Even though it can recover on its own, you also need to know how to deal with lost voice because sometimes this condition can interfere with the smooth running of activities. Various ways to deal with lost voice can be done, including medical methods that are balanced with easy and practical home care.
Loss of voice is a symptom of laryngitis, which is inflammation of the larynx or voice box. This condition generally occurs as a result of a viral infection, such as the flu virus. In addition, loss of voice can also be caused by the habit of shouting, smoking, and consuming excessive alcoholic beverages.
Although not dangerous, loss of voice which is usually accompanied by itching and pain in the throat, hoarseness, and dry cough certainly causes discomfort. Therefore, how to deal with lost voice that is effective medically or with snacks at home needs to be done to get maximum results.
How to Overcome Lost Voice Medically
To treat voice loss medically, you can take the following medicines:
Corticosteroids
Inside the voice box, there are vocal cords that play a role in the sound production process. When laryngitis occurs, the vocal cords become inflamed and cause loss of voice.
Administering corticosteroid drugs is a way to deal with lost voice which is classified as effective because this drug can reduce inflammation of the vocal cords.
However, corticosteroids cannot be given carelessly. This drug is usually given to patients with certain conditions, for example children who suffer from croup or people who use their voice in their work.
Antibiotics
If your voice loss is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to restore your voice. However, how to deal with missing voice on this one is quite rare. This is because lost voice generally occurs as a result of a viral infection.
Pain medication
Painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, are often used to relieve sore throats that usually occur when the voice is lost.
In order for the treatment of lost voice to be more effective, administration of drugs can also be followed by speech therapy. This therapy aims to treat and reduce tension in the vocal cords.
How to Overcome Lost Sound at Home
In order for lost voice to recover quickly, there are various ways to deal with lost voice naturally that can be done to support medical treatment, namely:
- Drink lots of water, juice, tea, or warm broth to soothe irritated throats.
- Gargle with salt water to keep your throat moist and relieve throat irritation.
- Suck on lozenges to keep your throat moist.
- Talk less, especially speaking at a high volume or for long periods of time.
- Avoid whispering because it can hurt the vocal cords.
- Avoid consuming alcoholic and caffeinated drinks.
- Stay away from exposure to cigarette smoke, vehicle fumes, or dust in the room.
- Stop smoking habits, including electric cigarettes (vape), because they trigger coughing and exacerbate throat irritation.
- Stop taking drugs that cause a dry throat, such as decongestants.
Generally, lost voice will recover by itself within 1-2 weeks. However, if various ways to deal with lost voice have been done but the voice does not return within 2 weeks, even accompanied by pain and difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, fever, or coughing up blood, immediately consult a doctor.
Later, the doctor will conduct an examination and determine the treatment that suits your condition.