Hoarseness
Hoarseness affects many Australians and can impact your way of life…
Suddenly being social has become a task, answering the phone a useless effort. If you are suffering from hoarseness, at ENT Surgeons of Melbourne we may be able to help you.
Hoarseness is a general term used to describe irregular changes in the voice. When suffering from hoarseness, the voice can sound raspy, strained, breathy or even fluctuate in volume or pitch. These changes are usually due to conditions involving the vocal cords. Inflammation, swelling or lumps in the vocal cords can prevent them from coming together and can alter the way the cords vibrate.
When should I seek help for my hoarseness?
It is important to seek out the help of your GP and a possible referral for further treatment if you suffer from:
- Coughing up blood
- Pain in the throat that is not associated with cold or flu
- Hoarseness that lasts longer than two weeks, especially if you smoke
- Difficulty swallowing
- Lumps in the neck
- A complete loss of voice or change in the voice that lasts longer than a few days
