While most individuals will experience a change in their voice at some point in their lifetime it is important to monitor the situation instead of dismissing it as nothing. Many throat and neck disorders have similar symptoms. This is why at the first sign of trouble you should schedule an appointment with an experienced physician at David & Eldredge.
Contact our office at 337-266-9820 to schedule an appointment.
Reflux
Reflux occurs when acid from your stomach moves up into your esophagus. This occurs when the muscle at the entrance to your stomach, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), does not close all the way. Smoking, being overweight, eating spicy or fatty foods and drinking alcohol or carbonated beverages can all contribute to the development of this condition. The most common symptoms of reflux are heartburn, a burning pain in your abdomen or throat, and regurgitation, which results in a bitter tasting acid in your mouth. Bloating, burping, hiccups and nausea are also common symptoms. Those whose symptoms do not respond well to medication or who experience symptoms more than two times a week should seek medical attention.
Laryngitis
Laryngitis is the inflammation of your larynx, or voice box, commonly caused by overuse, irritation or infection. Within the larynx are your two vocal cords. If they become irritated the swelling will cause your voice to become distorted. Besides hoarseness and a weak voice, some experience a sore throat and dry cough. While many can see improvements through resting their voice and drinking plenty of fluids you should consult a doctor if your symptoms last more than two weeks.
Aphasia
Aphasia is a condition that occurs after a stroke or head injury that prevents you from communicating, often affecting your ability to speak, write and understand both verbal and written language. Speech and language therapy is used to help those with this condition recover their language skills. While this is a slow process, most make significant process with this treatment. Clinical studies are currently being conducted to look at the benefits drugs can have to improve blood flow to the brain, helping patients’ brains recover abilities that may have been lost.