Despite being vital for functions of multiple systems in your body, the throat is a part of the body we don’t think about unless something’s wrong. Consisting of three main parts: the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx, collectively responsible for speech production, the complex process of swallowing, and the perceptions of different tastes as we eat.
There are minor common issues we always deal with in our throats, such as soreness, dryness, congestion, and other things that go away after a short period. However, if you’re dealing with a sore throat, hoarseness (dysphonia), or some form of laryngitis that isn’t improving, it may be time to get medical help. To find out if your problems need professional care, let’s look at the reasons you’re experiencing these problems and what options for treatment are available.
If you live in the Lake Oswego, Oregon, area and you’re struggling with hoarseness or other throat issues that aren’t getting better, the team of specialists at Lake Grove ENT can help you get better.
Dysphonia, the medical term for hoarseness, describes the difficulty of using your voice, resulting in a husky, scratchy, breathy, or weak sound when attempting to speak. These are the result of problems with the vocal cords (larynx) and come in different forms:
This can happen for many reasons, such as allergic reactions, acid reflux, chronic coughing, upper respiratory infections, breathing in irritants, heavy smoking, throat cancer, injury, underactive thyroid gland, and tasks that require overuse, like singing or shouting.
With mild symptoms, you may be able to manage hoarseness with home care, like drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, using a humidifier, resting your voice (no screaming or singing), and if you smoke, stop. However, if the problem persists for longer than three weeks or comes with other signs like hurting when you swallow, coughing up blood, a lump in your neck, or losing your voice completely, get medical help as soon as possible.
Taking care of your hoarseness will depend on the cause. Infections require medications (over-the-counter or prescription) and rest. Laryngitis can be treated with corticosteroids or antibiotics. Cysts, polyps, or nodules can be managed with voice therapy and surgery. Problems with the vocal folds or muscle tension hoarseness can be treated with voice therapy, a speech-language pathologist, or resting your voice.
It’s important to protect your throat and your voice, so if you’re coping with hoarseness or other throat issues, make an appointment with the team at Lake Grove ENT today to get the help you need.
