Hoarseness Symptoms
Symptom Checker: Symptoms & Signs Index
Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Hoarseness is a harsh, rough quality to the voice.
Hoarseness is generally caused by irritation of, or injury to, the vocal cords.
The voice box, or larynx, is the portion of the respiratory (breathing) tract
containing the vocal cords which produce sound. It is located between the
pharynx and the trachea. The larynx, also called the voice box, is a
2-inch-long, tube-shaped organ in the neck.
We use the larynx when we breathe, talk, or swallow. Its
outer wall of cartilage forms the area of the front of the neck referred to as
the "Adams apple." The vocal cords are two bands of muscle that form a "V" inside the larynx.
Hoarseness can be caused by a number of conditions. The
most common cause of hoarseness is inflammation of the vocal cords from virus
infection. Hoarseness can also be caused by bacterial infection, overuse of the
voice (such as from yelling or singing), inhalation of irritants (smoking,
etc.), chronic sinusitis, reflux of acid from the stomach (GERD), tuberculosis,
syphilis, and cancer of
(or that has spread to) the larynx.
Cough suppressants are sometimes used to prevent
recurrent irritation of the vocal cords from
coughing. Hoarseness that persists
for longer than two weeks should be evaluated by doctor.
REFERENCE:
Fauci, Anthony S., et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2008.
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