Hoarse Voice

Hoarse voice in the morning is a common phenomenon almost everyone experiences which is known to be caused due to a long nap. But a constant hoarseness in voice can be a result of various health conditions. Hoarse voice is characterized by difficulty while speaking, abnormal pitch and volume change while you speak. Hoarse voice symptoms include strained, husky voice, difficulty in swallowing and breathy sound. It can be caused due to many reasons, some of which are mentioned below.

Causes of a Hoarse Voice

Any health condition that directly or indirectly affects the vocal cords in the larynx, due to which vocal cords cannot close completely, leads to hoarse voice. Common cold and sinusitis are the most common causes of hoarse voice in children and adults. Other hoarse voice causes include Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), cough, sore throat, cold and flu, laryngitis, strep throat, viral infection, allergies or tonsillitis. Shouting, crying, talking or screaming for a long time can also lead to this problem. Hence, singers and speakers are prone to it. Irritants like alcohol, smoking, chewing beetle also cause this problem. People working in dusty environment are also prone to hoarse voice problem. Let us know more about the hoarse voice treatment.

Treatments for a Hoarse Voice

If you are suffering from a health condition like cough, cold, sinusitis, etc. you must soon get it checked from a doctor. This will also probably relieve the problem of hoarse voice. You can also carry on with these home remedies to cure hoarse voice.

Rest: The first step towards treating hoarse voice is to rest. Remember that whispering or shouting can only worsen the condition as it puts a lot of pressure on your vocal cords. Avoid speaking and if required, talk in a low voice.

Warm Milk: Take a cup of warm milk. Add 1 tsp. of black pepper powder to it. Mix well and drink it twice a day to cure the hoarseness. You can also add a bit of sugar.

Warm Water: Warm water is one of the best remedies for hoarse voice. You can drink warm water 3-4 times a day and get fast relief from hoarse voice. Make sure you do not drink warm water 1-1½ hour after or before having your meals. You can instead gargle with warm water to cure this problem. You can add ½ tsp. of salt in 1 cup warm water for gargling. Remember not to use any mouthwash to gargle.

Steam: Now, this one is a classic solution for hoarse voice problem. Boil water in a wide bowl and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to it. Now inhale the vapors coming out from hot water for 10 minutes. You can also add 2 tbsp. of turmeric powder to 100 ml of water. Boil it and inhale the steam.

Ginger Tea: Ginger is very effective in treating hoarse voice. While you need to stay away from juices and caffeine, you can always opt for ginger tea if you are suffering from hoarse voice. To make ginger tea, cut a fresh 1-2 inch ginger root. Make thin slices and add them to 1 quart boiling water. Cover the pot and let the water simmer on low heat for about half hour. Now, take it off the heat and leave it for cooling. You can sweeten it with honey if required. Strain and drink ½ - 1 cup ginger tea 4-5 times a day to treat hoarse voice.

Precautions: Dust and pollution are known to aggravate the hoarse voice problem. You must avoid gong to such places and keep your nose and mouth covered with a mask when outdoors. In cold weather, the environment becomes dry and parched so it is recommended to use a humidifier to keep the moisture in. Also, avoid smoking, alcohol and caffeine. Stay away from aerated drinks and other juices.

The aforementioned home remedies for hoarse voice have no side effects. You can use them regularly for a few days and get your normal voice back.