Hoarse Voice

Voice box, throat or reflux?

Hoarseness starts in the voice box (larynx). When it is inflamed, as in laryngitis, your vocal cords swell and can't vibrate properly, so your voice sounds rough or scratchy, or disappears. A sore throat (pharyngitis) is inflammation at the back of the throat and hurts most when you swallow. The two often arrive together with a cold or flu, and a hoarse voice can linger for up to a week after other symptoms settle. Reflux can also cause hoarseness, sometimes with a night-time cough or a feeling of a lump in your throat: see acid reflux.

What to skip, and when to get checked

Nasal decongestants can make your throat drier, so they are best avoided, and antibiotics won't help a viral infection. See your GP if hoarseness lasts more than 10 to 14 days, keeps coming back, or comes with trouble breathing or swollen glands. Laryngitis lasting longer than 3 weeks is considered chronic and can be linked to smoking, alcohol, irritants such as fumes, or growths on the vocal cords. A hoarse voice can also be a symptom of throat cancer, and smoking and drinking alcohol, especially together, raise that risk, so if you smoke, don't put off a check. Quitline (13 7848) can help you quit.

Sources: healthdirect — Laryngitis; healthdirect — Sore throat (pharyngitis); healthdirect — GORD (reflux); healthdirect — Throat cancer