We begin to appreciate such a gift of nature as speech only when, for some reason, our voice is lost. It is believed that the voice may disappear due to overstrain of the vocal cords. But this is only one of the few reasons why the voice disappears. Some of the reasons are really serious and require mandatory treatment. What can cause you to lose your voice? Which doctor should I contact? How to return and how to treat a lost voice? You will find the answers in our new article.
The ability to speak is one of the most important human abilities. This is a kind of second signaling system that animals or birds do not have. Our vocal apparatus performs a communicative function: with its help we can communicate with others, voice our thoughts, and share news. We take the speech process for granted. But only until the person lost his voice. At this moment, we are deprived of the opportunity to quickly and clearly convey information to another person.
This condition, such as loss of voice, has its own medical name - aphonia. It can be complete, when there is no voice at all, or partial, when a person can pronounce sounds in a whisper.
Voice loss can be a real problem, especially for those who make a living through their voice apparatus - singers, announcers, teachers, call center employees, etc. In this case, the task of quickly regaining the ability to speak and curing a lost voice becomes especially acute.
It is believed that the voice is lost due to loud screaming or overexertion of the vocal cords. But this is only one of the reasons. Answer the question: “What to do if your voice is lost?” It will be possible only after the real reason has been established. Only an otolaryngologist can diagnose and determine why the voice has disappeared. After a correctly established diagnosis, the doctor prescribes measures that will help restore the person’s ability to speak fully.
Why does my voice disappear? How to get your lost voice back quickly and effectively? How to treat a lost voice? We will answer all questions in our new article.
Causes of the condition
A person makes sounds using the air that passes through the vocal cords. These are folds of the mucous membrane and muscles with which you can close them into a gap. The ligaments vibrate, resulting in speech or singing.
When the ligaments become inflamed, they swell, which is why they cannot fully form a gap. As a result, the voice becomes hoarse or disappears completely.
Fatigue and overstrain of the ligaments also leads to voice problems. They turn red, pain occurs, and it becomes difficult to speak. Increased dryness in the throat prevents the cords from vibrating, causing the sound to become hoarse.
If there are tumors on the ligaments, the voice changes. This occurs due to incomplete closure of the folds into the gap, due to which the passage of air causes not a melodic sound, but wheezing.
Immunostimulants in the treatment of chronic laryngitis
During treatment, agents that activate the immune system are often used.
IRS® is a drug from the group of immunostimulants, containing bacterial lysates of the main pathogens of diseases of the upper respiratory tract. It is used in the complex treatment of chronic laryngitis, strengthening local immunity and increasing resistance to infections. IRS® is produced in the form of an aerosol, which makes the use of the medicine convenient even for children from three months5.
Once on the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract, IRS® helps destroy pathogenic microflora, strengthening defense mechanisms, directing the immune system to fight infectious agents. With the help of IRS® it is possible to reduce the number of colds and reduce the likelihood of complications. The immunostimulant helps stop the inflammatory process and prolong remission for a longer period6.
Possible diseases
In a healthy person, the ligaments can become tired if you talk too much. In this case, vocal peace will help you recover. But sometimes hoarseness occurs due to various diseases.
Pathologies in which there is hoarseness:
- laryngitis;
- ARVI;
- papillomas on the vocal cords;
- tuberculosis;
- neoplasms in the area of the vocal cords.
To find out what a person is sick with, you need to see a general practitioner for an initial consultation.
Self-medication
Self-medication often leads to complications that may require surgery. Traditional medicine can only complement therapy aimed at suppressing the parasite. Along with this, the patient is prescribed a diet. It consists of eliminating foods from the diet that irritate the mucous membrane. This list can include all salty, peppery and spicy dishes that are served hot.
You can restore your voice in the absence of an inflammatory process on your own. Plant extracts that have a sedative effect (valerian solution or motherwort decoction) will help relieve nervous tension.
In case of vocal cord dysfunction, for example, after a football match, their rehabilitation will be facilitated by raspberry or blackberry juice and eggnog with the addition of a tablespoon of cognac. After taking them, it is recommended to remain silent so as not to strain the ligaments. Speaking in a whisper is not recommended, as this puts additional stress on the muscles of the larynx, which can only worsen the situation. If talking cannot be completely avoided, you should speak more slowly than usual. All words must be pronounced clearly.
Diagnostics
It is not difficult to determine that an adult has a hoarse voice due to a cold or other condition. But it is not always possible to find out the reason for this on your own. The doctor looks at the throat and sees changes in it that an ordinary person would not notice through a mirror. If there is any doubt about the diagnosis, the patient is referred to an otolaryngologist or phoniatrist - a specialist in the voice apparatus.
