Hoarseness
• Hoarseness (Coarse voice) is the symptom of a decrease in the quality of phonation, the production of sound through the vocal cords.
• Hoarseness can be a symptom of:
· gastroesophageal reflux
· post nasal drip (from chronic allergic rhinitis)
· laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx due to allergies, infection or stomach acid)
· overuse syndrome (excessive speaking)
· polyp or cancer of the vocal cord
· laryngeal cancer
· lung cancer
· hypothyroidism
· thyroid cancer
• Hoarseness that persists or worsens should be evaluated by your doctor.
Posted on December 16, 2008
