Smokers who develop hoarseness should see an ENT specialist right away. Smoking can also cause permanent changes to your vocal cords that can lead to swelling, which lowers the pitch of your voice and can block the airway in severe cases. Smoking-Most importantly, smoking increases the risk of developing throat cancer. If the stomach acid travels up the esophagus and spills into the throat or voice box (called the pharynx/larynx), it is known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Classic heartburn and indigestion are symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), which is caused by acid. Reflux-Reflux is when acidic or non-acidic stomach contents move from the stomach up into your swallowing tube (the esophagus). This is a vocal emergency and should be treated with complete voice rest and examination by an ENT specialist. Vocal cord hemorrhage-You can lose your voice after yelling or other strenuous vocal activity if a blood vessel/blood blister breaks, filling the vocal cord with blood. A raspy voice that changes from day to day with decreased power is common. This is not due to talking too much or too little, it’s just a fact of life. Vocal cord atrophy-As we age, our vocal cords become thinner (decreased bulk) and floppy (decreased tone). A paralyzed vocal cord, usually after surgery, viral illness, or injury, may also cause a weak, breathy voice. A rare disorder called spasmodic dysphonia can also create hoarseness or uneasy breathing. Neurological diseases or disorders-Hoarseness can occur with Parkinson’s disease or after a stroke. If it lasts four weeks or more, or if you are at a higher risk of developing throat cancer (i.e., you smoke), you should have your voice box evaluated by an ENT specialist. Pre-cancerous or cancerous lesions-Pre-cancer or cancerous lesions on the vocal cords can also cause hoarseness. Non-cancerous vocal cord lesions-Nodules, polyps, and cysts usually develop after prolonged trauma to the vocal cords from talking too much, too loudly, or with bad technique. You can seriously damage your vocal cords if you talk while you have laryngitis. A cold, viral infection in your breathing tract, or voice strain can make your vocal cords swell. Acute laryngitis-The most common cause of hoarseness is acute laryngitis.
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