Should I Be Concerned About My Voice Changing?

Have you noticed a change in your voice lately? Your ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physicians in Carmel, IN, Dr. Robert Youkilis, Dr. Jeffrey Beach, and Dr. Seth Bruggers of Northside ENT can find out what has caused the voice change and recommend treatments if needed.

What causes voice changes?

A change in your voice can happen for many reasons, including:

• An Illness: Colds and other upper respiratory infections inflame and swell your vocal cords, making your voice sound hoarse or raspy. If you've been sick, you'll usually start to notice an improvement in your voice within a week or two.
• Yelling: Did you first notice the problem after you spent the afternoon cheering on your favorite team? Yelling can irritate your vocal cords, causing hoarseness.
• Post-Nasal Drip: Mucus dripping down the back of your throat while you sleep is another potential cause of a voice change. Post-nasal drip can be caused by allergies, colds, sinus infections or dust, fumes or other airborne irritants.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD): GERD happens when acids normally found in your stomach travel backward into the esophagus. The acid irritates the lining of the esophagus and the larynx (voice box), causing a raspy voice.
• Laryngitis: You may lose your voice or notice that you sound hoarse if your larynx becomes infected or inflamed due to a virus.
• Stress: In addition to headaches, stomachaches, and tight muscles, stress may also affect the way your voice sounds.
• Overuse: If you've been talking or singing much more than normal, you could be straining your vocal cords.
• Polyps or Cysts: Growths on your vocal cords could change your voice. Although cancer can be a possibility, most polyps and cysts are benign (non-cancerous).

Should you call the ENT?

It's a good idea to call the Carmel, IN, ENT office about a voice change if your voice doesn't go back to normal in three weeks. Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor can recommend helpful treatments that will improve your voice.

Are you concerned about a voice change? Call your Carmel, IN, ENTs, Dr. Youkilis, Dr. Beach, and Dr. Bruggers of Northside ENT at (317) 844-5656 to schedule your appointment.