What are the main reasons for losing your voice. How can you identify the symptoms of laryngitis. What are the treatment options for voice loss. When should you seek medical attention for hoarseness. How can you prevent damage to your vocal cords.

Understanding Laryngitis: Symptoms and Causes

Laryngitis, the inflammation of the larynx (voice box), is a common condition that can lead to voice loss. It typically resolves within a week without treatment, but understanding its symptoms and causes is crucial for proper management.

Key Symptoms of Laryngitis

• Hoarseness
• Difficulty speaking
• Sore throat
• Mild fever
• Irritating cough
• Constant need to clear the throat

These symptoms usually worsen over two to three days and may persist for up to a week after other symptoms subside. In rare cases, laryngeal swelling can cause breathing difficulties, particularly in young children with narrower windpipes.

Common Causes of Laryngitis

Laryngitis can be classified as acute or chronic based on its duration and cause:

1. Acute laryngitis (lasting less than three weeks):
   • Viral infections (e.g., common cold, flu)
   • Vocal strain
2. Chronic laryngitis (lasting more than three weeks):
   • Smoking
   • Alcohol misuse
   • Allergic reactions

The Impact of Everyday Habits on Vocal Health

Our daily activities and habits can significantly affect our vocal cords and potentially lead to voice loss. Understanding these factors can help in maintaining optimal vocal health.

Overuse of Voice

Excessive talking, singing, or shouting can strain the vocal cords, leading to hoarseness or temporary voice loss. This is particularly common among teachers, singers, and public speakers.

Smoking and Alcohol Consumption

Smoking irritates the throat and can cause chronic laryngitis. Similarly, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration and irritation of the vocal cords.

Improper Hydration

Not drinking enough water can cause the vocal cords to become dry and irritated, affecting voice quality.

Medical Conditions Associated with Voice Loss

While lifestyle factors play a significant role in voice loss, various medical conditions can also impact vocal health.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD can cause stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus and irritate the vocal cords, leading to chronic hoarseness.

Thyroid Disorders

Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can affect the voice. Hypothyroidism may cause a deeper, raspier voice, while hyperthyroidism can lead to a tremor in the voice.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This autoimmune condition can sometimes affect the cricoarytenoid joint in the larynx, leading to hoarseness and difficulty speaking.

Structural Issues Affecting the Voice Box

Certain physical abnormalities in the larynx can cause persistent voice problems.

Vocal Cord Nodules, Polyps, and Cysts

These benign growths on the vocal cords can cause hoarseness, breathiness, and difficulty producing certain pitches.

Laryngeal Cancer

While rare, persistent hoarseness lasting more than three weeks could be a sign of laryngeal cancer and should be evaluated by a medical professional.

Allergies and Their Effect on Voice Quality

Allergies can significantly impact vocal health, leading to various voice-related issues.

How Do Allergies Affect the Voice?

Allergic reactions can cause inflammation in the nasal passages and throat, leading to postnasal drip. This excess mucus can irritate the vocal cords, resulting in hoarseness or voice loss.

Managing Allergy-Related Voice Issues

To mitigate the impact of allergies on your voice:

• Use antihistamines or decongestants as recommended by your doctor
• Stay hydrated to thin mucus secretions
• Use a humidifier to keep the air moist
• Avoid known allergens when possible

Neurological Conditions and Voice Disorders

Certain neurological diseases can affect the nerves controlling the vocal cords, leading to voice problems.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s can cause a soft, monotone voice and difficulty initiating speech.

Multiple Sclerosis

MS may lead to slurred speech or changes in voice quality due to impaired nerve function.

Myasthenia Gravis

This condition can cause weakness in the muscles controlling speech, resulting in a breathy or nasal voice.

Prevention and Treatment Strategies for Voice Loss

While not all causes of voice loss are preventable, there are several strategies to maintain vocal health and treat existing issues.

Preventive Measures

• Practice good vocal hygiene (avoid shouting, speaking in noisy environments)
• Stay hydrated
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Use proper breathing techniques when speaking or singing
• Get vaccinated against flu and other respiratory infections

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the underlying cause of voice loss:

• Rest and hydration for acute laryngitis
• Voice therapy for chronic voice issues
• Medication for allergies or reflux
• Surgery for structural abnormalities or cancer

When to Seek Medical Attention for Voice Problems

While many cases of voice loss resolve on their own, certain situations warrant medical evaluation.

