Hoarse Throat

A hoarse throat is a health condition where the pitch and quality of the voice is changed. Usually, many of us experience a hoarse voice early in the morning, but this is temporary hoarseness that disappears after a while. The most common symptoms of hoarse throat are cough, difficulty in swallowing, and a harsh voice that makes speaking difficult. Let us discuss some of the causes of hoarse throat, and then some simple remedies to treat hoarse throat.

Causes of Hoarse Throat

As mentioned earlier, hoarse throat is a result of some problem in the vocal cord or the voice box (larynx). When we speak, the sound is produced by the vibrations of the vocal folds present in the voice box. Inflammation of the vocal folds, swelling, or accumulation of mucus hinders the vibration of the vocal folds, which results in alteration of the volume and pitch of your voice. There are many causes that can lead to a hoarse throat. It can be a minor bacterial infection or some serious health problem like throat cancer. Speaking loudly for a longer period of time, exposure to excessive smoke or irritants, common cold and cough are some of the common causes of a hoarse throat.

Laryngitis, which is inflammation of the larynx, is another cause of hoarseness in throat. Laryngitis can be either chronic or acute. Acute laryngitis is basically because of some upper respiratory tract infection, while chronic laryngitis persists for a long time and may pose serious problems. Excessive chewing of tobacco or smoking can also lead to a hoarse throat, and cause throat cancer. In Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), the acidic food present in the stomach refluxes back into the mouth, causing irritation of the vocal folds and hence, a hoarse throat. Other causes of hoarse throat include, allergies, bronchitis, tonsillitis, post nasal drip syndrome, and puberty.

Remedies for a Hoarse Throat

For hoarseness in throat that is caused by common cold and cough, you can follow some easy home remedies. Given below is a list of home remedies that you can use to relieve hoarse throat.

Gargle with Salt Water: Gargling with salt water is the best method to get some instant relief from hoarse throat. Add half a teaspoon of salt in one cup or glass of warm water and gargle at least twice a day. You can also gargle with an antibacterial mouthwash.

Inhale Steam: Steam is a very effective method to treat infections of the upper respiratory tract. Boil some water in a vessel and add a few drops of an essential oil, such as eucalyptus oil, in it. Use a towel to cover your head and breathe in the steam that comes from this mixture.

Drink Hot Fluids: Drinking hot fluids helps to ease the symptoms of a hoarse throat. Milk mixed with turmeric powder, is an age-old natural remedy for treating hoarse throat. You can add some sugar to this mixture to reduce the bitter taste of turmeric. You can also have some herbal tea to soothe your hoarse throat. A mixture of lemon extract and honey in warm water, is also a good remedy for a hoarse throat.

Medications: There are certain medications like analgesics, that help to alleviate hoarseness in throat. Some pharmaceutical companies produce throat sprays, which if sprayed over the throat, relieves the symptoms of a hoarse throat. However, it is recommended that you seek medical advice before taking any medications.

This was a summary on the causes and remedies for hoarse throat. If you have a hoarse throat due to smoking, then you should try to quit smoking at the earliest. Consult your doctor if the hoarseness in your throat prevails for more than a week.