Dr Amir Khan has shared a new video with his 550,000 Instagram followers, in which he explains why people often suffer from a hoarse voice after Christmas
The post-Christmas period can often leave us feeling a tad under the weather. Following weeks of overindulgence and celebrations, it’s not uncommon to kick off the new year feeling weary and unwell.
But according to ITV’s very own Dr Amir Khan, our vocal health can also take a hit during this season, resulting in a husky, strained voice.
For those who’ve noticed their voice sounding a bit rough around the edges lately, Dr Amir explains there are several straightforward reasons behind it. It’s important to monitor any symptoms carefully, he advises.
In an Instagram video, Dr Amir says: “So, firstly, why do people like me get hoarse? Well, our vocal cords are two bands of tissue that sit inside of our voice box here – that’s called the larynx.”
He explained how our speech mechanism works, saying: “When we speak, air from our lungs makes our vocal cords vibrate and create sound waves. Anything that effects these vocal cords or the larynx will make you sound hoarse, so here are five potential causes.”
The GP then lists the five typical causes for this condition:.
- Laryngitis – Dr Amir says this is the “most common” cause of the problem, and it can be down to allergies or an infection
- Overuse of your voice – if you’ve strained your vocal cords you may have a hoarse voice for a while afterwards
- Vocal nodules, cysts and polyps – Dr Amir said these are non-cancerous growths that can appear on vocal cords
- Neurological diseases and disorders – if you’ve had a stroke, or have a condition such as Parkinson’s disease, he said this can impact the part of your brain that controls the muscles in your larynx, which can lead to changes in your voice
- Cancers – he noted cancers, such as lung cancer and throat cancer, can cause hoarseness. If you’ve had an “unexplained hoarse voice” for three weeks or more then you should see a doctor
The video has gained more than 2,000 views, sparking a flurry of comments from viewers sharing their personal tales about dealing with a hoarse voice. One viewer said: “These little videos are excellent. Simple, easy. Thank you.”
Another added: “Top tips as usual Dr Amir. Such important points. I do get a hoarse voice most winter’s due to overuse of my voice and ENT issues also – my voice is usually husky.” A third shared a personal experience, saying: “My dad sadly lost his voice and he was diagnosed with lung cancer.”
Anyone concerned about a hoarse voice should see a medical professional.
