Hoarseness That Keeps Coming and Going?

Updated on August 16, 2011
L.S. asks from Worcester, MA
10 answers

I have a 2 year old son that was hoarse about 2 months ago. It went away, came back, then kind of went away but not completely. When it was bad it was hard to hear him talk because it was so bad, then it was just with certain words you would hear the hoarseness. Now it came back again and it is bad again. He has no other symptoms..........no cold, no trouble swallowing, eating and playing fine, plenty of energy, etc...it doesn't seem to bother him, just me. My husband thinks I'm worrying for nothing, but at this point I don't know why it comes and goes. It will go away but then comes back. Anyone have this before? He yells and screams, but I didn't think anymore than a typical 2 year old.

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Featured Answers

K.J.

answers from Chicago on

I also agree that it is probably post-nasal drip.

At that age, however, my youngest brother had acid reflux (undiagnosed for a few years) and he ended up with a hoarse voice.

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R.M.

answers from Topeka on

Maybe allergies? Keep a food diary and see if you can see a connection. ANd I agree that a cool mist humidifier may be a good answer. If it persists, mention to you pediatrician at your next appt... he/she will have some good ideas I am sure

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I agree with the possibility of sinus issues. Running a cool mist humidifier at night in his room might help.

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R.K.

answers from Boston on

Hes 2, does he like to yell, screech, squeal, roar, etc? My 4 yr old goes hoarse off and on it's usually after roaring loudly frequently when pretending to be a dinosaur, the incredible hulk, a lion. When he was younger he'd go hoarse after experimenting with different volumes and deepness of his voice.

Given the time of the year it could be post nasal drip from allergies.

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

I have hoarseness that comes and goes and know it's from my sinuses draining into my throat. Mine is caused by environmental allergies. I use an antihistamine nasal spray. It's not a health issue, per se; just an annoyance.

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J.P.

answers from Chicago on

Hi Laur-

My dad was recently diagnosed with having a large nodule growing on his thyroid. This growth has caused him to have hoarseness in his speech for 3 months now. His speech gets really low at times and better at other times. However..... it has not gone back to his regular volume since it started so your son's story is different. Although... I wanted to share this link because it seems informative for children who have issues with hoarseness: http://www.pediatric-ent.com/learning/problems/vocalcord.... (It's just a hunch that it could be something with his vocal cords, so I thought I'd share. Maybe he's straining his vocal cords from yelling. BTW- The hoarseness in my dad's voice was the only issue... no pain, but we decided to have it looked at by a specialist because of the length of time and he's having surgery to remove the nodule soon. Good luck and I hope you find out what's causing his reoccuring hoarseness.

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C.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

go to an ENT. Sounds like a adnoid thing.

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N.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I know hoarseness is pretty common, and probably due to post-nasal drip or reflux, most of the mamas have said one or the other already. But I think I'd still make a call to his Ped's office and ask if they think he should be seen. Or maybe your insurance company has a phone line with a nurse to whom to direct questions & help you decide if the doc should see him. It's probably nothing, but since it comes & goes, and is sometimes bad, I'd check it out.

All the best to you,

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L.P.

answers from Pittsfield on

I agree that it would be good to have him checked for allergies/ post-nasal drip, but the 1st thing that came to mind was acid reflux, as QueenoftheCastle mentioned. Either way, it's worth checking out.

Here's some information you might find helpful (under "how do I know if I have LPR")

http://www.mwent.com/Pages/PatientServices/633.html

btw- if you google "hoarseness in children that comes and goes" virtually everything that comes up is about acid reflux.

Best wishes!! =o)

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S.H.

answers from Washington DC on

Has he been tested for acid reflux. My dad would have periods of going hoarse, and it was because of acid reflux.

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