Hoarseness is a condition where vocal cords cannot produce sounds properly. There are two types: organic, caused by an impediment to vocal cord function, and functional, caused by a psychogenic component. Hoarseness can be caused by various factors, including the common cold, thyroid disorders, trauma, tumors, smoking, and mental disorders. Early treatment is important to avoid permanent damage.
Dysphonia is a condition in which the vocal cords are unable to produce sounds properly. Since many factors can lead to the development of this inability of the vocal cords to function properly, modern medicine has identified different types of this condition. Some forms of this condition are short-term in nature, while others may take some time to correct.
There are two general categories or types of hoarseness. The organic type includes situations in which there is some sort of impediment to vocal cord function, such as an infection or damage to the cords following an accident. Functional hoarseness involves situations where there is some type of psychogenic component, or perhaps improper use of the vocal cords leading to a temporary problem with the voice.
Unlike aphonia, in which the individual is unable to produce easily understood speech sounds, sufferers of hoarseness can often still communicate with others, although communication is often painful and somewhat difficult to manage. One of the most common forms of this condition accompanies the common cold. Along with the sore throat, the individual may experience hoarseness, making the voice hoarse and difficult to modulate to a normal pitch. If the infection worsens, hoarseness can give way to laryngitis, which further impairs the ability to speak clearly.
Along with the common cold and related throat infection, organic hoarseness can also be the result of a malfunctioning thyroid gland. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can negatively impact vocal cord function, making it sometimes very difficult to speak at a normal level. Treating the underlying thyroid disorder often helps restore voice function to normal levels.
Trauma to the vocal cord nodules can also lead to hoarseness. This can include a blow directly to the throat or the penetration of a foreign object that damages the vocal cords. In situations like this, surgery may be needed to repair the damage and allow for a period of healing. As healing progresses, the individual will find it easier to produce intelligible speech with increased clarity and decreased pain.
The development of tumors can also lead to hoarseness. A malignant growth pressing against the vocal cords can produce a hoarse voice or cause severe pain when the individual attempts to speak. Removing the tumor will allow the vocal cords to heal, gradually restoring a normal voice and allowing the individual to speak without pain.
There are other causes that can lead to different forms of hoarseness. Smoking can produce a hoarse voice which is a more or less permanent condition. Mental disorders can impair the ability to properly control vocal cord function. Inhaling corticosteroids also increases the chance of developing some type of this condition.
While many forms of hoarseness can be successfully treated and restore normal voice function, early treatment should be sought to avoid permanent damage. A trained physician can assess the patient’s condition and administer the appropriate medications and strategies to address the situation. Waiting until the condition has progressed significantly makes overcoming the problem much more difficult and can lead to permanent loss of at least some vocal function.
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