Persistent Hoarseness: When Should You See a Voice Specialist? We all experience a "lost voice" or raspiness during a heavy cold or after cheering at a concert. Usually, these symptoms vanish within a few days of rest. However, when hoarseness or a change in your voice persists for more than 3 weeks, it is no longer a simple irritation—it requires an ENT specialist evaluation. Changes in the voice can range from minor strain to more serious underlying conditions. This guide explains the common causes of voice disorders and what happens during a private voice assessment. What is Hoarseness? Hoarseness is an umbrella term for abnormal voice changes. Your voice may sound: Breathy or weak. Raspy or strained. Lower or higher in pitch than usual. "Husky" or consistently dry. These changes occur when something interferes with the vibration of the vocal cords (vocal folds) located in the larynx (voice box). Common Causes of Voice Disorders There are many reasons why your ...
What causes a cough in children? Coughing is a protective reflex of the body due to irritation of the airway. If the cough lasts more than 4-8 weeks or if after four weeks the cough is becoming worse, then it can be worrying. A persistent cough can affect the quality of the life of a child, including, schooling, sleep and appetite. Common causes of persistent cough could be allergy/hay fever, postnasal drip, large tonsil, gastro-oesophageal reflux or asthma. Rare causes include foreign body inhalation or psychogenic. Evolving evidence is dry cough on its own is rarely a symptom of asthma. What are two essential things to understand about chronic cough in a child? Causes of chronic cough are different from adults Management of chough in children if different from adults and parents and clinician need to understand this. What should I write dow...