Red Flags for Voice Issues

Consult a healthcare provider if you experience:

• Hoarseness lasting more than three weeks
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Coughing up blood
• Unexplained weight loss along with voice changes
• Complete loss of voice lasting more than a few days

Diagnostic Procedures

To determine the cause of persistent voice problems, your doctor may recommend:

• Laryngoscopy: A visual examination of the larynx
• Stroboscopy: A specialized technique to observe vocal cord vibrations
• Imaging studies: Such as CT or MRI scans
• Blood tests: To check for underlying medical conditions

Understanding the various causes of voice loss and implementing preventive measures can help maintain vocal health. From common conditions like laryngitis to more serious issues like laryngeal cancer, being aware of the symptoms and knowing when to seek medical attention is crucial. By adopting good vocal hygiene practices and addressing underlying health issues, you can preserve your voice and ensure clear communication for years to come.

Voice loss can be a distressing experience, but with proper care and attention, most cases can be effectively managed or resolved. Whether you’re a professional voice user or someone who simply values clear communication, taking steps to protect your vocal health is an investment in your overall well-being. Remember, your voice is a powerful tool – treat it with the care it deserves.

Laryngitis | NHS inform

Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx (voice box). In most cases, it gets better without treatment in about a week.

Symptoms of laryngitis can begin suddenly and usually get worse over a period of two to three days. Common symptoms of laryngitis include:

• hoarseness
• difficulty speaking
• sore throat
• mild fever
• irritating cough
• a constant need to clear your throat

The hoarse voice and speaking difficulties usually get worse each day you’re ill and may last for up to a week after the other symptoms have gone.

In a few cases, the larynx can swell and cause breathing difficulties. This isn’t common in adults but can occur in young children who have smaller, narrower windpipes.

Laryngitis is often linked to another illness, such as a cold, flu, throat infection (pharyngitis) or tonsillitis, so you might also have other symptoms such as:

• a headache
• swollen glands
• runny nose
• pain when swallowing
• feeling tired and achy

When to seek medical help

As laryngitis often gets better quickly without treatment, you normally only need to see your GP if the symptoms are particularly severe or they last longer than two weeks.

You should seek immediate medical help if you or your child experience breathing difficulties.

If you see your GP, they’ll discuss the possible causes with you and may refer you for tests or to a specialist in hospital.

Read more about diagnosing laryngitis

Why it happens

In most cases, laryngitis is caused by either: 

• a viral infection – such as a cold or flu, or 
• damage to your larynx – usually by straining your voice

In these cases, most of the symptoms usually pass within a week. This is known as acute laryngitis.

Laryngitis can occasionally have other causes, such as smoking, alcohol misuse or an allergic reaction, and the symptoms can last much longer. This is known as chronic laryngitis.

Read more about the causes of laryngitis

How laryngitis is treated

Most cases of laryngitis get better without treatment within a week. To help your vocal cords heal, it’s important not to smoke, to avoid smoky environments, drink plenty of fluids (particularly water) and try to rest your voice as much as possible.

In some cases, it may be possible to treat the underlying cause of laryngitis. For example, if the symptoms are caused by an allergic reaction, you may be able avoid the substance you’re allergic to, or take medication to help control your body’s response to the substance.

Read more about treating laryngitis

Can laryngitis be prevented?

As laryngitis is often caused by a common viral infection, such as a cold or flu, it’s not always possible to prevent it.

