Does your voice sound hoarse from time to time?
Maybe you sound hoarse after singing, maybe you wake up every morning with a hoarse voice
and it takes a considerable time to warm it up or maybe you sound hoarse in some parts
of your vocal range.
In this video, let me give you 8 most common reasons for hoarseness together with tips
how to get rid of it for good.
And if you stay, I will give you a free checklist of vocal behaviours that may be the reason
for your hoarseness.
Let's do this.
Hi, I am Katarina from How 2 Improve Singing and in this video, let's look at the most
common causes of hoarse voice.
You may be surprised when I tell you that hoarseness may be a good thing because it's
your body's way of letting you know that something is not right.
If you pay attention to this early warning sign and act accordingly, you can prevent
further damage to your vocal folds.
First, let's look at what happens to your vocal folds when you get hoarse.
When the structure of the vocal folds changes, they cannot function properly.
When the vocal folds become swollen,
fluid builds up just underneath the superficial layer of the vocal folds, which causes their
thickening.
This fluid build-up is a protective mechanism.
A cushion of liquid protects the vocal folds from further damage but the vocal folds can
protect themselves only to a certain degree.
So, what are the causes of hoarseness or vocal fold swelling?
There are many reasons why a person can sound hoarse.
First, let's cover causes that have nothing to do with voice use, like speaking or singing.
Cause #1: Infection The most common cause of hoarseness is acute
or chronic infection, like common cold or flu.
Your throat, including your vocal folds may get inflamed and your voice gets compromised.
The vocal folds become pink, red, irritated and swollen.
Sound production may be difficult or painful, the voice is hoarse, croaky or breathy, or
a complete loss of voice may occur.
In this case, take a break, hydrate well and treat the infection as directed by your doctor.
Your voice should return to its normal within two weeks.
Cause #2: Allergies Another cause of hoarseness not related to
voice use are allergies.
Are you allergic to dust, pollen, animals or mildew?
Or maybe you are allergic to certain foods?
Your body may be protecting you by vocal fold swelling and making you sound hoarse.
Also, some medication used to treat allergies may have adverse effects on your voice.
In case of allergies, consult your doctor or a specialist, allergologist.
Cause #3: Cigarette Smoke It is well documented in many scientific studies
that smoking causes changes in the structure of your vocal folds, including thickening
and cancer.
So, think twice before you light another cigarette.
Cause #4: Acid Reflux Acid reflux is a common cause of hoarseness
in singers because singers are prone to acid reflux.
The problem is that some symptoms of acid reflux are not readily recognized and can
cause harm to vocal folds silently.
Singers who suffer from acid reflux may wake up with a hoarse voice and need a considerable
time to sound "normally" again.
If you suspect acid reflux, visit a specialist, such as gastroenterologist.
Cause #5: Chronic Conditions Less common causes of hoarseness are related
to chronic conditions and neurological disorders, such as hormonal disorders, arthritis, stroke,
asthma or Parkinson's disease.
In these cases, answers may be harder to find and will require cooperation of several specialists
to find the best possible solution for you.
Now, let's talk about causes of hoarseness that are related to vocal use, either during
speaking or singing.
Phonotrauma is a term that covers vocal misuse, abuse and overuse and often results in hoarseness
or vocal nodules.
Let's look at these causes in more detail.
Cause #6: Vocal Misuse When you sing or speak with faulty vocal technique
you may cause vocal fold swelling and hoarseness.
For example, if you push your voice to increase loudness, if you don't know how to breathe
properly when singing, or if you engage muscles that are normally not engaged in singing,
you are straining your voice beyond what it can handle.
The solution is obvious: develop healthy vocal habits.
If you get hoarse after or during singing, your body is telling you that you are not
using your vocal instrument in a healthy way.
Take this warning sign seriously and change your technique.
Also, check out my other video about reasons of vocal strain in singing.
Cause #7 Vocal Abuse Vocal abuse involves high impact behaviours,
such as yelling and screaming, excessive coughing or throat clearing.
It is easy to eliminate these abusive behaviours once you know what they are.
However, sometimes, singers don't even know that they are abusing their voices.
Therefore, I prepared a free checklist of such abusive behaviours to help you identify
them so that you can start eliminate them from your life.
Cause #8 Vocal Overuse And finally, vocal overuse happens when vocal
folds work more than they are conditioned to.
Singers who use their voices often and with great demands are prone to vocal fold swelling.
These singers need to deliberately plan voice breaks and vocal rests during their busy schedules
so that the vocal folds have time to recover properly.
Also, it is important to build vocal and body endurance with regular practice.
Whatever the reason for your hoarseness is, it is important to listen to the warning signs
of your body.
Become aware of hoarseness so that you can prevent further and more serious damage to
the vocal folds.
Then, decrease the stress put on vocal folds and develop good vocal habits.
This may include vocal rest, or reduced voice use, proper vocal and breathing technique
when singing.
In healthy people, 12 to 24 hours is usually enough for the liquid build up to be absorbed,
for the swelling to go away completely and for the voice to return to its normal quality.
However, if we continue putting stress on the vocal folds that are already swollen,
more severe vocal problems can develop, such as vocal nodules.
Decreasing vocal use is very important.
When your vocal folds are irritated and swollen, they are more susceptible to injury.
If you overuse them at this stage, they may take longer to heal completely.
And of course, don't forget to hydrate well.
Hydration is the most basic vocal care habit for singers on any day, so this rule applies
even more when it comes to a hoarse voice.
If your symptoms last longer than 2 weeks, if you suffer from recurring hoarseness, or
if your voice is chronically hoarse, it is time to talk to a voice specialist.
If you think you have a problem, don't delay.
Find help promptly before more damage is done.
I hope you found this video useful.
Give me thumbs up and share it with you friends.
And of course, don't forget to click the subscribe button and the bell icon to stay
connected so that you get notified every time, I post a new video about voice and singing.
That's all for now.
See you in my next video.
For more infomation >> Street food: Why is it becoming popular? - Duration: 6:17. 
For more infomation >> Saints or Jets? Which team is in better position for next five seasons? - Duration: 5:28. 
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét