Voice problems are typically associated with hoarseness instability or decreased endurance. If your voice becomes unhealthy, you may notice some or all of the following:
- Your voice is hoarse or raspy
- Your throat feels raw, achy or strained
- You find it difficult to speak
- You repeatedly clear your throat
- People regularly ask you if you have a cold when you do not
- You have lost your ability to hit some high notes when singing
Why You May Be Experiencing Voice Problems
There are many possible causes of voice problems. You may experience the above symptoms due to voice overuse or misuse, cancer, infection or injury.
What You Can Do to Keep Your Voice at Its Healthiest
There are a few simple lifestyle habits you can keep in mind to help mitigate an unhealthy voice.
Stay well hydrated. Drinking plenty of water every day is essential to maintaining a healthy voice. When you are well hydrated, your throat’s mucous production is optimized. This helps lubricate your vocal cords as they vibrate whenever you speak. The average recommended amount of water is 6 to 8 glasses a day, but you may need to adjust that amount based on your height, weight, medications, physical activity or other factors. You may also want to avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, such as( coffee, tea and, soda, as they can dehydrate your body.
Stop smoking, and avoid those who do. Smoking is a leading cause of lung and throat cancer. Both primary and secondhand smoke cause significant irritation and swelling of your vocal cords, which can permanently change your voice quality, nature and capabilities.
Avoid raising your voice. Habitual yelling, screaming and cheering puts stress on your vocal cords. If you find yourself in a noisy environment, wait until you’re in a quieter place to resume your conversation. Alternatively, you may rely more strongly on visual cues, such as hand signals, or a voice amplification system.
Speak in your normal voice. Talking frequently in a pitch that is higher or lower than your own can injure your vocal cords.
Try not to clear your throat too often. Clearing your throat is like slamming your vocal cords together, and doing this too often can lead to vocal cord injury. Instead of clearing your throat, try taking a sip of water. If you find that you often feel the urge to clear your throat, consider making an appointment with an ear, nose and throat specialist, as there may be an underlying medical cause, such as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR), sinus infection or allergies.
Rest your voice when you’re sick. Speaking while hoarse can cause permanent and serious injury to the vocal cords.
Listen to What Your Voice is Telling You
Your voice is your most common method of communicating with those around you. It is a priceless asset used for social interaction, doing business and working. Taking proper care of your voice gives you your best chance at maintaining a healthy voice for a lifetime.
If you are experiencing symptoms of an unhealthy voice, consider making an appointment with a medical specialist to check for medical problems. Call us today at 404.257.1589 (Atlanta) or 770.777.1100 (Alpharetta), or book an appointment with us online now.
