Greater Los Angeles HealthCare System Encino Hospital Medical Center Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center Hawthorne Campus Los Angeles Metropolitan Medical Center Sherman Oaks Hospital Hollywood Community Hospital Tarzana Regional Medical Center Hollywood Community Hospital of Van Nuys Shriners Hospitals for Children Los Angeles Orthopaedic Medical Center Temple Community Hospital Valley Presbyterian Hospital Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center Childrens Hospital Los Angeles St Vincent Medical Center California Hospital Medical Center Motion Picture & Television Hospital Good Samaritan Hospital Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Vista Hospital of South Bay Memorial Hospital of Gardena Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance Gateways Hospital & Mental Health Center Barlow Respiratory Hospital Mission Community Hospital Northridge Hospital Medical Center Kaiser Mental Health Center Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center Pacific Alliance Medical Center Community Hospital of Huntington Park West Hills Hospital & Medical Center Glendale Memorial Hospital & Health Center Martin Luther King Jr MAC Service Center White Memorial Medical Center Promise Hospital of East Los Angeles Torrance Memorial Medical Center Del Amo Hospital LAC + USC Medical Center LAC + USC Medical Center Women's & Children's Hospital Pacifica Hospital of the Valley USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center LAC Harbor UCLA Medical Center USC University Hospital St Francis Medical Center Los Angeles Community Hospital East Los Angeles Doctors Hospital Glendale Adventist Medical Center Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Kaiser Permanente South Bay Medical Center Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center Monterey Park Hospital Alhambra Hospital Medical Center Verdugo Hills Hospital Promise Hospital of East Los Angeles Suburban Medical Center Campus Huntington Hospital Downey Regional Medical Center Garfield Medical Center Olive View UCLA Medical Center Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center Pacific Hospital of Long Beach Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Hoarseness by Our Doctors
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a condition in which the acidified liquid contents of the stomach backs up into the esophagus. The symptoms of uncomplicated GERD are heartburn, regurgitation, and nausea. Effective treatment is available for most patients with GERD.
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Larynx Cancer
- Symptoms of cancer of the larynx, the organ at the front of the neck, include hoarseness, a lump in the neck, sore throat, cough, problems breathing, bad breath, earache, and weight loss. Treatment for larynx cancer depends on the stage (the extent) of the disease. Radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy are all forms of treatment for laryngeal cancer.
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Parkinson's Disease
- Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive neurologic disease characterized by a fixed inexpressive face, a tremor at rest, slowing of voluntary movements, a gait with short accelerating steps, peculiar posture and muscle weakness, caused by degeneration of an area of the brain called the basal ganglia, and by low production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Most patients are over 50, but at least 10 percent are under 40.
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Reflux Laryngitis
- Acid backing up into the larynx (voice box), it causes reflux laryngitis. Irritation of the lining of the esophagus, larynx, and throat can lead to esophagitis, sinusitis, strictures, hoarseness, throat clearing, swallowing problems, asthma, chronic cough, and more. Typical symptoms of reflux laryngitis include heartburn, hoarseness, or a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Reflux laryngitis can be treated with OTC medication, prescription medication, and lifestyle changes.
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Sjogren's Syndrome
- Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease involving the abnormal production of extra antibodies that attack the glands and connective tissue. Sjögren's syndrome with gland inflammation (resulting dry eyes and mouth, etc.) that is not associated with another connective tissue disease is referred to as primary Sjögren's syndrome. Sjögren's syndrome that is also associated with a connective tissue disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or scleroderma, is referred to as secondary Sjögren's syndrome. Though there is no cure for Sjögren's syndrome, the symptoms may be treated by using lubricating eye ointments, drinking plenty of water, humidifying the air, and using glycerin swabs. Medications are also available to treat dry eye and dry mouth.
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Stroke
- A stroke results from impaired oxygen delivery to brain cells via the bloodstream. A stroke is also referred to as a CVA, or cerebrovascular incident. Symptoms of stroke include: sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, sudden trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance, and/or sudden severe headache with no known cause. A TIA, or transient ischemic attack is a short-lived temporary impairment of the brain caused by loss of blood supply. Stroke is a medical emergency.
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Barrett's Esophagus
- Barrett's esophagus occurs as a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), primarily in white males. GERD refers to the reflux of acidic fluid from the stomach into the esophagus (the swallowing tube), and is classically associated with heartburn.
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Allergy
- An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
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Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
- Superior vena cava syndrome is compression of the superior vena cava vein located in the upper chest. Causes of superior vena cava include lung cancer, lymphoma, other cancers in the chest, blood clots in the superior vena cava, or infection. Symptoms of the syndrome include shortness of breath. Superior vena cava syndrome is diagnosed by ultrasound, chest x-ray, CT scan, and in some cases biopsy. Treatment depends upon the cause of the syndrome.
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Smoking (How to Quit Smoking)
- Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
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Allergy Treatment Begins At Home
- Avoiding allergy triggers at home is one of the best ways to prevent allergy symptoms. Controlling temperature, humidity, and ventilation are a few ways to allergy-proof the home. Cleaning, vacuuming, and using HEPA air filters also helps control allergies.
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Allergic Cascade
- The allergic cascade refers to allergic reactions that happen in the body in response to allergens. A variety of immune cells and chemical messengers participate in the allergic cascade. Symptoms of the allergic cascade range from mild swelling and itching to full-blown anaphylactic shock. Allergen avoidance and medications are used to prevent or treat allergies.
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Dry Mouth
- Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and non-prescription drugs. Symptoms of dry mouth include a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth, frequent thirst, sores in the mouth; sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth, cracked lips, a dry feeling in the throat, a b urning or tingling sensation in the mouth, and a dry, red, raw tongue.
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Head and Neck Cancer
- Head and neck cancer is cancer of the oral cavity, salivary glands, paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, or lymph nodes in the upper part of the neck. These cancers account for 3% to 5% of cancers in the U.S. Tobacco and alcohol use are important risk factors. Treatment may involve surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.
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Laryngitis
- Laryngitis is an inflammation of the voice box (vocal cords). The most common cause of acute laryngitis is infection, which inflames the vocal cords. Symptoms may vary from degree of laryngitis and age of the patient. Common symptoms include croup, hoarse cough, fever, cold, runny nose, dry cough, and loss of voice. Chronic laryngitis generally lasts more than three weeks. Causes other than infection include smoking, excess coughing, GERD, and more. Treatment depends on the cause of laryngitis.
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Upper Respiratory Tract Infection
- An upper respiratory infection is a contagious infection of the structures of the upper respiratory tract, which includes the sinuses, nasal passages, pharynx, and larynx. Common causes of an upper respiratory infection include bacteria and viruses such as rhinoviruses, group A streptococci, influenza, respiratory syncytial, whooping cough, diphtheria, and Epstein-Barre. Examples of symptoms of upper respiratory infection include sneezing, sore throat, cough, fever, and nasal congestion. Treatment of upper respiratory infection are generally with OTC medication and home remedies.
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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
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