You use your voice everyday. It is an integral part of your communication for both work and social interactions. Therefore, it is important to keep your voice healthy. Your voice is produced as air passes from the lungs through the larynx. The air causes the vocal cords to vibrate and produce sound. Abnormal changes in the voice are usually referred to as hoarseness. Changes can affect pitch, range, volume or quality of the voice. Hoarseness can be the result of a variety of different things such as: problems with airflow, movement of the vocal cords and vibration of the vocal cords. 

The most common cause of hoarseness is a cold or flu, which can often cause hoarseness for up to two weeks due to swelling of the vocal cords. Other common causes of hoarseness include vocal abuse or misuse, acid reflux and vocal cord lesions. An otolaryngologist should evaluate hoarseness that lasts longer than two weeks, especially in smokers. Voice overuse alone can cause hoarseness. If you are on the phone or using your voice for work all day, make sure to give it a rest for 10 minutes every 2-3 hours. Avoid shouting or screaming, and control your volume when talking. 

The mainstay of treating voice disorders is proper vocal hygiene. Vocal hygiene starts with hydration. Hydration is important to keep the mucous thin over the vocal cords. The recommendation is at least six 8-ounce glasses of water per day. Caffeine intake causes dehydration and can negatively impact the vocal cords. Another common problem is throat clearing. This is traumatic to the vocal cords. It is very important to stop repeated throat clearing, which can be difficult to do. Many people don’t realize they clear their throat regularly as it has become habit. Low levels of acid reflux can affect the throat and vocal cords without any symptoms of heartburn. Acid reflux can be reduced by changing your diet and avoiding alcohol, fatty foods, chocolate,

caffeine, spicy and acidic foods, peppermint and carbonated beverages. Also, it is important to avoid lying down  less than three hours after eating. 

The most important thing you can do to protect your vocal cords is stop smoking. Smoking can cause permanent damage to the vocal cords and cancer of the voice box. Newer technology now allows us to better evaluate the voice and vocal cords in the office. There are now digital scopes and stroboscopy, which provide detailed examination of the vocal cord vibration and movement, both providing insight into function. This is far superior to older scopes that could only help see the vocal cords but not how they function. So today, with these new tools, it is much easier to evaluate voice problems, determine what may be causing hoarseness, and direct you on the best path to a healthy voice.

Dr. Abby Emdur is a board certified otolaryngologist/ear nose and throat surgeon at Longmont Clinic. She joined Longmont Clinic in September 2008. Dr. Emdur sees patients from her office in Longmont Clinic and also has an office in the Community Physician’s Pavilion located in Lafayette. She can be reached at 720.494.3120.