What causes a hoarse voice?

Nov 28, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Lu Cheng

Introduction

In general, hoarseness may be caused by factors such as overuse of the voice, environmental irritation, acute laryngitis, chronic laryngitis, or vocal cord polyps. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a正规 hospital. In daily life, it's important to develop healthy voice-use habits, avoid speaking loudly for prolonged periods, maintain appropriate indoor humidity, and ensure clean air.

Generally, hoarseness may be caused by factors such as overuse of the voice, environmental irritation, acute laryngitis, chronic laryngitis, or vocal cord polyps. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a正规 hospital. Specific causes are analyzed as follows:

1. Voice Overuse

Speaking loudly or shouting for prolonged periods can lead to excessive vibration of the vocal cords, causing mucosal congestion and swelling, which affects voice production. Immediately reduce voice use to allow the vocal cords to rest fully, drink plenty of warm or cool water, and avoid spicy or irritating foods.

2. Environmental Irritation

Long-term exposure to dry, dusty, or polluted air can irritate and dry out the vocal cord mucosa, leading to damage and hoarseness. Use a humidifier indoors to maintain proper humidity, wear a mask when going outdoors, and avoid environments with dust or irritating gases.

3. Acute Laryngitis

An acute inflammation of the larynx caused by viral or bacterial infection leads to swollen and congested vocal cords, resulting in abnormal vibration during speech. Treatment may include cefradine capsules, ribavirin granules, and prednisone acetate tablets as prescribed by a doctor, along with nebulized inhalation therapy and complete voice rest.

4. Chronic Laryngitis

Prolonged inflammation or improper voice use can cause hyperplasia and thickening of the vocal cord mucosa, leading to long-lasting hoarseness. Medications such as Huangshi Xiangsheng Pills, Jinshang Sanjie Pills, or budesonide suspension for inhalation may be used under medical guidance. Maintain scientific voice usage habits.

5. Vocal Cord Polyps

Polyps form due to excessive vibration and overgrowth of the vocal cord mucosa, interfering with normal vocal cord closure and causing persistent hoarseness. Small polyps may be treated conservatively with medications like Jinsang Kaiyin Pills, Ganju Bingmei Tablets, or dexamethasone acetate tablets. If conservative treatment fails, surgical removal of the polyp under supportive laryngoscopy is required, followed by strict voice rest postoperatively.

In daily life, develop healthy voice-use habits: avoid speaking loudly for extended periods; maintain appropriate indoor humidity and clean air; eat a light, easily digestible diet and consume more throat-soothing foods; and undergo regular throat examinations to detect and address issues early.

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Will my voice return to normal after a cold causes hoarseness?

In general, whether hoarseness caused by a cold can recover depends on the specific situation. Hoarseness due to mild mucosal congestion usually resolves completely; however, if the vocal cords suffer severe damage or pathological changes, recovery becomes more difficult. Daily care should include adequate vocal rest, avoiding loud talking or singing. Drinking plenty of warm water helps keep the throat moist, while spicy or excessively hot foods should be avoided to prevent irritation.

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How to cure leukoplakia of the vocal cords

Complete eradication of vocal cord leukoplakia requires surgical removal of the lesion, control of risk factors, adjunctive medical therapy, regular follow-up monitoring, and improvement of voice use habits. Combining etiological intervention with standardized treatment can reduce the risks of recurrence and malignant transformation. If hoarseness persists for more than 2 weeks or a foreign body sensation in the throat occurs, prompt medical evaluation is recommended.

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What causes slight enlargement under the chin?

Thyroiditis: Factors such as autoimmune abnormalities and viral infections can damage thyroid tissue, leading to inflammation and enlargement of the thyroid gland. This may result in visible swelling under the chin, possibly accompanied by difficulty swallowing and hoarseness. Treatment may include levothyroxine sodium tablets, prednisone acetate tablets, and indomethacin enteric-coated tablets, as prescribed by a physician. Regular follow-up evaluations of thyroid function are recommended to monitor and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.