Voice and Throat Problems in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What are voice and throat disorders?
Your voice is made by two small vocal cords in the larynx, or voice box, which vibrate as air passes between them. Anything that swells, stiffens or irritates their edges changes the sound, which is why a small change in the cords can produce a large change in the voice. The throat around them also handles swallowing, so the same region explains symptoms as different as a croaky voice, constant throat clearing and food that feels as if it sticks.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, these problems are assessed by the ENT surgeon in the outpatient clinic. The common causes are voice overuse, irritation from acid reflux, infection, small growths on the cords such as nodules or polyps, and the effects of smoking. Most of these respond well to treatment once the cause is identified.
Who needs it
This service is for adults and older children with any of the following:
- A hoarse, husky, breathy or weak voice
- A voice that tires by the end of the day or cracks when you raise it
- Frequent throat clearing, a tickly cough or mucus that seems to sit in the throat
- A feeling of a lump or tightness in the throat
- Discomfort or effort when swallowing food or drink
People who rely on their voice for work are frequent visitors to the clinic: teachers, call-centre staff, sales staff, singers and those who lead prayers or recite, such as imams, whose voice is central to their role. For them, early assessment protects both the voice and the work that depends on it.
Your surgeon decides on treatment after looking at the cords. Voice rest, hydration and reflux treatment come first for most people. Voice therapy with a speech and language therapist is arranged by referral when voice habits are the main driver. Surgery on the cords is considered for growths that persist after these measures, and the reasons and alternatives are explained before any decision.
What happens
The appointment starts with questions about when the change began, how you use your voice, smoking, heartburn and swallowing. Your surgeon then examines your mouth, throat and neck.
The key step is a direct look at the vocal cords with a thin, flexible scope passed through the nose after a numbing spray. You breathe, speak and sometimes sing a note while the surgeon watches the cords move. This is described in detail on the laryngoscopy page.
Reflux affecting the throat, sometimes called silent reflux, is a frequent finding. Acid and stomach contents rise high enough to reach the voice box, often at night and often with little heartburn. The telltale sign is redness and swelling at the back of the larynx, visible on the scope.
Treatment depends on the cause:
- Voice strain: voice rest, good hydration and changes to how and how long you speak
- Reflux: meal timing, raising the head of the bed and medicines that reduce stomach acid
- Infection: rest, fluids and, where bacteria are the cause, targeted medicine
- Nodules or polyps: voice therapy by referral, with day-case surgery considered if they persist
If a swallowing problem needs further study, or the scope shows an area that needs a sample, your surgeon explains the next step, including head and neck cancer assessment where appropriate.
Preparing for it
Keep a short voice diary for a week: when the voice is worst, how many hours you speak, and any link to meals or lying down. Bring a list of your medicines, including inhalers, since some inhaled medicines irritate the cords. Singers and presenters can bring a recording of their usual voice for comparison.
Eat lightly before the appointment so the scope examination is comfortable. Tell the clinic if you take blood-thinning medicines. Insurance pre-approval is usually straightforward for a clinic visit, and the team can check it when you book.
Afterwards
Most people start voice care the same day. Sip water through the day, since air conditioning and the UAE heat dry the lining of the throat. Steam inhalation helps. Replace whispering with a gentle, quiet voice, because whispering strains the cords. For reflux, finish your evening meal a few hours before lying down; during Ramadan this means taking care with a heavy suhoor just before sleep.
Your surgeon usually plans a review with a repeat look at the cords to confirm improvement.
Contact the clinic if hoarseness lasts more than three weeks, especially if you smoke, or if you notice a lump in the neck, pain spreading to the ear, coughing up blood or weight loss.
Call emergency services or go to the emergency department straight away for difficulty breathing, noisy or high-pitched breathing, or an inability to swallow your own saliva.
Cost and insurance
Most UAE health insurance plans cover ENT consultation and vocal cord examination. Voice therapy by referral and any day-case surgery may need insurer pre-approval. The Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah team can confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
How long should hoarseness last before I see a doctor?
Hoarseness lasting more than three weeks should be assessed by an ENT specialist, particularly if you smoke. Most causes are benign, and a look at the vocal cords gives a clear answer.
Can acid reflux really cause hoarseness?
Yes, reflux affecting the throat is one of the most common causes of hoarseness, throat clearing and a lump-in-the-throat feeling. It often occurs without heartburn, which is why many people are surprised by the diagnosis.
What are the risks and limitations of treatment for voice problems?
The scope examination can cause brief gagging, a sneeze or a slight nosebleed, and the numbing spray leaves the throat numb for a short time, so eating and drinking wait until it wears off. Voice rest and reflux treatment take time and depend on keeping up the changes. Surgery on the vocal cords carries a risk of voice change, and growths can return if the underlying habit continues.
Is whispering better than talking when I have lost my voice?
Whispering is harder on the vocal cords than a quiet, relaxed voice. Speak gently and briefly, rest the voice when you can, and drink water regularly.
Is voice therapy available at Dar Al Kamal Hospital?
Voice therapy with a speech and language therapist is arranged by referral after your ENT assessment. Your surgeon explains why it is recommended and what it involves.
Why does my voice get worse in the UAE summer?
Long hours in air-conditioned rooms and the dry heat outdoors dry the lining of the throat, which makes the vocal cords work harder. Regular sips of water and steam inhalation help keep them moist.
Is a lump-in-the-throat feeling serious?
A persistent feeling of a lump in the throat is usually caused by reflux or muscle tension and is rarely serious. It should be examined if it persists, or promptly if you also have difficulty swallowing, weight loss or a lump you can feel in the neck.
Is a voice problem assessment covered by insurance?
Most UAE insurance plans cover ENT consultation and vocal cord examination. Voice therapy and surgery may need pre-approval, which Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can check on 06 599 7777.
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