Frequently Asked Questions About Hoarseness

2. Can smoking make me permanently hoarse?

Many people associate smoking with lung cancer and breathing issues. It makes sense, then, that smokers can develop deep, hoarse voices. In many cases, smokers tend to associate this effect with the habit of smoking and do not think it is serious. Whether you smoke or not, however, if hoarseness lingers for a week or more, it is time to talk to your doctor. Reinke's edema, caused by increased fluid in the upper layer of the vocal folds, could be the cause of the hoarseness. Additional symptoms like shortness of breath and visible swelling can be signs of vocal chord cancer. The best remedy for any of these issues is to quit smoking and hope any damage is reversible.

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