Hoarseness of Voice (Buht-us- Saut)

Introduction

Hoarseness of Voice (Buht-us- Saut) or Dysphonia is an abnormal change in voice. It is a common condition that is often experienced in conjunction with a dry or scratchy throat. It is a condition in which voice becomes husky. If the voice is hoarse, it may have a weak, raspy or airy quality of voice that prevents from making smooth vocal sounds. In hoarseness the voice can also be described as rough, strained, breathy or gravely. This symptom commonly stems from an issue with the vocal cords and may involve an inflamed larynx (voice box). If anyone having persistent hoarseness lasting for more than 10 days, prompt medical attention is required, as it may have a serious underlying medical condition.

Hoarseness of Voice (Buht-us- Saut) or Dysphonia refers to having an abnormal voice. Changes to the voice can occur suddenly or gradually over time. In hoarseness of voice (Buht-us- Saut) or dysphonia, there may be voice breaks where the voice completely stops or cuts out or there may be pitch changes, either higher or lower. Sometimes the patient may have a complete loss of voice for a period of time as well. Even sometimes the patient will complain of pain with speaking or singing and difficulty in projecting the voice.

Most commonly, hoarseness of voice (Buht-us- Saut) or dysphonia is caused by an abnormality with the vocal cords but there can be other causes from problems with airflow, from the lungs or abnormalities with the structures of the throat near the vocal cords.

Common causes of Buht-us- Saut (Hoarseness of Voice)

As per Unani medicine philosophy, it is caused by allergic rhinitis (Nazla Har), Su-e- Mizaj Haar Sada (Simple hot morbid temperament)/ Su-e- Mizaj Baarid Sada (Simple cold morbid temperament)/ Su-e- Mizaj Ratab Sada (Simple wet morbid temperament)/ Su-e- Mizaj Yaabis Sada (Simple dry morbid temperament) of larynx and trachea, excessive and prolonged shouting, air pollution and disease of neighbouring organs of larynx etc.

Other common causes of Buht-us- Saut (Hoarseness of Voice)

As per modern medicine philosophy, hoarseness of voice (Buht-us- Saut) is typically caused by a viral infection in the upper respiratory tract. Other common factors that can cause, contribute to, or worsen your condition include:

Over use of vocal cords
Stomach acid reflux
Excess of talking/ singing/ shouting
Tobacco smoking and exposure to secondary smoking
Air pollution
Drinking caffeinated and alcoholic beverages
Screaming, prolonged singing, or otherwise overusing your vocal cords
Allergies
Inhaling toxic substances
Excessive coughing

A part from above mentioned causes, some less common causes of hoarseness of voice (Buht-us- Saut) include:

Throat, thyroid or lung cancer
Abnormal growths (Polyps ) on the vocal cords
Poorly functioning thyroid gland
Damage to the throat, such as from the insertion of a breathing tube
Thoracic aortic aneurysms (swelling of a portion of the aorta, the largest artery of the heart)
Male adolescence (when the voice deepens)
Nerve or muscle conditions that weaken the voice box function

Symptoms (A’lamaat)

Throat pain with loss of voice
Hoarse, dry throat
Sneezing with nasal congestion
Redness of throat with pain while swallowing
Constant tickling or minor throat irritation

Principles of Treatment (Usool-e- Ilaj)

To treat the catarrh (Izala-e- Nazla)
To normalize the temperament (Ta’deel-e- Mizaj)
To produce wetness (Tarteeb) in case of air pollution and dry morbid temperament (Su-e- Mizaj Yaabis)
Soothing of throat (Talyin-e- Halaq)

Paharmacotherapy (Ilaj Bil Dawa): The treatment for hoarseness of voice (Buht-us- Saut) depends on the underlying cause of disease.

Oral administration of decoction of Cordia latifolia Linn. (Sapistan) 9.5 gm., Althea officinalis Linn. (Khatmi) 9.5 gm. and Malva sylvestris Linn. (Khubbazi) 9.5 gm. mixed with sugar 10 gm.
Oral administration of decoction of Zingiber officinale Roscoe. (Zanjabeel) 9.5 gm. mixed with jaggery 17.5 gm. in morning.

Oral administration of lukewarm Plantago ovate Frosk. (Lu’ab-e- Aspghol) mixed with sugar in case of dry morbid temperament (Su-e- Mizaj Yaabis)

Oral administration of decoction of seeds of Althea officinalis Linn. (Tukhm-e- Khatmi) 4 gm. Glycyrhhiza glabra Linn. (Asl-us- Soos) 4 gm., and Zizyphus jujube Mill. & Lamk. (Unnab) 5 pieces mixed with sugar 12 gm.
Oral administration of lukewarm Plantago ovata Frosk. (Lu’ab-e- Aspghol) and Cydonia oblonga Mill. (Lu’ab-e- Behidana) with Sharbat-e- Banafsha.
Oral administration of Asafoetida (Hilteet) with lukewarm water.
Mastication of Piper cubeba Linn. (Kabab Chini).
Mastication of Alpinia galanga Willd. (Khulanjaan) in case of catarrh (Nazla) and wet morbid temperament (Su-e- Mizaj Ratab).
Gargle (Gharghara) with decoction of seed of Pimpnella anisum Linn. (Anisoon), Iris ensata Thunb. (Irsa) and Foeniculum vulgare Gaertn. (Baadiyan) mixed with jaggery.

Unani Compound drugs

Sharbat-e- Khashkhash
Sharbat-e- Toot Siyah
Sharbat-e- Faryaadras
Laóoq-e- Sapistan
Laóoq-e- Katan

Regimenal Therapy (Ilaj Bil Tadbeer)

Medicated bath (Hammam) in case of shouting

Dietary Recommendations

Aghziya Mugharriyah in case of dryness
Maa-ul- Shaír with almond oil if the cause is excessive shouting

Dietary Restriction

Aghziya Haamiza
Aghziya Maaliha
Aghziyah Hirreefa

Prevention/ Precaution (Tahaffuz)

Avoid alcohol consumption

Note: Unani drugs should be taken under the supervision and advice of the qualified Unani physician. The patients are required to follow strict Unani regimen for optimum results.

References