Hoarseness (dysphonia) refers to a voice disorder. If one is hoarse, one can often only whisper, the voice sounds rough and occupied. The voice disorder occurs as a symptom in a variety of illnesses and in some cases can even lead to temporary complete loss of voice.
Among the diseases in which hoarseness occurs are harmless colds and laryngitis, overstraining of the voice but also serious diseases such as cancer of the throat. If one is hoarse after an operation, this is often due to intubation, i.e. the insertion of a breathing tube into the windpipe. The breathing tube (tube) can damage the vocal cords, which may lead to hoarseness. As a symptom of a cold or hoarseness caused by overstraining the voice, no special therapy is normally required; it often disappears on its own after a few days. Only in the case of long-lasting hoarseness or if other symptoms such as shortness of breath, fever or difficulty swallowing occur additionally, should medication therapy be considered.
Active ingredients
Medications for hoarseness do not combat the symptom, but the underlying disease. There are therefore several active ingredients with which hoarseness can be treated. If hoarseness is caused by a cold, it is often accompanied by sore throat and rhinitis.
Active ingredients from the menthol group help to counteract these viral (caused by viruses) symptoms. Menthol is a substance that occurs naturally in the essential oil of peppermint and gives the plant its fresh, sharp taste. Other plants such as basil, thyme, sage or rosemary also contain menthols.
All these plants relieve the symptoms of viral hoarseness by making it easier to breathe again due to their cooling effect. They therefore also have a liberating effect when the bronchial tubes become clogged with mucus during a cold. Menthol is found in many cold medicines and remedies especially for hoarseness.
An example of such a drug is Neo Angin®, which is sold in pharmacies as lozenges in various flavors. Bronchicum® with menthol from the thyme plant is available as juice and pastilles for sucking, Menosan® Salvia contains the menthol from the sage. Sage preparations are available as drops, juice, teas or sweets in stores.
Another active ingredient used to treat hoarseness is benzocaine, a local anesthetic. When this drug is used, the treatment of sore throat for hoarseness is the main focus. The local anaesthetic reduces pain when used in the mouth/throat area and thus counteracts hoarseness and the urge to cough.
Benzocaine is contained in Dorithricin Throat Tablets® or Dolo Dobendan®. Both drugs can be purchased as lozenges. If coughing with stuck mucus is added to hoarseness caused by a cold, the active ingredient Ambroxol can bring about an improvement.
Ambroxol is a cough-relieving substance which is primarily used for bronchial illnesses. By stimulating the glands in the respiratory tract, the tough, stuck mucus is diluted and can be properly removed. At the same time the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract are properly moistened again.
Ambroxol is contained in Mucoangin®. This medication for hoarseness can be purchased in pharmacies as lozenges in various flavors. Icelandic moss, from the field of herbal medicine, is also a commonly used remedy for hoarseness.
Icelandic moss contains various bitter substances as well as vitamins. The plant relieves cough irritation, i.e. it counteracts the development of hoarseness by preventing coughing and clearing throat. The vocal chords are protected.
It also relieves inflammation in the mouth and throat area. Icelandic moss is contained in the most diverse preparations. Isla Moos®, Aspecton Hustenstiller® or isla med® are just a few examples of the wide range of drugs available.
Medicines against hoarseness with Icelandic moss are available as juice, as lozenges or even as teas and sweets not only in pharmacies but often also in health food stores or drugstores. However, Icelandic moss is not the only active ingredient from herbal medicine used to treat hoarseness. Extracts from the eucalyptus plant have a cooling and soothing effect in combination with menthol; sold as candy, they stimulate the moistening of the mucous membranes in the mouth.Hoarseness that is not caused by viruses, but by bacteria or inflammation requires a different treatment.
Of course, antibiotics are used for bacterial infections. These combat the pathogens in the mouth and throat area and thus ensure that the symptom of hoarseness subsides. Hexetidine, an antiseptic that slows down the growth of bacteria and fungi, can also be used as a spray or solution as a medication against hoarseness.
Hexoral®-Spray contains Hexetidine and is sprayed into the oral cavity, Doreperol® is used as mouthwash. Another drug against hoarseness is Emser Salz®. This salt is produced by evaporating thermal water and is unusually rich in minerals and trace elements.
It is said to have mucolytic and anti-inflammatory effects. For colds with hoarseness, it is either used as a rinsing solution in the nose or sucked in the form of pastilles. Emser Salz® soothes hoarseness primarily by moisturizing the mucous membranes. When sucking Emser® lozenges, more saliva is produced in the mouth, the mucous membrane is better moistened and speaking becomes easier again.
