Voice Of Reason

Have You Noticed Changes To The Way You Speak? Find Out What It Can Mean.

Have you noticed that your voice seems to have changed? Maybe it’s become raspy or sounds weaker than it used to.

Often, changes to the way you speak can be temporary and their causes can be obvious – perhaps you have a throat infection or a job that involves raising your voice, straining your vocal cords.

But problems with your voice can also be symptoms of serious health conditions.

It’s important to see your doctor if you have issues with your voice so the cause can be found. There are many possible reasons for a weak or hoarse voice:

AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS

Some diseases cause the immune system to mistakenly attack the body, which can inflame the vocal cords, causing hoarseness. This can be severe, such as in the case of Sjogren’s syndrome, which also damages the glands that produce tears and saliva, drying out the mouth and throat. Other autoimmune illnesses associated with hoarseness include rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and lupus.

NERVE DAMAGE

Damage to the nerves that control the vocal cords can make your voice sound weak and breathless. These injuries can result from surgery to nearby areas, such as the thyroid gland.