This feeling can be the result of us being sick with a cold, which will go away with no worries. Or unhealthy vocal muscle function can cause this feeling.
When the voice is functioning properly, there should be no feel of rasp or hoarseness or loss of voice, with a whisper all available.
If we feel this way for a while, and suspect we have been violating the laws of physics as they relate to the voice, then it is possible there are deeper issues, such as vocal nodules, that have developed. Go see an ENT and have a video made of the moving cords. If there is something like a nodule present, then vocal rehabilitation done through appropriate vocal exercises can heal the issue without surgery. Surgery should only be done as an absolute last resort, or if the issue is something like cancer, which needs to be removed and possibly treated with chemo or radiation.
Otherwise, vocal exercises can solve many issues if the exercises are created and applied to meet the rehabilitation needs of the student. Of course, this requires the teacher to have extensive knowledge of functional vocal mechanics, as well as this correct work being done consistently and with patience on the part of both student and teacher.