Don’t dismiss hoarseness — it may be caused by serious underlying conditions.
Stating that hoarseness can develop due to many different causes ranging from simple upper respiratory tract infections to serious diseases, ENT Specialist Op. Dr. Nimet Özalp Devseren emphasized that long-lasting complaints must definitely be evaluated by a specialist physician.
Pointing out that hoarseness in children most commonly occurs as a result of upper respiratory tract infections, frequent crying, shouting, and improper voice use, Op. Dr. Nimet Özalp Devseren, ENT Specialist at Private Ento Ear, Nose and Throat Surgical Medical Center, stated that illnesses such as influenza, common cold, and laryngitis—especially common among preschool and school-age children—can cause temporary edema of the vocal cords, leading to hoarseness.
“Hoarseness in children usually resolves in a short time. However, if it lasts longer than one week, a consultation with an ear, nose and throat specialist is absolutely necessary,” she said.
Devseren noted that the causes of hoarseness in adults are more diverse, stating that prolonged and loud speaking, smoking and alcohol consumption, reflux disease, professional voice use, thyroid disorders, and vocal cord nodules are among the most common factors. She also warned that long-lasting hoarseness in smokers may be a sign of serious conditions such as laryngeal cancer.
THE FIRST STEP IS IDENTIFYING THE CAUSE
Emphasizing that the first step in treating hoarseness is accurately determining the underlying cause, Devseren said that medication and voice rest are often sufficient in infection-related cases. In hoarseness caused by reflux, dietary changes and gastric protective treatments are applied.
Devseren explained that in patients diagnosed with vocal cord nodules, polyps, or structural abnormalities, voice therapy and, when necessary, surgical treatment may be considered. She noted that surgery is generally recommended for cases that do not improve with medication and voice therapy.
“Using the microlaryngoscopy method performed under a microscope through the mouth, a mucosal incision is made. Thanks to advances in technology, only the problematic tissue is precisely removed. As a result, patients can return to their daily lives in a short time, and a significant improvement in voice quality is achieved,” she said.
IF IT LASTS LONGER THAN THREE WEEKS, BE CAUTIOUS
Devseren emphasized that the postoperative period is just as important as the surgery itself, stating that complete voice rest is recommended for a certain period after surgery, followed by voice therapy aimed at teaching proper voice use during recovery. She strongly underlined that if hoarseness lasts longer than three weeks or is accompanied by difficulty swallowing, sore throat, or shortness of breath, an ear, nose and throat specialist should be consulted without delay.
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