Hoarseness/Dysphonia in Adults

Hoarseness/Dysphonia in Adults

The medical term for hoarseness is dysphonia, which refers to a change in vocal quality. Patients may describe their voice as rougher, breathier, with alterations in tone or intensity. It can also manifest as vocal instability or trembling, or as easy fatigue when speaking.

There are a set of care recommendations that can and should be considered in a first approach to try to improve vocal quality, namely:

- Quitting smoking;

- Vocal rest;

- Avoiding speaking loudly and for long periods;

- Avoiding speaking in noisy places;

- Hydration of at least 1.5 - 2 liters per day, unless there are medical contraindications to doing so.

If hoarseness persists for more than two weeks, you should consult your Otolaryngologist. During the consultation, a thorough evaluation of the entire upper respiratory tract can be performed. Only through an analysis of the function and anatomy of the laryngeal structures, which include the vocal cords, can a diagnosis be made and a treatment plan established.