However, you can reduce your risk of developing the condition by:

• making sure you have the annual flu vaccine (if recommended by your GP)
• practising good personal hygiene  – such as washing your hands before and after eating and after using the toilet
• avoiding close contact with people who have respiratory infections, such as a cold or flu – particularly if you’re prone to laryngitis
• avoiding irritants, such as smoke or dust – particularly if you have a cold or other respiratory tract infection
• not smoking
• not drinking more than the recommended limits of alcohol consumption
• not regularly clearing your throat – as this can irritate the larynx (try swallowing instead)
• raising your head with pillows when you’re sleeping – to protect your larynx from any acid reflux from your stomach during sleep
• not shouting or singing loudly or for long periods of time – it’s important for people who regularly use their voice excessively to receive proper training so they don’t damage their larynx

Why Am I Losing My Voice? 11 Possible Causes Of Voice Loss

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Medically Reviewed by David Zelman, MD on November 27, 2022

• A Cold
• You Use Your Voice Too Much
• Smoking
• Allergies
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Trouble With Your Thyroid
• GERD
• Laryngitis
• Nodules, Polyps, and Cysts
• Nervous System Diseases
• Laryngeal Cancer
• More

Maybe you first notice something is wrong when your normally clear-as-a-bell voice gets a little bit husky. Pretty soon all that your friends can hear is a lot of croaking when you try to speak up. Too much singing in the shower, you wonder, or is something more serious to blame?

Check out these culprits that could explain why you’re hoarse.

When you speak, air passes through the voice box in your throat and hits the two bands called vocal cords. Your voice makes sounds when they vibrate.

A cold can throw a wrench into this smooth-running machine. Your throat gets inflamed and sore. Then your vocal cords swell, which affects the way they vibrate. The end result: You’re hoarse.

Rest your voice and drink plenty of fluids. Your volume will return when you recover.

Learn more ways to treat the common cold.

Each time you talk or sing, you use different muscles, including some in your mouth and throat. Just like other muscles in your body, overuse of the ones that help you speak can lead to fatigue, strain, and injury. The wrong technique can also bring on hoarseness.

Here are some common things that you may be doing wrong:
 

• Speak, sing, yell, or cough too much
• Use a pitch that’s higher or lower than normal when you talk
• Cradle your phone between your head and shoulder

Cigarette smoke irritates your vocal cords, which can lead to long-term voice problems. Studies show that former and current smokers are about three times more likely to have a voice disorder than people who never smoke.

Smoking can also raise your risk of developing a small, noncancerous growth called a polyp on your vocal cords. It can cause your voice to become low, breathy, and hoarse.

Find out how smoking can also affect your heart.

When you think about allergies, you probably think of a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing. But they can also take a toll on your voice in several ways:

• An allergic reaction can cause your vocal cords to swell.
• Postnasal drip — when mucus moves from your nose into your throat — can irritate your vocal cords.
• Coughing and clearing your throat can strain your vocal cords.
• Antihistamine drugs for allergies can dry out mucus in your throat. This may harm your vocal cords, which need moisture to work.

Learn ways you can allergy-proof your environment.

It’s an autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints. About 1 in 3 people with RA get vocal problems, including a sore throat and loss of voice. That’s because the condition can affect tiny joints in your face and throat, which leads to problems with your breathing and the way your vocal cords work.

Read more about how RA can affect your body.

This butterfly-shaped gland in your lower neck pumps out a hormone that controls a number of functions in your body. When your thyroid doesn’t make enough of it, one symptom you might have is a hoarse voice.

If you have a goiter — when your thyroid gets larger — you may cough a lot and have problems with your speech. A growth on the thyroid, or a nodule, can also affect the way you speak.

Learn more about thyroid nodules.

It’s a condition that makes stomach acid wash back up into the esophagus, a tube that leads into your throat. The main symptom is heartburn, but GERD can also weaken your voice.

Stomach acid can irritate your vocal cords, throat, and esophagus. This leads to a hoarse voice, wheezing, and too much mucus in your throat.

Find out how GERD is diagnosed and treated.

It’s not a disease, but a catch-all word that means you’ve lost your voice. If it happens suddenly, it’s called “acute” laryngitis. You can get it from a cold or overusing your voice.

You can get long-term laryngitis if you breathe in something irritating, like smoke or chemical fumes. It also develops if you get yeast infections of the vocal cords, which can happen if you use asthma inhalers or have problems with your immune system, the body’s defense against germs.

Learn more about laryngitis symptoms.

