Hoarseness refers to a difficulty making sounds when trying to
speak. Vocal sounds may be weak, breathy, scratchy, or husky,
and the pitch or quality of the voice may change. Voice strain;
Dysphonia; Loss of voice Hoarseness is most often caused by a
problem with the vocal cords, which are part of your voice box
(larynx) in the throat.When the vocal cords become inflamed or
infected, they swell. This can cause hoarseness. The most common
cause of hoarseness is a cold or sinus infection, which usually
goes away on its own within 2 weeks. Another rare, but serious
cause of hoarseness that does not go away in a few weeks is
cancer of the voice box. Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et
al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. St Louis,
Mo; Mosby; 2010. Feierabend RH, Malik SN. Hoarseness in adults.
Am Fam Physician. 2009;80(4)363-370. Schwartz SR, Cohen SM,
Dailey SH. Clinical practice guideline: Hoarseness
(Dysphonia).Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. 2009;141
(3S2)S1-S31. Seth Schwartz, MD, MP