Beware of hoarseness lasting longer than 15 days!

On 16 April World Voice Health Day, ENT Diseases and Head and Neck Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Zeynep Alkan, provided information about voice health, voice hygiene, and voice aesthetics, and explained the symptoms and treatment methods of voice problems. Prof. Dr. Zeynep Alkan stated, "Voice problems caused by diseases such as colds, flu, reflux, allergies, and improper use are temporary and can be treated. The main problem is to delay the diagnosis of a potentially serious disease by attributing hoarseness to other causes. For this reason, a physician should be consulted in hoarseness lasting longer than 15 days."

Speaking about the importance of voice health on World Voice Day, which is celebrated by ear, nose, throat, head, and neck surgeons and other voice health professionals all over the world on 16 April every year, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Zeynep Alkan made remarkable statements about voice health, voice hygiene, and voice aesthetics. She explained temporary and permanent voice problems, their symptoms, and treatment methods.

Stating that the most important aspect of communication is voice, Yeditepe University Kosuyolu Hospital Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Zeynep Alkan added the following: "Our voice is very important in expressing ourselves, our emotions and convincing the other people. When our voice is not good, our self-confidence decreases, and we become withdrawn. In addition, our voice is extremely important from our communication with our children at home to our career life. Therefore, the most important aspect of communication is voice."

Can Cause Permanent Voice Problems

Noting that the person may encounter some problems related to voice throughout his/her life, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Alkan explained the following about the factors that may cause this situation: "Respiratory tract infections are the most important of these. In diseases such as colds and flu, the voice sounds thicker due to vocal cord inflammation, which we call laryngitis. When edema and infection in the upper respiratory tract disappear, voice problems disappear spontaneously. However, sometimes there may be permanent voice problems that we cannot treat. First of these are the problems related to the misuse of the voice. In addition, problems related to the larynx such as nodules, polyps, commonly known as vocal cord flesh, and congenital clefts on the vocal cord, which we call sulcus, or vocal cord paralysis can also cause voice problems. In fact, not only problems in the larynx, thyroid gland surgeries, masses in the thyroid gland, problems in the brain or neck can also affect the nerve to the vocal cord and disrupt the quality of the voice."

Stating that lung diseases are among the factors that cause voice problems, Prof. Dr. Zeynep Alkan continued her words as follows "Lung diseases can also be among the factors that cause voice problems. People with chronic lung diseases such as asthma may also have voice problems. Because the sound does not only come out of the larynx. The power source in the actual formation of the sound is the lungs. That is why we always say, 'take abdominal breaths using your diaphragm'.

Beware of Sizzling and Faintness in Sound

Providing information about the symptoms of voice disorder, Prof. Dr. Alkan stated, "Patients apply with the complaints of 'there is a sizzle, faintness, hoarseness in my voice'. This situation can usually be noticed by those around them. In this case, voice examination is performed with the help of devices that we call stroboscopes, which show the fluctuation, or equipment that measures the frequency and intensity of the sound, which we call voice analysis. Thus, the problems that make the patient's old comfortable voice uncomfortable are revealed. Sometimes, although the vocal cords are normal, the voice may sound bad due to improper use of the voice. At this point, we learn the behavior of the voice and follow a course accordingly. Sometimes the voice therapist can also be involved in the treatment process."

Drink Plenty of Water for Sound Hygiene

Pointing out the importance of ensuring sound hygiene, Prof. Dr. Alkan stated, "Sound hygiene can be achieved by using the voice clean, consuming foods that are good for the voice, avoiding chemical irritants that are harmful to the voice, the most well-known of which is smoking. Likewise, environmental pollution, and trying to use the voice in unsuitable working environments are among the negative factors. The most important issue is the correct use of water. Liquids such as tea, coffee, and fruit juice, which contain water, do not replace the water in any way. However, it should not be forgotten that foods that may cause problems in the stomach will also affect sound health."

It is Possible to Maintain Voice Aesthetics

"Just as the dress fits the person's body, the voice should fit the gender, profession, and age of the person. Sometimes, when there is this incompatibility, surgeries such as voice thinning and voice thickening, which we call voice aesthetics, are performed," stated Yeditepe University Kosuyolu Hospital ENT Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Zeynep Alkan. She also provided the following information about voice aesthetic surgeries:

"The vocal cords are operated with cold surgery methods or various hot instruments called laser by entering through the mouth without any external incision. Another method is to reach the larynx where the vocal cord sits with an incision made on the neck from the outside, not from the inside. Here, by releasing the cartilage to which the vocal cord adheres, the length of the vocal cord is shortened or lengthened."