Although experts aren’t sure why, non-cancerous growths can appear on your vocal cords. They believe that heavy overuse of the voice, such as too much yelling or speaking, can be a cause. There are three types:

Nodules. These callus-like formations usually grow in the middle of the vocal cord. They tend to go away if you give your voice enough rest.

Polyps. These typically appear on one side of the vocal cord. They have a variety of sizes and shapes. Unlike nodules, they often need to be removed surgically.

Cysts. They’re fluid-filled or semi-solid masses of tissue that grow near or beneath the surface of your vocal cord. If they make serious changes to your voice, your doctor will likely recommend surgery to remove them.

A condition that affects your nerves, like Parkinson’s disease, can affect the muscles in your face and throat. Nearly 90% of people with Parkinson’s get some form of a speech or voice disorder.

Parkinson’s causes the parts of the brain that control movement and coordination to decline. This may mean that you’re no longer able to control the muscles needed for speech.

Learn how doctors diagnose Parkinson’s disease.

Long-term hoarseness or voice loss may be a sign of throat cancer. Other symptoms for the disease are:

• Pain when swallowing
• Pain in the ear
• Trouble breathing
• Lump in the neck

Get more information on throat cancer diagnosis and treatment.

If your voice problems last for more than 2 weeks, see a doctor.

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causes, symptoms and treatments of the disease

Contents

• 1 Loss of voice: causes and effective treatment
  • 1. 1 Loss of voice: causes and symptoms
  • 1.2 Accompanying symptoms of loss of voice
    • 1.2.1 1. Sore throat and discomfort when swallowing
    • 1.2.2 2. Severe cough and difficulty breathing
    • 1.2.3 3. Loss of general condition and weakness
    • 1.2.4 4. Change in the tone and sound of the voice
    • 1.2.5 5. Increased body temperature and fever
  • 1.3 Why does the voice disappear?
  • 1.4 How is voice loss diagnosed?
  • 1.5 Treating voice loss at home
    • 1.5.1 Simple measures
    • 1.5.2 Hot drinks
    • 1.5.3 Food
  • 1.6 Medicines to restore the voice 9 0004
  • 1.6.1 Antibiotics
  • 1.6.2 Antihistamines
  • 1.6.3 Throat pain medications
  • 1.6.4 Throat moisturizers
  • 1.6.5 Vocal cord strengtheners
• 1.7 What procedures help to improve vocal cords?
• 1.8 Physical exercises to restore the voice
  • 1.8.1 1. Warm-up of the voice
  • 1. 8.2 2. Throat exercises
  • 1.8.3 3. Breathing exercises
  • 1.8.4 4. Speech exercise
• 1.9 When should I see a doctor because of voice loss?
• 1.10 Prevention of voice loss
• 1.11 How long does it take to regain voice?
• 1.12 Related videos:
• 1.13 Q&A:
  • • 1.13.0.1 What is aphonia?
    • 1.13.0.2 What causes loss of voice?
    • 1.13.0.3 How is aphonia diagnosed?
    • 1.13.0.4 How is voice loss treated?
    • 1.13.0.5 Can aphonia be prevented?
    • 1.13.0.6 How long can aphonia last?

Learn the name of the disease that causes loss of voice and how it can be effectively treated. Tips and recommendations from ENT doctors.

The voice plays a huge role in our life. We use it to communicate with others, express emotions, sing, read aloud, and more. But what if the voice is gone and we can’t speak as usual?

This condition is called aphonia. This is not a disease, but rather a symptom indicating a problem in the vocal cords, throat, or respiratory system. This can be caused by a variety of things, from a cold to stress or long-term voice overload.

Depending on the cause of the symptom, treatment may include medication, voice rest, special voice and respiratory exercises, and, in rare cases, surgery. To properly treat aphonia, you need to contact a specialist who will help determine the cause and choose the best method of treatment.

In this article, we will look at the main causes of aphonia, symptoms, as well as treatment methods that will help restore voice as soon as possible.

Loss of voice: causes and symptoms

Loss of voice is a condition where a person cannot make sounds or speak loudly due to various reasons such as infection, throat injury, fatigue or stress. This may be a temporary or permanent condition.

Some of the most common causes of voice loss include inflammatory conditions of the throat such as pharyngitis or throat fungus, respiratory tract infections such as influenza or the common cold, throat injuries or chronic cough.