The examination includes:
- general blood test - reveals the viral or bacterial nature of the disease;
- laryngoscopy - detailed examination of the ligaments using a laryngoscope;
- X-ray of the chest organs - if tuberculosis infection is suspected.
The patient goes to the doctor with the results of diagnostic procedures; you should not try to decipher them yourself. The specialist will select treatment and give recommendations on how to quickly restore your voice.
Read also: Why does a runny nose not go away?
Who to contact?
Diagnosis and therapy of the vocal apparatus is carried out by a doctor - an otorhinolaryngologist or an ENT doctor with a narrower focus - a phoniatrist, whose specialty is directly the pathology of the vocal cords.
There is no need to self-medicate and try to regain the ability to speak independently without visiting an ENT doctor, given the variety of causes that cause aphonia.
Only an ENT doctor can correctly determine what triggered the unpleasant symptom and effectively restore the lost voice.
At the initial appointment, the ENT doctor interviews the patient regarding complaints. If aphonia is caused by infectious diseases, the patient may experience other symptoms: sore throat, problems with swallowing, high fever, aching joints, etc. Then a direct examination of the larynx is performed - laryngoscopy. The patient may be referred to undergo laboratory blood tests, which will help confirm the course of the inflammatory process in the body. If neoplasms are detected, additional studies may be required - ultrasound, CT, biopsy.
Only after establishing the cause of aphonia, the ENT doctor determines a treatment regimen that will help restore the ability to speak.
Treatment
In case of hoarseness, vocal rest is required. You can't talk at all, especially in a whisper. Such speech strains the ligaments more than trying to speak loudly.
Recommendations for voice restoration:
- Drink plenty of warm drinks to moisturize the ligaments and remove toxins released by the cold pathogen.
- Herbal infusions - chamomile and thyme help reduce inflammation, and ginger tea relieves hoarseness.
- Humidifying the air prevents the ligaments from drying out, which speeds up the return to normal voice.
If hoarseness appears against the background of an acute respiratory viral infection, you can use drugs for symptomatic treatment. They will help you recover faster and regain the ability to speak normally.
Medicines:
- Antibiotics are necessary for acute laryngitis and high temperature from 38.5°C for longer than 3-5 days, as well as for tuberculosis infection.
- Anti-inflammatory sprays - Hexoral, Cameton and others reduce the severity of inflammation.
- Lozenges for resorption - Falimint, Strepsils and the like have an enveloping effect on the ligaments, relieving pain.
If you follow all the recommendations and follow the prescribed treatment, your voice can be restored in 3-4 days. Other remedies - cognac, raw eggs or hot beer - give a quick but temporary effect. It will last for an hour or two, after which the cords will feel even worse, and the voice may disappear completely.
Dear patients! Remember that only a qualified doctor can make an accurate diagnosis, determine the causes and nature of the disease, and prescribe effective treatment. You can make an appointment with our specialists or call a doctor at home by calling 8-(4822)-33-00-33
Be healthy and happy!
Is voice loss a symptom of an allergy or a viral infection?
05.10.2021
Loss of voice, or aphonia , is a symptom indicating a disorder in the vocal cords responsible for producing sounds . Aphonia often occurs with viral infections and allergies, but can also be a symptom of metabolic diseases and hormonal disorders. If voice loss persists for more than two weeks, you should contact an ENT specialist.
Loss of voice as a symptom of a viral infection
Loss of voice is one of the common symptoms of diseases of the middle respiratory system - inflammation of the larynx, trachea and others. A change in timbre or absence of sound is a consequence of improper functioning of the vocal cords lying between the upper and lower sections of the respiratory system.
It is a symptom of viral infections, most often caused by the parainfluenza virus , which primarily affects children during the fall season. Acute laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis are manifested by high fever, barking cough, shortness of breath, hoarseness, and then aphonia and increased shortness of breath when exhaling. Another pathogen that causes laryngitis and associated muteness is RSV viruses . When infected with this etiology, ailments from the upper respiratory tract, and not the lower ones, are of concern. In addition, aphonia can occur as a result of infection of the glottis with coronavirus , adeno- and rhinoviruses, as well as the Coxsackie measles virus. Laryngitis is very rarely of bacterial origin, but it is possible - it is caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and in the case of secondary infections - by bacteria from the streptococcus family - Streptococcus.
Self-limiting viral infections are difficult to treat. In modern medicine and pharmacy there are no drugs that would effectively defeat these pathogenic microbes, as is the case with the treatment of bacterial infections. Although there is no known drug that causes the disease, there are various types of pharmaceutical drugs that can alleviate the disease and sometimes even shorten its duration. Among them, glucocorticosteroids occupy an important place. Therapy also uses nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ibuprofen or benzydamine, and lozenges with propolis or other natural ingredients that moisturize the throat to restore the voice lost due to the disease.
