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Laryngitis Treatments
I lose my voice frequently when I strain it for more than an hour while singing or speaking. How can I treat this?
(17 Feb 2010)
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Causes of a lost voice: When you lose your voice, it is usually a case of laryngitis. This means that the larynx or voice box is inflamed. This happens due to over use of the voice box (talking, shouting or singing too long or too loudly), which tends to irritate it, or due to infection.
It could also be due to an allergen like cigarette smoke.
Inside the larynx are our vocal chords. These are made up of cartilage and muscle, covered by two layers of mucous membrane. Under normal circumstances, the vocal chords function by opening and closing, and this movement and vibration allows formation of sounds.
But sometimes, due to over-use, strain, infection or allergies, these vocal chords become inflamed and swollen, making it difficult to produce sounds. Your voice may become raspy and hoarse. Or it may become so weak that it can hardly be heard - ‘you lose your voice’.
This can be short term (acute), but if you neglect it, it can sometimes become long-term (chronic). However, since this is a very common problem there are some effective home remedies to nip the problem in the bud.
Remedies for a lost voice:
- Rest your larynx. The most important remedy when you’ve lost your voice is to stay quiet. This will reduce the strain placed on the voice box. Talk as little as possible. Get by with sign language or by writing. It will improve in a few days. As your voice becomes stronger, try not to over use it. Talk softly and if you have to sing, take short breaks after every half hour. Avoid talking in whispers as it lays more stress on the vocal chords.
- Moisturize and moisten your throat. Over use sometime makes the vocal chords dry and brittle. You can moisten and soothe them by doing a steam inhalation. A hot shower can also help. Suck on a lozenge or cough drops or chew gum to moisten your throat.
- Sip water frequently to keep the throat moist. Take care to keep yourself well hydrated at all times.
- Drink herbal teas. Herbal teas like chamomile are soothing and have medicinal properties which help in healing of the throat. You can also add some lemon juice and honey to it.
- Avoid consuming alcohol, coffee and cola-based drinks. These have a de-hydrating effect on the throat, making the condition worse.
- Dust can aggravate a throat condition, since it dries up the air passages and may also contain allergens. Stay hygienic and always keep your surroundings clean.
- Gargle with warm water to which you have added half a teaspoon of salt.
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answered by G M on 17 Feb 2010, 5:13:46
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