A hoarse voice might be signs of a bigger problem

If you suffer from hoarseness, it might just be laryngitis. But it might be something more severe.

“The most common cause of hoarseness is laryngitis, but that should get better. If it persists, it should be evaluated,” said Dr. Donald T. Donovan, chair of the Bobby R. Alford Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine.

Donovan says that hoarseness is a symptom of a more serious condition called vocal cord paralysis, which typically requires surgery.

Learn more about persistent hoarseness:

And with school starting, teachers need to keep their vocal chords healthy. Try these tips.

Learn more about taking care of your voice.

-By Andy Phifer