A tickle in your throat once and a while is probably okay. But, when it tends to linger for days at a time or you experience chronic hoarseness, it might be time to have an ENT (Ears, nose, and throat) doctor take a look.
Chronic hoarseness can make it difficult for you to speak clearly and can leave you with a feeling like you constantly have to clear your throat.
If you’re struggling with hoarseness, Pikes Peak ENT provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment solutions at the practice’s two locations in Colorado Springs, as well as the clinic in Woodland Park, Colorado.
What causes hoarseness?
Hoarseness is defined as a change in your voice that can vary from a deeper tone to raspiness (among other changes).
Caused by an inflammation of the larynx that can affect your voice making it scratchy and raspy, hoarseness can not only be inconvenient but also cause discomfort.
If your voice is hoarse, it means that your vocal cords are irritated or inflamed. This could be caused by or related to:
- Allergies
- Laryngitis
- Smoking
- Thyroid problems
- Vocal cord paralysis
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Vocal cord polyps, cysts, or nodules
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Overuse, as with singing or public speaking
While less common, sometimes hoarseness is caused by certain types of cancer, such as cancer of your larynx which is an important reason why you should have chronic hoarseness checked.
When should I see a doctor for hoarseness?
It’s important to come into Pikes Peak ENT for an evaluation if you’re experiencing hoarseness that lasts for several days or that continues to worsen. You should also have an evaluation if you experience:
- Fever
- Heartburn
- Sore throat
- Post-nasal drip
- Difficulty or pain while swallowing
Your dedicated physician at Pikes Peak ENT spends time talking with you about your symptoms.
To help diagnose the cause of your hoarseness, your doctor is going to examine your throat with light and possibly take a throat culture. Laboratory testing and X-ray imaging are also common diagnostic tools to get to the root of hoarseness.
How is hoarseness treated?
Once your dedicated practitioner at Pikes Peak ENT diagnoses you and counsels you about your condition, they spend time designing a treatment plan. To resolve hoarseness, your doctor may recommend:
- Medications to treat GERD
- Immunotherapy for allergies
- Using a humidifier at home
- Smoking cessation
- Cough suppressants
If your doctor finds abnormal growth during your diagnosis, they may recommend surgery. Pikes Peak ENT specializes in up-to-date surgical procedures to remove abnormal growths while preserving surrounding healthy skin tissue, so you can experience a faster recovery.
Once your board-certified practitioner treats your case of hoarseness, they educate you about preventive solutions. It’s important to stay hydrated and resist the frequent urge to clear your throat to reduce hoarseness issues in the future.
Before struggling with hoarseness another day, contact Pikes Peak ENT for an evaluation. Click on the online scheduling tool or call any clinic location to speak with a team member directly.
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