Causes And Treatments For Hoarseness

If the hoarseness is due to minor causes such as a cold or irritation, it usually doesn’t last more than a week.

The hoarseness (or aphonia) describes the loss of the voice and can occur in whole or in part. In some cases it is also expressed as a change in voice, usually ending in one of the two preceding types. The hoarseness can be immediate or progressive, depending on the cause. 

If the hoarseness occurs due to minor causes such as a cold or irritation, it usually doesn’t last more than a week. However, if the cause is due to an injury to the vocal cord, the hoarseness can become chronic.

However, hoarseness can also be caused by other causes, such as excessive use of the voice, yelling, allergies, or gastrointestinal reflux.

In addition , this loss of voice can also be due to tobacco and alcohol use, the growth of a virus, and other diseases that paralyze the vocal cords. Exposure to certain environments, such as air conditioning, is another of the most common causes of hoarseness.

How do you treat hoarseness?

To restore the voice, it is necessary to reduce the irritation and inflammation of the vocal cords. To do this, you can try the following recommendations:

Give the voice a break

It is recommended not to speak for a few days. You should also avoid coughing, breathing, and clearing your throat through your mouth.

Adequate hydration

It is important to keep your vocal cords hydrated and to drink at least 2 liters of water a day. This way, you can reduce the feeling of a dry throat. In winter, the vocal cords are also stimulated with the heating air. For this reason, it is advisable to keep the humidity between 40 and 60%.

Natural remedies

The hoarseness doesn’t hurt, but it can be very bothersome. Some of the natural remedies that you can use for treatment are as follows:

1. Water with lemon

Gargling hot water with lemon juice is a very good remedy for treating hoarseness. This is due to the antiseptic properties of vitamin C found in lemon.

2. Milk with honey

Drinking a glass of milk with two tablespoons of honey at the beginning of the day and before bed will help relieve your throat and regain your voice.

3. Ginger with lemon or honey

The ginger root has beneficial properties for the voice and it helps clear mucus. Combining the properties of ginger with lemon or honey is a very effective way to regain voice.

4. Propolis

Propolis is a perfect natural antibiotic to relieve sore throats. It has an antimicrobial effect against some of the bacteria and viruses that are responsible for this condition.

In combination with its anti-inflammatory, healing and immune-stimulating properties, propolis is excellent for preventing throat and respiratory problems that can lead to hoarseness.

5. Sage tea

Sage is a plant that contains a lot of phlegm. This is a soluble fiber that makes the throat softer. In addition, it acts as a powerful factor in repairing the mucous membranes and in this way relieves discomfort and irritation. 

6. Licorice

This is one of the best natural hoarseness remedies. Licorice is a plant that has anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties. This will open the airways and the hoarseness will begin to heal. It is recommended to take a tea made from this plant several times a day.

Medication

An anti-inflammatory agent such as ibuprofen 400 mg can be used for hoarseness and discomfort in the throat . You can also use lozenges with antiseptic and, if necessary, anesthetic properties.

In addition, these products stimulate the production of saliva and soothe irritation. Antibiotics should never be used to treat hoarseness unless prescribed by a doctor because there is a bacterial infection in the throat.

How can you avoid hoarseness?

It is true that all circumstances cannot always be controlled, but here are some recommendations that you can follow to prevent hoarseness. For example:

• Avoid shouting regularly, control the volume of your voice, and avoid long conversations in noisy environments.
• Avoid spicy food and alcohol consumption.
• Treat allergies, colds, and digestive problems as they arise.
• Do not smoke.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Warm up the voice and do relaxation exercises.
• Exercise regularly: Exercise increases muscle tone. This will help maintain good posture and breathing. These are exactly what you need to speak properly.

As we said earlier, hoarseness usually doesn’t last more than a week. However, if symptoms persist for longer , it is advisable to consult a specialist to avoid chronic illness.