What’s Going On in Your Body When You Lose Your Voice?

such as a history of smoking a history of cancer or other health concerns should prompt an evaluation for hoarseness that lingers beyond two to four weeks.
Heres what to do in the meantime
While there is no quick fix to help get your voice back Dr. Milstein offers these tips to soothe inflamed vocal cords
Rest. Aim to rest your voice as much as possible. Talk quietly and only talk half as much as you ordinarily would or less if possible Seek out quiet. Avoid loud environments. They can often force you to talk more loudly or with greater effort than usual Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Avoid dehydrating beverages such as alcohol and those that contain caffeine Use a humidifier. This will help keep the air you breathe moist which can help soothe inflamed vocal cords Medicate. Try an overthecounter medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. This can help ease discomfort and vocal cord inflammation.
If your hoarseness persists for longer than two weeks to a month talk with your doctor. They may suggest a laryngoscopy a procedure that will offer a better view of your larynx.
Our ability to better visualize your larynx can help us more quickly diagnose something that might need surgical management or medication Dr. Milstein says.
Some experts recommend visualization of the vocal cords before beginning prescription medications such as antireflux medications steroids or antibiotics.
The bottom line? Most of the time your laryngitis will resolve itself in a week or two with no lasting effects. But if the problem lingers on toward a month its a good idea to get checked by a otolaryngologist ear nose and throat doctor to make sure there isnt something serious at work.