Causes
Common causes of laryngitis, hoarseness, or voice loss are:
- Upper respiratory tract infection—This is most often caused by a virus, such as the common cold.
- Irritation caused by voice overuse—Overuse can be caused by yelling, singing, and speaking loudly for extended periods of time.
- Airborne irritants—Irritants include cigarette smoke and pollen, dust, and mold allergens.
- Vocal nodules—These are benign lesions (similar to calluses) that are caused by thickening of the epithelial tissue of the vocal cords.
- Vocal polyps—These are soft, fluid-filled lesions on the vocal cords, which can be caused by one episode of voice abuse. The polyps may become cancerous, particularly in smokers.
- Infections—Infections may include tuberculous laryngitis and fungal laryngitis.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)—GERD is stomach acid that rises up in the esophagus and irritates the vocal folds.
Other less common causes of hoarseness or voice loss include:
- Functional dysphonia—abnormal use of the vocal mechanisms despite normal anatomy
- Laryngeal papilloma—growths on the larynx caused by human papilloma viral infection
- Muscle tension dysphonia—a voice disorder caused by excessive or unequal tension while speaking
- Reinke's edema—an accumulation of fluid in the vocal cords, usually associated with smoking
- Spasmodic dysphonia—a condition resulting in irregular voice breaks
- Vocal cord paralysis—weakness or immobility of the vocal cords
- Side effects from inhaled medications used for asthma
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Risk factors include:
- Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke
- Excessive use of the voice as in singing, public speaking, or yelling
- Allergies to dust, mold, and pollen
- Excess alcohol consumption
- Recent respiratory infection
- Uncontrolled GERD
- Dehydration
- Stress
- Recent travel
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.