What causes hoarseness in your voice?

Long list: The list for causes of hoarseness is long and varied and includes voice misuse and abuse, vocal nodules, papillomas and even cancer among others. If hoarseness has been present for more then 4 weeks, you should see a physician. If you are a smoker and have had hoarseness for more than 4 weeks, you should definitely see a physician for a good head and neck exam.

Many things: The vocal cords have an ideal structure and consistency. For an ideal voice the edges of the cords require nice healthy tissue that moves well when air passes between the closed cords. Anything that effects the cords or airflow through them can cause hoarseness. If you abuse your voice by screaming you can get swellings on the edges, if you have reflux the cords can swell. Colds can cause swelling.