Some simple ways to treat hoarseness that can be done at home include drinking plenty of water, using a humidifier in the room, resting your voice or gargling with warm water and salt, as these help keep your throat and vocal cords hydrated and humidified. , making the mucus more liquid, in addition to relieving swelling or inflammation in the larynx or throat that may be causing hoarseness.
Hoarseness is not always serious and can occur due to poor use of the voice, flu or colds, and generally tends to disappear within a few days. However, if the hoarseness is prolonged or constant, lasting more than 2 weeks, it may indicate more serious situations such as injuries to the vocal cords, for example, and should always be evaluated by an otolaryngologist to indicate the most appropriate treatment.
What is good for hoarseness
Some tips for treating hoarseness at home are:
1. Drink plenty of water
Drinking water increases hydration and humidification of the throat and vocal cords, in addition to reducing the viscosity of mucus on the vocal folds, helping to relieve hoarseness.
Therefore, it is recommended to drink at least 2 liters of water per day in small sips. For people who have difficulty drinking water, a good option is to add the juice of half a lemon to the water to add flavor and make it easier to drink.
2. Rest by voice
Resting your voice for a few days, avoiding talking too much, shouting or singing, is a way to improve hoarseness, especially when it is caused by some irritation or inflammation in the throat or larynx, as it helps to relieve swelling or inflammation.
In addition, you should also avoid whispering or speaking very quietly, as this increases tension on the vocal cords, which can worsen hoarseness.
Another way to rest your voice to relieve hoarseness is to remain silent for 15 to 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.
3. Use a humidifier
A humidifier in the room is recommended, especially when the air is very dry, as it increases humidity in the air, reducing irritation or inflammation of the throat, in addition to opening the airways, helping to release phlegm and making breathing easier, helping to relieve pain. hoarseness.
If you don’t have a humidifier at home, you can take a hot shower, breathing in the water vapor, or even vaporize it by adding boiling water to a basin, and then covering your head with an open towel, so that you also cover the basin containing hot water and breathe in the water vapor for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Chewing gum
Chewing gum naturally stimulates saliva production, helping to moisten and lubricate the throat, calming irritation and relieving hoarseness. Preference should be given to sugar-free gum to avoid damaging your teeth.
5. Gargle with warm salt water
Gargling with warm salt water has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action, helping to relieve hoarseness, sore throat and remove bacteria that can cause inflammation and infection in the throat.
To gargle with warm salt water, place a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and mix. Gargle several times a day. Check out some natural remedies to combat hoarseness.
6. Avoid very cold or very hot foods and drinks
Very hot or very cold foods can increase throat irritation and worsen hoarseness, so extreme temperatures should be avoided, giving preference to foods and drinks that are warm or at room temperature.
7. Avoid substances that irritate the throat
Some substances such as alcohol, caffeine and cigarettes can increase throat irritation, leading to worsening hoarseness, and therefore, smoking and consuming drinks containing caffeine, such as coffee, black tea or green tea, or alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine or whiskey, for example.
8. Do vocal cord exercises
Some exercises for the vocal cords, such as rotating the shoulders forward and backward, or making vibration movements with the tongue saying TRRRRR or BRRRRR, for example, help to improve the voice, increase blood circulation and oxygenation of the vocal cords and relieve hoarseness.
These exercises can be done daily as they also help prevent hoarseness and damage to the vocal cords, especially in people who use their voices a lot at work, such as teachers, speakers or singers, for example, and it is important to do them with the guidance of a speech therapist.
Possible causes of hoarseness
The most common causes of hoarseness are poor use of the voice, flu, colds or catarrh, hormonal changes, such as those that occur in adolescence, gastroesophageal reflux, which damages the larynx, respiratory allergies, persistent dry cough, hypothyroidism, Parkinson’s disease or myasthenia and heart or throat surgery.
Hoarseness can also be caused by stress or anxiety, leading to the development of emotional hoarseness. Furthermore, some habits such as smoking, drinking or being in highly polluted environments, or even more serious situations such as nodules on the vocal cords or laryngeal cancer, for example, can cause prolonged or constant hoarseness. Learn more about laryngeal cancer.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to consult an otolaryngologist or a general practitioner if the hoarseness persists for more than 2 weeks or if it is accompanied by symptoms such as coughing up blood or difficulty breathing. Babies should also be taken to the pediatrician as soon as they experience hoarseness.
During the consultation, the doctor must evaluate the symptoms and may carry out a throat assessment using laryngoscopy, but depending on the suspicion, he may also order tests such as endoscopy and laryngeal electromyography, for example, to determine the cause of the hoarseness and indicate the most appropriate treatment. adequate.
