Tips for maintaining a healthy voice

Voice is the sound which is produced when air that is forced out of the lungs passes over the vocal cords. Voice disorders occur when there is a problem in the quality of the voice including pitch, volume and tone. These disorders are developed in people for multiple reasons. Doctors who specialize in Ear Nose Throat (ENT) problems must be consulted for diagnosing and treating voice disorders.

The treatment approach may involve medication, injections, therapy or surgery depending upon the cause. Vikram ENT Hospital is a state-of-art specialized ENT Hospital in Coimbatore and a globally renowned Centre that provides effective treatment and cure to a wide variety of ENT issues including voice disorders.

Causes of Voice Disorders

• Upper Respiratory Tract Infections like laryngitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, sore throat and common cold
• Strep throat
• Hyper nasal speech
• Presence of white patches(leukoplakia)
• Inflammation caused by gastrointestinal reflux
• Misuse and over-usage of vocals
• Certain neurological diseases like vocal fold paralysis
• Polyps, nodules or cysts in the vocal cord
• Lumps in the throat
• Throat cancer
• Psychological trauma

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is done through a detailed investigation and physical examination of vocal cords using clinical instruments like angled mirrors, laryngoscope and video stroboscope. Further tests may include acoustic (sound) analysis and laryngeal electromyography.

Treatment

• Rest, hydration and therapy - Taking rest, drinking sufficient water and taking therapy from speech pathologists for using the voice effectively can help in curing mild voice disorders.
• Allergy medication - If mucus accumulation due to allergy is hampering the voice, doctors give medication to treat the problem.
• Lifestyle changes - If the disorder is caused by smoking, cessation of this unhealthy habit is recommended.
• Medications - Medications may be given to reduce inflammation, manage gastro esophageal reflux or prevent the regrowth of blood vessels.
• Interventions - Laser surgery is used to remove non-cancerous growths like lesions, nodules and cysts in the throat if they are affecting the voice. A damaged vocal cord may also be replaced surgically with a healthy nerve from the neck. Thyroplasty is another treatment option wherein an implant is inserted against the paralyzed vocal cord. Alternatively, medicinal injections are given to resolve the neurological movement disorders that affect the vocal muscles.

Tips to keep the voice healthy

• Always drink sufficient water to keep the body hydrated as proper water balance helps to lubricate the vocal cords. Consumption of caffeine and alcohol should also be avoided. Fruits like apple, watermelons, peaches, grapes and plums are good natural sources for hydration.
• Take so-called ‘vocal naps’ when you have used the voice for a considerable length of time.
• Quit the habit of smoking as it not only raises the risk of throat cancer but also negatively impacts the voice. Even inhaling secondary smoke is harmful.
• Never abuse or misuse your voice. Hoarseness is a clear indication that depicts that vocal cords are irritated. It is essential to avoid yelling and screaming in noisy zones during such times.
• Ensure that the throat and neck muscles are kept relaxed and not strained even if you are using raised pitch or singing high notes. Singers may tilt their heads up towards the ceiling when singing high notes and lower them towards the floor during the low ones. Strained vocal muscles can create a long-term impact on the vocal range.
• When you speak, make sure that there is proper breath flow. The way we speak has a huge impact on protecting our voice.
• Do not develop the habit of clearing your throat often because it harms the vocal cords. That causes injury and makes the voice further hoarse. A good alternative is to swallow the saliva or have a sip of water.
• Do not speak much when you are ill especially if you are having a cold, sinus or throat infection.
• Use a loudspeaker or amplifier while addressing large gatherings in public rather than using a loud tone.
• It is advisable to humidify your surroundings, be it the home or workspaces. That is because a moist atmosphere is good for the throat and voice.
• When you have a throat infection, try to eat nutritious yet soft food. Some best foods for sore throat that will aid in soothing it are turmeric, scrambled eggs, honey, cooked vegetables, soup, cinnamon, ginger, apple cider vinegar and cinnamon.
• Consider voice therapy from a professional speech-language pathologist.