HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR VOICE

This post will help people who use their voice as a means of living ; we call them as professional voice users.
                           

Which occupations are at risk ?

• Teachers 
• Singers
• Lawyers
• Bus conductors
• Salesmen
• Telephone operators
• Politicians
• Army officers
• Monks

Why are only these professionals at high risk?
        Because above professionals use their voice for a living than general population.
For an example teachers: primary and secondary teachers are at high risk than the others, because they frequently have to raise their voice. Reason behind this is that the students are too young to understand a comment/task at first, so the teachers have to keep instructing them and guide them.

What are the causes for vocal disorders?

• Misuse and abuse : singing out of range, frequent coughing, throat clearing, overuse of voice, poor hydration of vocal folds   
• Medical problems: vocal fold surgery, gastritis, allergy, poor diet, infections in the throat, hearing loss, cancer

        Structural anomalies in vocal folds : nodules, polyps, sub-mucous cysts, rinke's edema, scars....

• Environmental factors: performing in dusty, dry, smoky environment
• Emotional factors:anxiety, stress, depression   

Signs and symptoms of vocal disorders

• Hoarseness ( more air comes out when the person is speaking)
• Excessive throat clearance 
• Reduced loudness, volume, pitch range
• Difficulties in speaking for a long duration
• Throat pain
• Irritation in the throat

If you have any problem regarding your voice/speech it is advised to meet a Speech language pathologist.

He/she will conduct a test and they will guide you for treatments. 

     Do's and Don't for  professional voice users  

Vocal hygiene : Use and care of the human voice is required to keep it healthy.

Individuals who put extra strain on their voices must keep their vocal mechanisms in better condition.

This can be especially true if an injury has occurred, even if the individual previously had no extraordinary voice needs.

1. Consult a Speech Language Pathologist or Ear, Nose and Throat doctor (ENT)

Obtain a baseline evaluation of the voice when the voice is healthy.In future these details serve as a source of comparison if you encounter voice difficulties in the future.

2. Voice rest 

Taking voice rest will help to relax the vocal cords and the muscles of it.

3. Maintain adequate hydration

Consuming approximately 2 liters of non-alcoholic fluids per day is necessary to maintain adequate hydration.

4. Minimize throat clearing 

Clearing of throat can be compared to slapping or slamming of the vocal cords together. Excessive throat clearing can cause vocal cord injuries and hoarseness.

Taking a small sip of water or simply swallowing to clear the throat can be used as an alternative than coughing and clearing of throat.

5. Avoid behaviors that may harm your vocal cords

Certain behaviors and food may lead to poor vocal performance.

• Avoid eating very hot or very cold food/drinks
• Avoid eating spicy food it may exacerbate acid reflux 
• Avoid diary/milk products 

Avoid smoking

It's known that smoking leads to lung or throat cancer.

Passive smoking will also cause significant vocal cords irritation and swelling of the vocal cords.

This will permanently change voice quality,nature and capabilities.

Limit intake of drinks that include alcohol or caffeine

These substances cause the body to lose water and it will lead to dehydration of vocal cords and drying of the voice.

Alcohol also irritates the mucous membranes that are in the throat.