The treatment for voice loss depends on its cause. In some cases, rest and warm drinks are sufficient, while in other cases, medication or even surgery may be required. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist for more than a week or if they worsen.

Accompanying symptoms of loss of voice

1. Sore throat and discomfort when swallowing

Loss of voice often causes pain and discomfort in the throat, especially when swallowing. This may be due to inflammation of the larynx, pharynx, or other parts of the airways that are responsible for vocal function.

2. Severe cough and difficulty breathing

Patients suffering from voice loss often have a severe cough and difficulty breathing due to airway inflammation. In some cases, this can lead to bronchial asthma or other serious diseases of the respiratory system.

3. Loss of general condition and weakness

Loss of voice can lead to loss of general condition and weakness caused by a weakened immune system and the possible development of infectious processes in the body. Patients may also experience fatigue and body aches.

4. Changes in the tone and sound of the voice

With voice loss, patients may notice a change in the tone and sound of the voice, which may sound hoarse, low, or high, depending on the cause of the loss of voice.

5. Fever and fever

If the loss of voice is caused by an infectious process, then fever and fever may be additional symptoms that must be considered in diagnosis and treatment.

Why does the voice disappear?

Loss of voice can occur due to various reasons. One of the most common is overstrain of the vocal cords, which is associated with prolonged vocal loads. For example, when screaming at a concert or having a long conversation in a noisy room.

Equally important factors are damage to the larynx in trauma to the face and neck, as well as surgical interventions in the larynx. Often the cause of voice loss is malignant neoplasms in the larynx and respiratory tract, such as cancer of the lungs or larynx.

• vocal cord strain;
• infectious diseases;
• injuries of the face and neck;
• surgical interventions;
• malignant neoplasms.

How is voice loss diagnosed?

Loss of voice is a symptom of many diseases, including infectious, inflammatory and oncological. To diagnose voice loss, you need to visit an ENT doctor who will conduct an examination and determine the cause of the disease.

Your doctor may order a complete blood count, urinalysis, chest X-ray, bronchoscopy, histological examination of the tissues of the larynx and neck, and a microbiological analysis of the mucous membrane of the throat. In some cases, a CT scan may be required to detect neoplasms.

It is important to remember that self-treatment of voice loss can aggravate the disease and negatively affect subsequent treatment. At the first sign of voice loss, you should consult a doctor for diagnosis and effective therapy.

Treating voice loss at home

Simple steps

When your voice is lost, there are a couple of simple steps you can try to help bring it back. First of all, you need to get rid of smoking, as tobacco smoke greatly irritates the throat. Eucalyptus drops can also help cool the throat and reduce inflammation. Steam inhalations of essential oils, such as peppermint or cedar, also help relieve tension in the throat. Lastly, chewing on honey or hard candies can help moisten your throat and reduce pain.

Hot drinks

Hot drinks not only help soften the throat, but also moisten it. So, tea with lemon and honey contains natural antioxidants and can help eliminate bad breath. Warm milk with honey and butter is also good as a health drink. Steam inhalation and the application of hot compresses can also help with healing.

Food

Proper nutrition is the key to a quick recovery. Aloe Nectar relieves inflammation and strengthens the immune system. Ginger can help relieve soreness, and fish is rich in Omega-3s, which reduce the risk of colds. A mix of warm vegetables also helps fight the disease, as they contain a whole complex of vitamins.

Voice restoration drugs

Antibiotics

If the voice is lost due to infection, antibiotics are usually prescribed. They help to cure the disease and restore the voice. Some of these include amoxicillin, azithromycin, and ampicillin.

Antihistamines

If the voice is lost due to allergies, antihistamines are prescribed. They reduce swelling and irritation of the larynx, which allows you to return the voice. For example, it can be loratadine, cetirizine and diphenhydramine.

Throat pain medications

If your voice is lost due to a sore throat, you can take pain medication. They allow you to reduce pain and return the voice. Examples include dextromethorphan, ibuprofen, and paracetamol.

Throat moisturizers

If your voice is lost due to dry throat, you can take moisturizers. They reduce irritation and help restore the voice. For example, it can be glycerin and menthol.

