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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Intermittent Hoarseness And Respiratory Infection?

I have had intermittent hoarseness for just over a year. I can go several days with no problem, and then it reappears. It is better now than when it first started -- I am also on less asthma meds than I previously was. It is usually worse later in the day, tends to be worse at work and after talking. Sometimes I wonder if it could be my throat reacting to an allergen of mine. It started when I ended up in the hospital late September 2013 with severe asthma exacerbations. They are not sure what caused them -- it was possibly from a viral upper respiratory infection. I was hospitalized for 2 weeks and was on a high dose of oxygen for several days. It was very drying until they finally added some moisture. I did not need intubation. I was on numerous medications -- IV, oral and inhalers. I am guessing that I had over 100 nebulizer treatments. Before all this I was on one puff of Pulmicort per day and doing well -- no hoarseness. My current meds have been lowered to Advair 250 1x/day and Pulmicort 2 puffs 2x/day. I rinse and gargle with water after taking them. They thought it might be caused by the Advair, so I stopped it for 3 weeks, but there was no change. I am back on it again because my asthma started getting worse. Now they are thinking it could be silent acid reflux and they want me to try taking Nexium 40 mg to see if that helps. I was sent to an ENT 3 months ago because I had stridor on deep breaths in the upper airway. I thought he would also check into my hoarseness, but he didn t because the request from the Respirologist just asked him to look into the stridor and he said there was no cancer. For the hoarseness he gave me a sheet on lifestyle changes for silent acid reflux. He said if it persisted to come back and see him, but in the meantime my family Doctor prescribed Nexium. Is there a test that can confirm that it is silent acid reflux before taking more meds? To me it seems odd that if it was the acid reflux that it would start when I had all my asthma issues in the hospital. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.
Fri, 5 Dec 2014
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ENT Specialist 's  Response
Hi,

Welcome to HCM,

I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.

Your hoarseness could be due to

1. asthmatic cough
2. chronic usage of inhalers
3. acid reflux causing acid laryngitis.
4. voice abuse

some do's- check out for fungal infection, do steam inhalation, ask for oral medications, instead of inhalation al for few days, take combination like (pantoprazole + domeperidone for 4-6 week, do physiotherapy (lungs), absolute voice rest.

Hope, I have answered your query.

Wishing you good health.
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What Causes Intermittent Hoarseness And Respiratory Infection?

Hi, Welcome to HCM, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. Your hoarseness could be due to 1. asthmatic cough 2. chronic usage of inhalers 3. acid reflux causing acid laryngitis. 4. voice abuse some do s- check out for fungal infection, do steam inhalation, ask for oral medications, instead of inhalation al for few days, take combination like (pantoprazole + domeperidone for 4-6 week, do physiotherapy (lungs), absolute voice rest. Hope, I have answered your query. Wishing you good health.