HOARSENESS Prevention and types of treatment

Rua Dom Pedro II 891 conj. 604 CEP: 90550-142 - Porto Alegre – RS – Brazil
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HOARSENESS
Prevention and types of treatment
What is hoarseness?
What are the causes of hoarseness?
How is hoarseness evaluated?
When do I need to seek specialized medical evaluation?
What are the treatments for vocal disorders?
What can I do in order to prevent and treat hoarseness?
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This Informational Bulletin has restricted access to our patients.
Rua Dom Pedro II 891 conj. 604 CEP: 90550-142 - Porto Alegre – RS – Brazil
Phone/Fax: + 55 51 33376566 / 33256444 / 37791570
www.laringe.com.br
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
WHAT IS HOARSENESS?
Hoarseness is the term employed to describe abnormal changes in the
voice, which can be in quality (when it sounds breathy, raspy or husky)
and in intensity. These changes occur as a result of structural or nonstructural alterations. The former include nodules, polyps, cists or tumors;
the latter include neurological (e.g. paralysis) or functional (caused by the
use of certain types of medication, voice misuse, etc) alterations on the
vocal folds.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF HOARSENESS?
There are many risk factors for hoarseness. Inflammatory and
infectious processes, which usually last for less than 10 days, are some of
them. Structural alterations persist for as long as the lesions on the vocal
folds are present. Vocal misuse, nodules, cists or polyps are risk factors
associated with long-lasting hoarseness in adults.
Vocal nodules are more frequent in children than in adults, as the first
group uses the voice in playing activities.
In adults, gastroesophageal reflux can be a cause of hoarseness. These
patients present hawk, dry cough, the feeling of having a lump in the
throat, and other symptoms. Gastroesophageal reflux has been
considered a risk factor for larynx cancer¹. In addition, it has been recently
_____________________________________________________________________
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Rua Dom Pedro II 891 conj. 604 CEP: 90550-142 - Porto Alegre – RS – Brazil
Phone/Fax: + 55 51 33376566 / 33256444 / 37791570
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described as a cause of deterioration of vocal quality and of diminished
phonation capacity².
Other risk factors such as smoking, alcoholism and antioxidant
vitamins deficiency have also been associated with vocal alterations and,
especially, with larynx cancer³.
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1 Laryngoscope, 101 (4Pt 2 Suppl 53): 1-78, April 1991.
2 J. Voice, 20(1): 128-136, March 2006.
3 Revista Amrigs, 48(4): 235-242, Dez 2004.
HOW IS HOARSENESS EVALUATED?
Medical evaluation takes into account the symptoms described by the
patient and includes ear, nose and throat examination. Laryngeal
endoscopy (with or without video recording), is a useful tool in
differentiating lesions in the vocal folds. The procedure is well tolerated by
patients of all ages and there is no need of hospitalization.
_____________________________________________________________________
This Informational Bulletin has restricted access to our patients.
Rua Dom Pedro II 891 conj. 604 CEP: 90550-142 - Porto Alegre – RS – Brazil
Phone/Fax: + 55 51 33376566 / 33256444 / 37791570
www.laringe.com.br
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
WHEN DO I NEED TO SEEK SPECIALIZED MEDICAL EVALUATION?
When the hoarseness persists for more than 2 weeks or when it is
associated with:
- Pain or burning in the throat that is not related to common cold;
- Coughing up of blood;
- Difficulty in swallowing;
- Presence of lumps in the neck;
- Breathing difficulties;
- Hawk or feeling of having a lump in the throat.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR VOCAL DISORDERS?
The treatment of choice will depend on the cause. In many cases,
hoarseness is treated with medication, vocal rest or changes in vocal
habits, which can be achieved by speech therapy. Surgical intervention is
restricted to cases of structural lesions on the vocal folds and of
neurological lesions in the larynx; in these cases, speech therapy is also
part of the treatment. Larynx hydration is essential, especially for
professional voice users.
_____________________________________________________________________
This Informational Bulletin has restricted access to our patients.
Rua Dom Pedro II 891 conj. 604 CEP: 90550-142 - Porto Alegre – RS – Brazil
Phone/Fax: + 55 51 33376566 / 33256444 / 37791570
www.laringe.com.br
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT AND TREAT MY HOARSENESS?
- Avoid dehydrating agents, such as alcohol and caffeine;
- Avoid smoking;
- Drink water according to the recommended daily amounts;
- Avoid excessively cold environments (air conditioner);
- Avoid spicy foods;
- Professional voice users: use the voice moderately (restrict the time
period);
- Avoid speaking or singing when your voice is hoarse or with other
alterations.
LINKS:
- Journal of Voice: www.jvoice.org/home
- Pacific Voice Speech Foundation: www.pvsf.org
- Estill Voice International: www.trainmyvoice.com
- Brazilian Otorhinolaryngology Foundation: www.forl.org.br
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This Informational Bulletin has restricted access to our patients.