What if your habit of coughing dryly creates calluses on your vocal cords and makes your voice hoarse?

If hoarseness persists for more than two weeks, it's important to investigate the cause of your vocal cords. This could be a vocal disorder, such as nodules or polyps. It's most common in vocally demanding professions like singing and teaching, but it can also be caused by vocal misuse, like singing high notes at karaoke bars. Treatments vary depending on the condition, so an accurate diagnosis is crucial.

◇Continuing to sing high notes can lead to vocal nodules, and using your voice incorrectly can increase the risk of vocal polyps.

Vocal nodules are "calluses" that form on the throat. Calluses develop when the vocal cords are repeatedly strained to produce high notes. Several days of vocal rest are required to remove the calluses, but without this rest, the nodules will progress, leading to a hoarse voice. Women are more likely to suffer from them than men.

Vocal polyps are 'polyps (bulbs)' that are caused by incorrect vocalization. When the small blood vessels or tissues of the vocal cords are damaged by excessive vocalization, the cysts form, resulting in a hoarse voice, similar to vocal nodules. Professor Kim Soo-il and Professor Kim Soo-il of the Department of Otolaryngology at Kangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital said, "Vocal polyps are a disease that can occur when the vocal cords are stimulated after shouting loudly or coughing continuously, even if the throat is not used frequently." "On the other hand, vocal nodules are a disease that is likely to occur with continuous use of the throat, and since many occupations use the voice frequently, we can see a higher number of patients."

The vocal cords are difficult to observe with the naked eye. For a detailed diagnosis of voice disorders, a laryngoscope is used through the mouth or nose. To more accurately diagnose vocal nodules, a device such as a stroboscope, which allows continuous movement of the vocal cords, is used to closely observe the movement of the vocal cord mucosa. Vocal nodules typically occur on both vocal cords, while vocal polyps often occur on only one vocal cord.

◇Voice correction is necessary for treatment… Most children require voice therapy.

Vocal nodules and polyps are often caused by incorrect vocal technique, so vocal correction is paramount. First, voice therapy, including correcting vocal habits, is performed with a speech therapist. Professor Kim Soo-il stated, "Children's vocal cords are constantly growing, so surgery on the vocal cord mucosa is essential to minimize damage. Most cases tend to improve with voice therapy and vocal rest." He added, "We perform laryngeal microsurgery only for lesions that do not respond to voice therapy."

Laryngeal microsurgery is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia, where a laryngoscope is inserted into the mouth to observe the vocal cords and remove lesions under a microscope. The duration of the surgery varies depending on the underlying condition, but most procedures take less than 30 minutes. After surgery, it's important to refrain from vocalization for about a week, if possible, and avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and coffee to allow the surgical site to heal completely. Careful attention should also be paid to vocalization for one to two weeks thereafter.

The fundamental cause of vocal cord disorders is irritation of the vocal cord mucosa. The most common cause is vocal misuse. Therefore, it's best to avoid habits that can strain your vocal cords as much as possible. If your voice feels hoarse after speaking for a long time, it's best to take a break immediately. Professor Kim Soo-il said, "If you frequently experience hoarseness, you need to examine your vocal habits." He added, "Typical examples include coughing, shouting or screaming, and using extremely high or low notes."

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If your hoarse voice persists for 1-2 weeks,

I guess I should go to the hospital right away.

I do feel a bit like that in the afternoon when I'm tired.

He came right back