It becomes much harder to engage in day to day interaction. It becomes a real struggle to run that meeting at work. Speaking with your family becomes a tiresome chore. Even ordering food for lunch turns into a challenge. All of this means it’s natural to begin counting down the days until your voice returns to normal.
But what do you do if your hoarse throat sticks around a little too long? When is it time to consult a specialist?
How Long Until it Heals?
Typically, a hoarse voice will heal itself over the period of a few days, particularly if you’re resting and there is no fundamental injury. Once more, depending on what’s inducing your raspy voice, if you overwork your vocal cords it will likely take a bit longer. How long it takes will depend on the individual.
However, in general, if your hoarseness is not better within a couple of weeks, you should schedule an appointment with us. You should also make an appointment if your hoarse throat has no apparent cause – if you didn’t strain your voice shouting or you’re not battling a severe cold.
How Can You Zero in on a Cause?
A hoarse throat can be brought on by the following:
- Overuse: You may be suffering from over-use of your vocal cords if you’ve been talking, shouting, or singing excessively. This could make your throat sore.
- Smoking: The use of tobacco products can cause a wide variety of issues with the larynx, including hoarseness, tightness, and discomfort. In these cases, it’s usually a wise idea to permit us to perform an exam to make certain there are no signs of smoking-related cancers.
- Laryngitis or other viral infections: Inflammation, due to an infection of the vocal cords, such as laryngitis, can result in a hoarse throat. A hoarse voice can also be brought on by viruses like influenza or by rhinoviruses (the common cold). Most of these infections operate slightly differently, though the results can feel similar.
This is not a comprehensive list.
When Should You Consult a Specialist?
The duration and the cause of your hoarse throat will be two of the most significant and key factors when determining whether or not to come see us. But both of those interdependent criteria present significant variables. As an example, laryngitis will bother your throat for weeks but a cold will only leave you hoarse for several days.
If any of the following applies to you, you should make an appointment:
- There’s blood when you cough.
- It’s been more than two weeks and your throat is still sore (this one is particularly accurate if you smoke).
- You experience pain when you talk or when you swallow.
- You’ve detected any lump on your neck.
- Your soar throat suddenly gets worse.
- You have no signs of the flu or a cold.
- Swallowing or breathing has become challenging.
What Takes Place When You See a Specialist?
Depending on what we find to be the root cause, your treatment will differ. If you have a cold, we might ask you to drink more fluids to help reduce the mucus and saliva irritating your throat.
More in-depth evaluations or treatments might be required for other causes. Behavior-related therapies like better use and rest of your vocal cords might be included in your treatment options.
Make an appointment for a personalized assessment and treatment if you feel like your sore throat has lingered too long or if you have any other doubts.