Vocal cord strengtheners

If your voice is often lost due to overexertion of your vocal cords, you can take drugs to strengthen your vocal cords. They reduce the risk of re-strain and restore the voice. For example, it can be vitamin C, echinacea and magnesium.

What procedures help to improve the vocal cords?

Vocal cords is a complex mechanism that allows us to produce sounds. But sometimes this mechanism breaks down, and a person loses his voice. To restore the voice, there are several procedures.

1. Rest and treatment . In some cases, to return the voice, it is enough just to rest and treat a cold. In order for the vocal cords to heal, it is necessary to remove the inflammation and allow them to fully recover.
2. Voice exercises . There are various exercises that help restore the voice. Many of them are aimed at strengthening the vocal cords and the muscles responsible for their functioning. These exercises are often done in conjunction with a speech therapist or voice therapy specialist.
3. Professional treatments . If the voice does not improve on its own or with exercise, professional treatment may be needed. This may include various procedures such as phonosurgery, medications and injections. As a rule, such procedures are carried out by specialists in the field of ENT therapy or phoniatrics.

In any case , if you experience a sore throat or loss of voice, see your doctor. It is necessary to determine exactly what disease caused the voice impairment in order to prescribe the most effective treatment. You shouldn’t ignore vocal cord health issues as this can negatively impact your life and lead to long-term loss of voice.

Exercises to restore the voice

1. Warm-up of the voice

Warm-up of the vocal cords is essential before starting any exercise. To do this, you can perform simple exercises, for example, puff out your cheeks and pronounce the sounds “boo”, “pu”, “tu”, etc. You can also sing simple melodies to stretch your voice.

2.

Throat exercises

The pharyngeal exercises are special exercises for the throat. They help stretch and strengthen the muscles of the larynx, which reduces the likelihood of damage to the vocal cords.

• For example, you can try swallowing water at a slow pace, moving the liquid down your throat.
• You can also take a variety of swallowing tablets and perform exercises with alternating tension of the muscles of the larynx.

3. Breathing exercises

Breathing exercises help to improve the air supply to the vocal cords and nodes, which strengthens the voice.

• To do this, you can perform the “vacuum” exercise by inhaling strongly and holding your breath for 5-10 seconds, and then exhaling slowly.
• You can also try breathing exercises to increase your lung capacity.

4. Speech exercises

Speech exercises help to strengthen the voice and better control it. These exercises may include singing, reading aloud, performing monologues and dialogues.

• For example, you can try to read a book or an article aloud, prepare and conduct presentations, stories.
• You can also visit special courses and classes where you can get the skills of correct speech and voice control.

All of these exercises will help to improve the health of the vocal cords and restore lost voice, but it must be remembered that in any case, before starting exercise, you should consult a doctor.

When should I see a doctor because of loss of voice?

Loss of voice may be due to disease, anatomical changes or injury. Most people recover their voice on their own within a few days, but there are special cases where medical attention is needed. If the voice disappears for more than a week, is accompanied by a sore throat, difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, or other symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.

If the doctor finds that the cause of the loss of voice lies in the disease, it is necessary to prescribe the appropriate treatment. In most cases, this can be an antibiotic, allergy medication, or other medication. However, in some cases, it is necessary to undergo physical therapy, surgery or a change of profession (if the loss of voice is associated with its use).

As a general rule, don’t wait too long to seek medical help. If voice loss persists for more than a week, see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. Do not forget about preventive measures – avoid overloading the vocal cords, monitor voice hygiene and avoid contact with infectious patients.

Prevention of voice loss

Voice loss is not uncommon and can happen to anyone. However, there are a number of preventive measures that help to avoid this problem.

• Observe the voice mode: do not overwork the voice when talking or singing for a long time. Take a break, drink warm tea with honey or water.
• Observe the correct posture: sit straight, do not tilt your head forward. This will help reduce the stress on the vocal cords.
• Give up bad habits: Drinking alcohol and smoking negatively affect the health of the throat and voice.
• Eat well: Nutritious foods rich in vitamins can help with loss of voice.
• Avoid cold drinks: The throat becomes more vulnerable when it gets cold, so avoiding ice and cold drinks can help prevent loss of voice.

