Treating And Avoiding Long
Most of us dont really think about our voice as a tangible thing that requires care until we cant use it because of illness. When you get sick and lose your voice, you may think its just a normal part of being sick.
Hydration is huge for voice care because water helps thin the mucus that then lubricates the vocal cords as they vibrate. The vocal cords dry out quickly. And it takes a long time to rehydrate them. The best way to keep your hydration at an optimal level is by drinking plenty of water. Not tea, not coffee, not soda water. Drinks that contain caffeine may seem like theyre hydrating you, but theyre really drying you out more. Unfortunately, your decongestant cold medicine may contribute to dehydration of the vocal cords. Of course, we always stress the importance of nicotine cessation. Not only because of the cancers associated, but also the heat is damaging to the vocal cord tissues.
Over time, your vocal cords can develop abnormal growths, which are often considered a wear and tear injury from constant use and abuse of the voice. These lesions can continue to enlarge and make the voice worse and worse until surgical removal may be required.
Our team tries to keep people out of the operating room. But sometimes vocal cord surgery is necessary because of irreversible damage.
Baylor College Of Medicine Blog Network
Spring is here! Arent we so glad to be out of winter?
With seasonal changes, people often experience upper respiratory infections, allergies or a cold, which may result in voice changes that can last up to two weeks.
You may ask yourself, If I have a cold or allergy, how can this affect my voice?
The same allergies that affect your nose can affect your voice. The upper respiratory tract or sinus system is connected to your larynx by postnasal drip.
Postnasal drip is the collection of secretions that drip down the back of your nose.
These secretions can drip directly onto your vocal cords and cause irritation, pitch changes , altered vocal range , decreased resonance, throat pain, cough and increased risk of hemorrhage of vocal folds.
What can you do to protect your voice when colds, allergies or sinusitis arise? Try to:
Preventative care can make you healthy year round. If your voice has not improved two weeks after suffering a cold or allergy, you may want to consider a visit an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist.
What Is A Hoarse Voice A Symptom Of
If your voice is hoarse, your range and pitch will change. Your voice;will either;sound weak and raspy,;or;deep and harsh.;Hoarseness is the abnormal change of;your voice and can be caused by a range of things:;
- Allergies;
- Stress and anxiety;
- Overuse of your voice;
In most cases, hoarseness is caused by some type of irritation or cough;and;is easily;remedied with voice rest. If you have a hoarse voice for 3 weeks or more, consult your doctor to check it over.;;;
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Testing For Laryngeal Cancer
Your ENT specialist may also want to make sure your symptoms aren’t the result of;laryngeal cancer.;
Alcohol and tobacco are the two main things that can increase your risk of developing laryngeal cancer.;The more you drink or smoke, the higher your risk of developing laryngeal cancer.
Laryngeal cancer;is uncommon, but it’s important to confirm it or rule it out quickly because the sooner laryngeal cancer is diagnosed, the more effective treatment will be.
Tests your ENT specialist may recommend to check for laryngeal cancer include:
- computerised tomography scan; a series of X-rays are taken and assembled by a computer into a more detailed 3D image of your throat
- magnetic resonance imaging scan; strong magnetic fields and radio waves are used to produce detailed scans of the inside of your throat
- biopsy; where a sample of tissue is taken during a laryngoscopy to check for the presence of cancerous cells
Where Can I Find Additional Information
The NIDCD maintains a directory of organizations that provide information on the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language.;Use the following keywords to help you search for organizations that can answer questions and provide information on hoarseness:
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Can Thyroid Problems Cause Hoarseness
Yes, hypothyroidism can cause a deepening of the voice. This deepening is often noticed and more common in middle-aged women. A thyroid nodule or thyroid cancer can interrupt the nerve that supplies one of an individual’s two vocal cords, causing paralysis and hoarseness. Finally, surgery on the neck can cause paralysis and hoarseness.
Can Winter Allergies Affect Singing
Some people suffer from allergies all year round, not just in the summer. Winter allergies are caused by indoor allergens, such as mould, dust mites and animals.;
Winters allergens trigger many of the same side effects as pollen allergies, including coughing, a stuffy nose, and postnasal drip.;;
These symptoms can impair your singing voice in the same way as pollen allergies. The vocal cords become irritated and inflamed by the excess phlegm and the pitch and tone of your voice can change.;
Fighting winter allergies starts at home, as this is where;most of;the allergens;are found. Hoovering regularly,;setting up a dehumidifier,;and;washing sheets once a week in hot water;will help reduce;the growth of;mould;spores.;;
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What Is Laryngitis Common Laryngitis Symptoms
Laryngitis causes a hoarse voice or the complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the vocal cords. The vocal cords are inside of the larynx. They are vibrating elastic bands that produce your voice. When our vocal cords function normally, they open and close smoothly. Sounds are made through their movement and vibration. Laryngitis causes the vocal cords to become inflamed and swollen;due to overuse. The vocal cords can also be;affected by another health concern, like GERD or a viral infection, leading to the distortion of sounds and hoarseness.
There are other laryngitis symptoms, besides;a hoarse and raspy voice. Other laryngitis symptoms include losing your voice completely, coughing, trouble swallowing, a dry or sore throat, a tickling, scratchiness in the throat, a constant urge to clear the throat, postnasal discharge and fever.
Most of the time, laryngitis symptoms will come on quickly and then disappear within two weeks. Its possible to develop chronic, long-lasting laryngitis. Chronic laryngitis lasts more than a few weeks. It tends to have a longer course and require treatment. According to research conducted at Boston Medical Center, up to 21 percent of the population may develop chronic laryngitis in their lifetime. Difficulty speaking, globus sensation , and pain are;the most common symptoms of chronic laryngitis.
Can Seasonal Allergies Cause A Hoarse Voice How Hay Fever Affects Your Voice
Posted on byTeenStar
Stuffy noses, congestion, and itchy sinuses can all take their toll on your voice. These are of course bad news for singers but are also increasingly common.;
Can seasonal allergies cause a hoarse voice? Yes, but there are ways to combat a croaky voice caused by allergens. Find out how hay fever, pollen and other matter attack the respiratory system, so you can better prepare to combat and prevent the effects.;;;
In this article, well explain why these issues may be arising, which mediations to avoid and what alternative remedies will be most effective.;;
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Anatomy Of Allergy And Anaphylaxis
Allergies typically develop for two reasons: first, genetic predisposition ; and second, environmental factors, especially in early childhood. According to the hygiene hypothesis, the immune system in people who arent exposed to a wide variety of germs early in life is more likely to incorrectly develop an allergic immune reaction to harmless foreign antigens.
Having an allergy means that your immune system reacts to an allergen as a threat and mounts a defense against it each time it comes in contact with it. Your first contact with the allergen may produce no obvious symptoms, but it stimulates the production of large amounts of an antibody protein called immunoglobulin E, or IgE. In allergy-prone people, IgE is produced in response to generally harmless substances, such as a food or medication. IgE locks onto immune cells to prepare for the next encounter with the allergen a process known as sensitization. Now, whenever youre subsequently exposed to the allergen, IgE signals the mast cells and basophils to disgorge inflammation-causing chemicals called mediators. The symptoms depend on the mediator and the tissue in which its released for example, the mediator histamine can cause blood vessels to dilate and airways in the lungs to narrow.
Certain cardiovascular medications can lower the effectiveness of epinephrine, the key treatment for anaphylaxis; so if youre taking one of those medications and have allergies, consult your clinician.
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The Best Allergy Medicine For Singers
Suffering from allergies can be infuriating as there seems to be no relief. Especially if youre a singer and you need your voice back as soon as possible. As youll need to avoid antihistamines, try some alternative medicines to treat your hoarseness.;;
When youre following a healthy lifestyle as a singer, losing your voice to allergies can be confusing. Especially when winter allergies can target your vocals, too. Fighting hay fever and allergies can feel like an endless battle especially if its impacting your vocal ability. But they dont have to stop you performing. You can keep hoarse, congested tones at bay during allergy season by following the advice and suggestions weve provided.;
What Happens At The Doctors Office
While hoarseness typically isnt an emergency, it may be linked to some serious medical conditions.
Speak with your doctor if your hoarseness becomes a persistent issue, lasting more than one week for a child and 10 days for an adult.
See your doctor promptly if hoarseness is accompanied by drooling and difficulty swallowing or breathing.
A sudden inability to speak or put together coherent sentences may indicate a serious underlying medical condition.
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How Is Chronic Laryngitis Treated
Your doctor will examine your throat to determine the cause of the laryngitis. Treatment will be based on the cause of your condition.
Laryngitis symptoms can be caused by an infection in your respiratory tract. You may need to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist if youre a smoker and youve had laryngitis symptoms for more than a month.
Hoarse Voice Allergy Treatment
Suffering from allergies can be infuriating as there seems to be no relief. Especially if youre a singer and you need your voice back as soon as possible.;;
As youll need to avoid antihistamines, youll need to try some alternative methods to treat your hoarseness:;
- Drink plenty of fluids ;
- Set up a humidifier to keep the air most;
- Keep your windows closed during pollen seasons;
- Wash your sheets weekly in hot water;
- Dont hang your sheets outside;
- Vacuum frequently to pick up allergens;
- Avoid clearing your throat;
- Rest your voice;
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Allergy Medicine For Singers
Antihistamines should be avoided at all costs if youre a singer. They can;actually prolong;and worsen;the dehydrating effects on your;vocal folds. But there are plenty of alternative allergy medicines musicians can use to alleviate;allergy;symptoms:;
- Nasal steroids and nasal antihistamines; these are a great allergy relief for singers and can help with nasal symptoms and with postnasal drip. They provide targeted relief that wont affect the voice and throat.;
- Medicative pills ;some pills such as;Singulair;and other leukotrienes are safe for singers to take at night as they dont have a drying effect on the vocal cords.;
- Natural antihistamines ;some natural plant extracts and foods can work as antihistamines;and;dont have a;drying effect on your voice.
Hoarse Voice And Post Nasal Drip
- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Reviewed on 10/15/2020
A hoarse voice can occur with upper respiratory infections and allergic reactions that involve the upper respiratory tract such as hay fever. Irritation of the throat can cause hoarseness, and postnasal drip can be the cause of this symptom as well. If you have troubling symptoms such as these that do not improve or worsen, talk with your doctor.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
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What Research Is Being Done To Better Understand And Treat Hoarseness
Researchers funded by the NIDCD are working with teachers to devise strategies to help them reduce the stress and strain on their voices. In one study, the teachers use a voice “dosimeter” that takes into account the frequency and loudness of their speech along with the duration of vibration in their vocal folds to determine their daily “dose” of vocal use. The researcher hopes to establish a safe level of voice use, as well as recommended recovery times from prolonged speaking.
In another study, researchers are working with two groups of student teachers in the United States and China to test the effectiveness of voice hygiene education on its own and with voice production training. The researcher hopes to see how successfully the techniques prevent future voice problems in teachers who have healthy voices at the beginning of the study versus those who already may have some voice problems.
The NIDCD also is supporting a researcher who is planning to make a “map” of all of the genes, proteins, immune system cells, and bacteria present in the normal larynx so that we can better understand the changes that happen during chronic inflammation of the larynx . Using these findings, models will be made that can be used in the lab to develop and direct future interventions for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases of the larynx.
How Hoarseness Manifests
At rest, the vocal folds are open. When you decide to speak there are several things that have to work together in order for an audible sound to be produced. Hoarseness may result from conditions that affect any of these steps:
Step 1: The vocal folds come together.A problem with this step may occur in either the vocal folds or with the nerves which supply the vocal folds. An example may be if;cancer;such as lung cancer or metastatic breast cancer pushes on the nerve that travels to the vocal folds in the chest.;
Step 2: Passing air causes the vocal folds to vibrate.When the vocal folds are closed, the;air then must travel past them and cause the folds to vibrate. Again, problems may occur due to the vocal folds themselves, due to anything which keeps the folds from remaining closed , or anything that prohibits the normal flow of air past the folds.
Step 3: The sound needs to exit the body.Once air moves past the vocal folds, the sound then needs to “exit” the body, Anything which interferes with the flow of air out through the throat, mouth, and nose, may interfere with the sound.
Sound passing to the outside world also resonates in the sinus cavities. This helps to explain the “nasal quality” of your voice if you have a condition affecting your sinus passageways. The sound can vary from person to person depending on how it reverberates in the sinus passages and based on the size of the vocal folds.
Hoarseness can either involve both vocal folds or only one.
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When To Call Your Doctor
Its important to see your doctor if you are experiencing a hoarse voice that lasts beyond a few days. While most causes of hoarseness are benign and are due to transient causes such as a cold, it may also be a symptom of something more serious.
If your symptom persists, its important to make an appointment with your doctoreven if you think thereâs a reasonable cause. Doctors vary on what they call âpersistent.â In general, if your symptoms last more than two weeks, progressively worsen, or are associated with other symptoms, you should make an appointment.
If you notice the sudden loss of voice or have other concerning symptoms, such as weakness in a part of your body, visual changes, or lightheadedness, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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Treatment For Postnasal Drip
Treatment for postnasal drip depends on the root cause.
For the cold or flu, the best thing you can do is rest, hydrate and wait for symptoms to resolve. While the chicken noodle soup cure is an old wives tale, consuming warm liquids do provide temporary relief by opening up a stuffy nose, thinning mucus and preventing dehydration.
Allergies can be treated with over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines. Long-term treatment solutions include allergy shots and allergy drops, which decrease your reaction to allergens over time.
Sinus infections and other bacterial infections may be treated with antibiotics.
Other solutions that may provide relief include using saline nasal sprays or irrigation to flush mucus and irritants out of the sinuses and nasal passages. Using a vaporizer or humidifier can increase the moisture in the air and thin mucus as well.
For more information or to schedule an appointment with an ENT physician, call the experts at Hampton Roads ENT.
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