The larynx or voice box has two vocal cords, which are bands of muscle tissue that vibrate and produce sound. Any injury or damage to the vocal cords will affect your voice. According to the National Institutes of Health, disorders that can affect your voice include nodules, polyps, infections, acid reflux, cancer of the vocal cords and papilloma. According to the National Institute of Deafness and other Communication Disorders, 7.5 million people have voice disorders.
Infections
An infection of your voice box is called laryngitis. Acute laryngitis is a common disorder that affects your voice and makes it hoarse, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology. Laryngitis commonly occurs due to a viral infection. The treatment for this condition is to rest your voice and to stay well hydrated.
Vocal Nodules and Polyps
Nodules and polyps are non-cancerous growths or bumps seen on the vocal cords. They are most commonly seen in people who overuse their voice like singers, teachers and public speakers. These voice disorders will result in a rough, scratchy and hoarse voice. They are usually treated with voice therapy. To remove large or longstanding polyps and nodules, your doctor may suggest a surgery, according to the American Speech Language and Hearing Association.
Reflux Laryngitis
Voice problems can occur due to the backflow of stomach acid into the voice box area. The condition results in a hoarse voice, a lumpy feeling in the throat, a cough and frequent throat clearing in patients who have had acid reflux, according to the information website Voice problem.org. Medicines like antacids, which reduce the acid reflux, are commonly used for treatment. Making some simple lifestyle changes will help reduce the reflux. These include avoiding fatty and spicy food, not lying down immediately after dinner and to stop smoking.
Laryngeal Cancer
Cancerous growths can affect the vocal cords. The most common cause of cancer is smoking. Laryngeal cancer produces a persistently hoarse voice. If the condition is ignored, the cancer causes more damage to the larynx and grows into the deeper tissues. Treatments for cancer of the larynx will commonly include surgery or radiation.
Papilloma
These are wart like growths seen on the breathing passages and the voice box. The human papilloma virus is the causes this condition. According to the website VoiceProblem.org, these growths are seen in both children and adults. They can cause difficulty while breathing. Treatment will involve an operation to remove the growths and antiviral drugs, which can help stop the cycle of virus regrowth.
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