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Suggest Treatment For Hoarseness While Having Cold And Post Nasal Drip

Posted on Mon, 11 Jul 2016

Question: My partner has had a croaky voice for 2 weeks and has had trouble speaking fluently. In the past he has suffered from Post Nasal Drip and was prescribed nasal spray, that was 2 years ago. He also tends to cough quite a lot in the Autumn. It is summer in my country now, and has been quite humid recently. Do you have any suggestions?

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
things to try

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question,
It could be coming from allergies and postnasal drip. It can also be caused by overuse of the voice or by reflux of stomach acid.
Make sure he is staying well hydrated.
Have him try nasal saline 5-6 times a day and an antihistamine once a day. He should use a non-sedating antihistamine like loratadine.
If he has heartburn and you think it could be reflux then he should try an acid blocker like omeprazole.
If none of this works then he should see his GP. If he develops fever, chills or severe cough then it may be an infection and he should see his GP right away.
Regards
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (26 minutes later)

Hi Doctor,

Thanks for your Answer. We seem to think it could be caused by allergies and postnasal drip. I am making sure he is well hydrated. My partner doesn't seem to think it is caused by reflux of stomach acid.

Do you think something like Pirinase Nasal Spray would work to begin with for a few weeks or do you think he should start straight away on the nasal saline and an antihistamine instead of Pirinase?

I have to use Pirinase for my own allergies, plus an antihistamine. I used Loratadine but it didn't work for me so I now take Cetirizine Hydrochloride which can cause drowsiness and vision problems. So any further advice would be welcome.

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Pirinase is a steroid

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for the follow up.
It is true that all antihistamines do not work for everyone. So he should find one that works for him.
Steroid nasal sprays can cause nasal pain and bleeding in some patients but if he has used it before then it would be fine to start it.
If he wants relief as soon as possible then he could use the pirinase once or twice a day, nasal saline several times a day and an antihistamine. Then when he is under control he could delete them one at a time.
Let me know if you have other questions.
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (1 hour later)

Thanks Doctor,

I will let my partner decide what he would like to do. Hopefully what ever he uses will only need to be short term, so we'll see how he goes from day to day.

Thanks again for your advice.

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
you are welcome

Detailed Answer:
I hope he gets some relief soon
Dr. Robinson

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar