We usually only remember our voice when it starts to fail. Meanwhile, we could avoid many problems with the voice if we paid more attention to it. Find out what are the most common causes of voice problems. Take care of your vote so that it always serves you well.

Voice problemswe owe mainly to our lifestyle and bad habits. What arecauses of voice problems ? Among our deadly sins, doctors name the common habit of speaking out loud today. It affects everyone, adults and children. This is the result of the decibels bombarding us. The omnipresent noise causes our hearing to deteriorate, and consequently we speak in a raised tone, straining the vocal cords. It is also harmful to speak for many hours in an untrained voice. This is mainly a problem of teachers (recently, there are voice emission classes in pedagogical faculties).

Voice problems: bad breathing

Most of us breathe through our mouths when we speak, delivering polluted air to the respiratory tract, which irritates the mucous membranes of the pharynx and larynx. The voice is not used by radiators, air conditioning, and plane travel. Dry air, like dust and exhaust fumes, irritates the mucosa. But nothing is more harmful to the larynx than smoking and being in a smoky room. Scientists believe that due to the low incandescence temperature, the smoke from smoldering cigarette butts contains more harmful ingredients than the smoke inhaled by smokers. The mucosa of the throat and larynx are irritated by alcohol, strong coffee and tea, spicy spices.

Voice problem: watch out for hoarseness!

The signal that something is wrong with the larynx may be unpleasant dryness in the throat, difficulty swallowing, pain or hoarseness. Usually, we attribute these symptoms to a cold, but they can be a signal of many other ailments. Therefore, in the event of disturbing symptoms, you need to see a doctor. A consultation with an ENT specialist requires a hoarseness that lasts more than 3 weeks, regardless of whether there are other symptoms.

Voice problems: acute vocal cords and laryngitis

It can affect the vocal cords themselves or other parts of the larynx (usually the disease is caused by viruses, less often bacteria). The voice is hoarse, there is a feeling of a foreign body in the throat, it often accompanies itcough with mucous discharge, and in the case of a bacterial infection - purulent. Then the most important thing is to save the voice (preferably keep silent) and moisturize the vocal cords. Drink still mineral water, chamomile infusion, linseed decoction or s alt solution. Use inhalations with the addition of essential oils with a moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effect, e.g. lavender, sandalwood, chamomile. Sucking agents and syrups to relieve pain and hoarseness will help. If the bacterial inflammation persists after a few days, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. The voice will return to normal after 7-10 days.

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Voice problems: inflammation - a chronic condition

Repeated infections, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, being in polluted or overheated air can lead to chronic laryngitis. People who work with their voice often suffer from the ailment. As a result of irritation of the larynx, the vocal cords thicken or their mucosa disappears. Long-lasting hoarseness appears, which increases with talking or smoking. It may be accompanied by a dry cough, grunting, obstruction in the throat, scratching or burning sensation. The symptoms periodically worsen and soften. To get rid of the problem, first of all, you need to eliminate the cause of the disease - stop smoking, save your voice, learn to breathe the diaphragm, take care of nasal obstruction (e.g. surgery on polyps or a crooked septum in the nose). Relief will be provided by expectorant syrups and preparations reducing the viscosity of secretions and preventing dryness of the larynx. Gargle with mixtures with vitamins A and E (you can suck chewed capsules) or chamomile infusion. Drink the flaxseed decoction. Inhalations with the addition of soda or oils, e.g. pine oil, calcium-iodine iontophoresis, and climate treatment bring good results.

Singing polyps and nodules as a result of straining the vocal cords

Straining of the vocal cords, smoking, hormonal disorders, allergies increase the risk of polyps. These are the most common benign larynx nodules. They can appear singly or several on one or both vocal cords. Hoarseness is a common symptom, and sometimes you may not be able to speak at all. If a polyp becomes caught in the glottis, it can cause sudden breathlessness. When the changes do not hinder breathing, it is enough to save the voice, inhalations and iontophoresis help. Large polyps and on the peduncle must be removed. Overloading the vocal cords or chronic inflammation sometimes leads to the formation of vocal (singing) nodules. These are round, pin-like structures located on the vocal cords,which are most often formed in singers, teachers, and screaming children. The symptom is hoarseness, a feeling of obstruction in the larynx. The patient has difficulty maintaining the pitch and breathing. Exercises in voice emission and mastering the art of diaphragm breathing will help. You should give up cigarettes and alcohol, humidify the air, drink a lot. Calcium-iodine iontophoresis and vibration massages of the larynx bring good results. In some cases, surgery is required.

You must do it

What to do to have a voice like a bell?

  • Do not smoke and avoid smoky rooms. Smoke damages the mucosa and increases the risk of cancer.
  • Do not abuse strong alcohol, strong coffee and tea - they irritate and dry the throat.
  • Limit spicy spices and spicy foods. They are harmful like alcohol.
  • Do not overdo it with very cold dishes
  • and very hot - they damage the throat mucosa. Sudden changes in temperature are not used to the throat, e.g. washing down ice cream with hot tea. Drink at least 2 liters of still water every day. Avoid carbonated drinks and acidic fruit juices as they irritate the throat.
  • Humidify the air and avoid air conditioning (similar to radiators, it dries the air). Set up an electric mist humidifier, grow potted flowers and water them frequently. Remember that overheating the body, like cooling down, weakens the mucosa.
  • Try to rest
  • away from the big city smog to breathe clean air. If possible, go to the brine graduation tower or the s alt cave, and go on vacation to the seaside.
  • Save your vocal cords. Try to speak in a normal voice, do not shout over loud music, a working vacuum cleaner or a mixer. Consider if you absolutely need to say something now. Avoid whispering - it stresses the vocal cords.
  • Breathe through your nose.
  • If it is obstructed, heal sinuses, polyps, surgery for a deviated septum. Air inhaled through the mouth does not serve the throat.
  • Learn to breathe the diaphragm. You will put less strain on the vocal cords. A simple exercise will help. Lie on your back on the rug with a heavy book on your stomach. Inhale with your nose as you flex your stomach to make the book rise. Breathe out slowly through your mouth (the book will gradually fall down). Repeat 10 times.
  • Avoid upper respiratory infections. They are conducive to diseases of the larynx.
  • Take time to relax every day. Nervous tension can cause hoarseness, coughing, grunting, even sudden loss of voice.

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ENT