HOARSENESS OR LOSS OF VOICE 105
Do you smoke, or have you smoked in the past?
Yes
No
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR Heavy smoking over a long period of time can result in laryngitis.
• If you smoke, stop.
• Rest your voice as much as possible.
Another possibility is cancer of the larynx, which is more common in regular smokers.
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR Hypothyroidism( underactivity of the thyroid gland) can cause a husky voice.
ACTION
TRY SELF-HELP MEASURES Excessive use of the voice can inflame the vocal cords.
• If you smoke, stop.
• Try inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water( p. 165) to relieve your hoarseness.
• Rest your voice as much as possible.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR if your voice is no better within 2 days or if any other symptoms develop.
Did either of the following apply before the onset of hoarseness?
You inhaled dust, chemical fumes, or smoke from a fire
You spent time in a smoky atmosphere
Neither
ACTION
CALL YOUR DOCTOR NOW Breathing in dust, fumes, or smoke can inflame the airways.
ACTION
TRY SELF-HELP MEASURES Being in a smoky atmosphere can inflame the vocal cords.
• If you smoke, stop.
• Try inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water( p. 165) to relieve your hoarseness.
• Rest your voice as much as possible.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR if your voice is no better within 2 days or if any other symptoms develop.
Do you have any of the following?
Fatigue
Increased skin dryness or roughness
Feeling the cold more than you used to
Unexplained weight gain
General hair thinning
None of the above
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR if you cannot identify a possible cause for your hoarseness or loss of voice from this chart.