These simple steps will help you keep your voice healthy and prevent voice loss. If you find the first symptoms of voice dysfunction, be sure to consult a doctor so that the disease does not progress.

How long does it take to restore the voice?

When a voice is lost, people often wonder how long it will take to restore it. The answer to this question depends on many factors, including the cause of the voice loss, the patient’s age, general health, and the body’s ability to recover.

It is recommended that you follow your doctor’s instructions, keep your vocal cords calm, avoid smoking, alcohol, and spicy, acidic or hot foods, monitor indoor humidity levels, and drink plenty of water. All this will help speed up the voice recovery process and reduce the risk of losing your voice again.

Related videos:

Q&A:

What is aphonia?

Aphonia is a temporary loss of voice caused by functional disorders in the vocal cords.

What causes loss of voice?

Loss of voice can be caused by acute respiratory infections, damage to the vocal cords, overexertion of the vocal muscles, stress, thyroid or laryngeal disorders.

How is aphonia diagnosed?

Aphonia is diagnosed by an otolaryngologist by examining the larynx and performing a phoniatric study using special equipment.

How is voice loss treated?

Treatment of aphonia depends on its cause. If the loss of voice is caused by acute inflammation, it is necessary to carry out symptomatic therapy, including taking anti-inflammatory and mucolytic drugs. In case of damage to the vocal cords, surgery may be necessary, as well as a course of physiotherapy and speech therapy training to restore speech functions.

Can aphonia be prevented?

The risk of losing your voice cannot be completely ruled out, but you can reduce your chance of losing your voice by practicing your voice routine, avoiding smoking, alcohol, and spicy, hot, or cold foods.

How long can aphonia last?

The duration of aphonia depends on its cause and can range from several days to several weeks.

Loss of voice: causes, recovery, prevention

Causes of voice impairment

The nature of the origin of sounds, which we call voice, is physiological, and is formed on the inner wall of the larynx, where the muscles form elastic membranes – vocal folds. Their contraction during the passage of the air flow on exhalation creates a sound, the tonality of which is determined by the degree of these contractions.

The individuality of the voice is determined by the parameters of the larynx and ligaments of each person

In medical terminology, there are 2 concepts that define voice disorders:
1. Aphonia – complete loss of voice
2. Dysphonia – violation of the main parameters of the voice: timbre, tonality and strength.

Complete loss of voice, in turn, is characterized by several types:

• True aphonia – diagnosed with a pathological condition of the larynx, impaired functionality of the vocal folds (incorrect or complete absence of contractions). The causes may be trauma, tumors of various etiologies, including hyperplasia of the thyroid gland.
• Spastic – characterized by spasm of the muscles of the larynx, which significantly narrow the glottis. Spasms occur due to irritation of the mucous membrane of the larynx due to chemical or thermal burns. Among the common causes are malnutrition and strong alcohol.
• Paralytic – occurs due to dysfunction of the lower nerve of the larynx, which “manages” the contractions of its muscles. Causes – surgery, trauma, infection.
• Functional aphonia – as a complication after laryngitis and other diseases of the throat and larynx, as well as as a result of overstrain of the vocal folds – screaming, loud singing. Stress and hypothermia are also common causes.

Partial loss of voice, or violation of its characteristics, or dysphonia, is also divided by physicians into 2 categories:

1. Functional disorders – temporary disturbances in sound parameters – hoarseness, hoarseness of voice, which have favorable preconditions for full recovery.
2. Organic – associated with physiological problems of the larynx and adjacent organs, and treatment rarely gives a complete recovery.

A hoarse voice in a child, as a manifestation of a functional disorder, is not as common as in adults. Much more often, children suffer from hoarseness of voice, which is a manifestation of spastic dysphonia as a result of overstrain of the vocal folds. As medical practice shows, children with hyperactivity are susceptible to it, which includes talking in raised tones, loud screams during games and children’s fun.

Organic disorders are a manifestation of changes in the anatomical structure of the larynx due to injuries, tumors, laryngitis and other diseases of this organ, such as paresis and paralysis of the larynx. They are defined as peripheral organic voice disorders.