Allergy noise
pharyngeal mucosa is no less important for allergic diseases, which can also cause loss of voice. This happens when, under the influence of allergens swelling appear in the larynx area - the body’s protective reactions. A swollen larynx impairs the function of the vocal cords, which are located in the very center of this organ. Allergic voice loss can be the result of allergies to foods (eggs, nuts, citrus fruits), inhalants (pollen, animal dander, house dust mites, mold) and be a side effect of certain medications.
Is aphonia a symptom of an allergy or a viral infection?
Although it is not easy to distinguish, since in both cases very similar symptoms are observed, in general, with viral infections, systemic symptoms appear (fever, chills, muscle pain, migraine, rhinitis, cough, aphonia, etc.), while with allergies, the symptoms rather local (rhinitis and lacrimation, cough and aphonia, rash and itching). Another sign may be the duration of the illness. Colds typically last about a week, while allergies last longer.
Other causes of voice loss
Viral infections and allergies are just two of the many causes of voice loss. Mention should also be made here of aphonia, which is part of the occupational disease of teachers, educators, actors, lawyers and everyone else whose working instrument is their own voice. Silence can be the result of overload of the vocal organ, as well as working with the voice in inappropriate hygienic conditions. Another, no less common cause of voice loss is mental problems. Trauma and severe chronic stress can manifest themselves in different ways, including making it impossible to speak.
Similarly, depression , anxiety disorders, and personality changes cause the larynx to sag, resulting in an inability to produce sounds . A decrease in voice occurs with metabolic and endocrine diseases. This may be a symptom of cancer , as well as other benign changes. Finally, it should be emphasized that all diseases that cause changes in the vocal apparatus are so dangerous that they carry the risk of airway obstruction, which is a real threat to life. Therefore, if you lose your voice, you should always consult a doctor . Especially when aphonia (or at least a change in voice timbre) lasts more than two weeks.
Published in Allergology Premium Clinic
Sore throat and lost voice: reasons
The success of recovery largely depends on the correct diagnosis. It is after a correct diagnosis that it becomes clear why a person has a sore throat, what caused the missing voice, and how to properly treat this condition.
Conventionally, all the reasons why the voice disappears and the throat hurts can be divided into two categories: mechanical and infectious.
The first category is associated with overstrain of the vocal apparatus. This affects people who are forced to talk a lot due to the nature of their profession. These are primarily singers, teachers, call center operators, guides, etc. The condition when the throat hurts and the voice disappears is not only physically unpleasant for such people, but also causes psychological discomfort: after all, a sick singer or announcer temporarily falls out of the work process .
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But voice function can disappear not only in professional singers or teachers. As soon as an unprepared person overstrains his ligaments, after some time his throat begins to hurt and his voice disappears. This could be due to loud screaming, attending a concert when you can’t help but sing along to your favorite performer, or a productive evening spent with friends at karaoke. Parents of babies often face a similar problem, whose heart-rending, long crying often ends with the child’s throat starting to hurt, and then the voice completely disappearing.
Vocal function may also be lost due to thermal or toxic effects on the larynx and pharynx, their mechanical damage or exposure to low temperatures.
But most often in practice we have to deal with infectious causes of these unpleasant symptoms.
I would like to talk about these reasons in more detail.
Take care of the bundles!
The risk group for laryngeal diseases primarily includes people in vocal professions - teachers, actors, call center employees, educators, lawyers, as well as employees employed in hazardous work, smokers.
To prevent the development of dangerous diseases, you need to follow a number of simple recommendations.
Treat your cold promptly. Untreated acute laryngitis, which occurs against the background of colds or infectious-inflammatory processes, often becomes chronic and can lead to the growth of benign and sometimes malignant tumors.
Article on the topic
“The peeve of loudmouths.” Phoniatrician on how to save your voice
Do not allow prolonged overstrain of the vocal cords; from time to time you need to give your voice the opportunity to rest. Therefore, if you have to talk a lot at work, try not to strain your voice at least at home.
Avoid foods and drinks that are too hot, spicy or sour. Such food leads to irritation and sometimes burns of the laryngeal mucosa.
Use household aerosols carefully. Spray them as far away from you as possible.
Don't smoke, don't abuse alcohol.
If possible, try to avoid being in smoky rooms. When working with hazardous substances, use respirators.
Be careful about your health. Don't neglect going to the doctor. Even such a natural process as teenage voice breakdown, which is also accompanied by long-term hoarseness, requires observation by an ENT specialist.
