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What Causes Hoarse Voice While On Decongestants?

Posted on Thu, 23 Jun 2016

Question: My question is about my voice. For 5 months my voice gets very hoarse by mid afternoon. It was painful in the winter but now just gets very very raspy. I have recorded it and hear the difference morning to afternoon. I am a smoker (or was until until 2 weeks ago); I had and have nose problems throughout the winter which were diagnosed by family doctor as chronic sinus infection. This was incorrect as I had no low fever, no congestion, no sinus pressure but did have ears filling up and dry throat. He proscribed decongestants and nasal steroids. I do take drying medication, was under high stress, drank way too much coffee. ENT diagnosed no cancer or lesions in larynx and laryngitis with mild vocal fatigue two months ago. I still have nose issues but definitely no unusual post nasal drip. Can you think why I got this throat issue and why it is not getting significantly better?

Answered by Dr. Hariom Sharma (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Avoid gargling and over use of systemic nasal decongestant if you have

Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,
I have gone through your question and understand your concern and worry; most probably it suggest that change in voice is due to the over use of systemic nasal decongestant and salt gargling.

I would also like to suggest that maintain the vocal hygiene i.e. (drinks lot of water, humidify the environment, avoid gargling and avoid use of decongestant and allergy medicines as much as possible) and use mucolytic tablet such as acetylcysteine.

Continue the above mentioned instruction for at least 15 days after consulting with your ENT specialist.

If the condition is not improved, even after the 7 days then better to go for the stroboscopy test.

Regards
Dr Hariom Sharma MS, XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Hariom Sharma (4 hours later)

hi doctor thank you for your answer. The purpose of the mucolytic tablets is to break up mucous - is that correct. Also can you tell me what is a stroboscopy test.

Answered by Dr. Hariom Sharma (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, Mucolytic tablet is to break up the mucous.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,
I have gone through your follow up question and understand your concern and you are absolutely correct that mucolytic tablet is to break up the mucous.

I would like to inform that Stroboscopy is a painless diagnostic test of examination of a vibrating or fast moving object, such as the vocal folds. A bright flashing light lasting a fraction of a second (10µs) is used to illuminate the vocal folds. This flash 'freezes' the movement of the vibrating vocal folds.

Regards
Dr Hariom Sharma MS, XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Hariom Sharma (2 hours later)

Thank you. Will quitting smoking help. I have heard that smoking can irritate the vocal cords and dry out the throat.

Answered by Dr. Hariom Sharma (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, Quitting smoking will help.

Detailed Answer:
Hi Sir,
I have gone through your follow up query; and for your kind information quitting smoking will help you definitely.

Regards
Dr Hariom Sharma MS, XXXXXXX

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T