So, among the main causes of hoarseness or hoarseness of voice, or even temporary loss, we can distinguish:

• Infectious and catarrhal diseases of the upper respiratory tract and throat.
• Hypothermia.
• Ligament strain.
• Traumatic and surgical injuries.
• Neoplasms in the throat and larynx.
• Stress and malnutrition.

Both adults and children are subject to functional and organic disorders of the voice function, however, each of the age categories differs in its own characteristics, both in the pathologies themselves and in their elimination. However, there is a drug that can restore voice quality from the first days, with dysphonia of various etiologies. This is Homeovox, a drug specifically designed to treat hoarseness, voice loss, laryngitis. Homeovox is used both for the treatment and prevention of voice disorders during significant vocal loads.

Hoarseness of voice in adults and children

Hoarseness of voice refers to functional disorders of the vocal apparatus, and manifests itself in the form of sounds that are muffled in strength, timbre and tonality. That is, “on the face” – the incorrect functionality of the vocal folds responsible for these parameters. The causes of disruption of their work can be diseases of the throat, larynx and respiratory tract, as well as injuries to these organs.

Both in children and adults, the voice can “sit down” as a result of such diseases:

• SARS
• Laryngitis
• Pharyngitis
• Tonsollite
• Tracheitis
• Bronchitis.

Chronic diseases, such as tuberculosis, are not excluded. All these diseases are characterized by inflammatory processes that directly or indirectly affect the larynx and vocal cords, disrupting their functionality.

Laryngitis is the most common cause of hoarseness in children

There are a number of other reasons why the vocal cords stop working normally, which is reflected in a hoarse voice in adults and children:

• allergies – acute forms of allergic reactions can provoke swelling of the throat;
• overstrain of the vocal folds – as a result of prolonged or excessive effort, muscle function is inhibited;
• neoplasms – tumors of various etiologies, papillomatosis;
• injuries and burns – physiological damage to the ligaments preclude their normal functioning;
• endocrine anomalies – under the influence of hormones, the functions of the larynx are corrected, which is expressed in adolescents or with hormonal disorders;
• dehydration – due to the drying of the mucous membrane, the vocal folds lose the necessary elasticity;
• with a voice mutation in adolescence, the length of the vocal folds may increase sharply, which may be accompanied by the appearance of hoarseness and hoarseness.

It must be remembered that voice mutation occurs in both boys and girls.

Such a diverse list testifies to one thing – if the voice is hoarse for no apparent reason, you should consult a doctor, especially when it comes to a child.

The functional nature of a hoarse voice in a child or adult defines this anomaly as a symptom that indicates a pathology of the larynx or vocal cords directly. Therefore, in addition to the muffled sound of the voice, there are other symptoms:

• sore throat;
• dry mouth;
• hoarseness is added to the hoarseness in the voice.

If fever, chills and general weakness are added to a hoarse voice, this clearly indicates the infectious nature of the disease, which should be treated by a doctor.

For a child, hoarseness is by no means a characteristic phenomenon, especially in infancy, so parents who notice such a problem should not hesitate to contact a pediatrician. If the crying of the child is deaf from birth, this should be paid attention to even in the maternity hospital, since there is a high probability of a congenital pathology of the vocal apparatus. If the baby has a hoarse voice after a few months, this may indicate swelling of the oropharynx due to teething.

Adolescence is characterized by hormonal changes, and the vocal cords are also subject to them, which explains the change in timbre. However, you should not attribute everything to the “breaking” of the voice, since there are many other reasons that only a professional examination of a doctor can establish.

The hoarse voice of an adult can also be a cause for alarm. . By launching a serious reason, you can reach the “point of no return” to the previous voice, or even lose it altogether. It is important to note that persistent hoarseness is one of the symptoms of malignant neoplasms of the larynx. Therefore, this symptom cannot be categorically ignored

Voice restoration

Whatever methods and medicines are used for hoarseness or loss of voice, there is a main and necessary condition in this process – exceptional voice rest.
During recovery, especially refrain from whispering – it extremely strains the vocal cords.