Sunday, October 9, 2011

Adele: Vocal Cord Hemorrhage, cancels U.S. tour

British phenom, Adele, recently announced that persistent problems with vocal cord hemorrhage has forced the cancellation of her U.S. tour.   Hoarseness and other voice disorders can be a huge problem for all of us, not only those who are professional singers.

Here are a few tips for how to care for your voice:

1. Avoid overuse.  Try to speak in low to moderate volumes.  Avoid screaming and avoid whispering -- both strain your vocal cords.  If you must speak for many hours a day, then try to rest your voice for 10 minutes every few hours -- this will help preserve your voice over the long term.

2. Hydration.  Ample water intake is extremely important for your voice!  You can always tell if your body is adequately hydrated: your urine will be pale and clear.  Hydration helps maintain the lubricating mucus on your vocal cords.  Dehydrating drinks tend to cause dehydration, so try to avoid these (ie. coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks).  Use a humidifier if needed.

3. Avoid throat clearing: it is traumatic to the vocal cords, leading to excessive strain.  Sometimes throat clearing is a sign of gatroesophageal reflux (GERD) and your physician can help treat this condition.  While most folks with GERD experience "heartburn", many people do not experience this and their only sign of GERD is excessive throat clearing.  

4. Antihistamines/Decongestants: these commonly used medications are often found in cold or allergy treatments.  They often cause dryness to the vocal cords, which brings us back to tip #2.

5. Avoid smoking or second-hand smoke.  Smoking can cause chronic laryngitis/hoarseness, vocal cord polyps, and even cancer of the throat or vocal cords.    If you are a smoker, this is yet another reason to consider smoking cessation if you are a smoker -- please see your health care provider for help on smoking cessation.

If you have any voice concerns, please call Dr. White for an appointment at the Texas ENT Center.
Dr. White has a special interest in voice disorders, and he will develop a treatment plan designed for your voice needs.  For further information on voice hygiene and vocal cord services, please click here.

Click here for a link to the Texas ENT Center in Keller, Texas.

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