Vocal Advice

I have been unable to stop coughing heavily for the past few days, almost the past week and my voice is very chesty and my head voice is weak and quiet now.  Usually when I get sick this doesn’t happen so I’m worried. This is not a drip cough so it’s not like I have a bunch of phlegm in my throat preventing my voice from having clarity.

Answer: A “tickle cough” can become debilitating while it lasts … and some coughs seem to hang on for a long time.  As often as not a lingering cough stems from something other than merely a cold or sinus infection or something in the larynx … and is often an indication of some sort of upper-respiratory infection, inflammation and a build up of unwanted liquid-matter in the lungs … making breathing also more difficult and inefficient.  Something like this should be checked by an M.D.  But, if you can, see a doctor who does not simply prescribe an antiobiotic for everything.  The better medical doctors are becoming nutritionally and “holistically” aware.  There may be things you can do with diet, lifestyle, supplements and herbs that would help your own immune system beat this thing - rather than resorting to the ever-popular antiobiotic - that kills all bacteria (including good bacteria) indiscriminately, leaving your immune system even more susceptible to infection after the course is finished.

Deal with the cause of the cough.  Allow your body to heal … then get back to singing.  Your voice will come back.  You need to give your voice a rest while the cough persists.

Best wishes to you.

Back in September 2008, I lost my voice. As it started to come back, I got into a very long conversation, and felt my voice going away again. The next day I performed with my band at a show.

It feels like my voice has never recovered from that time. I always have a coughing sensation and I feel my voice is much weaker. I have not been to an ENT, yet. I did receive OTC medication from a doctor, but it didn’t work. I also did all of the home remedies (letting vocals relax, warm liquids, salt water, and cough drops).

I can still sing, but not nearly as much as I used to. I require a week of vocal rest from performance to performance. (i used to play shows everyday)

Is it too late to fix this problem? Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you for your time.

Answer: Dear Daisy, (It’s now August 1, 2009)
I’d say the same to you if you were my student whom I had not seen in over a year and were not in proximity, and I had only what you’ve told me to go on (unable to hear or see you); I would tell you:
1.  See an Ear, Nose, Throat specialist as soon as possible.  It’s been the better part of 11 months!
2.  Stop taking over-the-counter drugs - if you’re still taking some.
3.  See a qualified voice teacher or vocal therapist and take a series of lessons and learn how to use your voice effectively without unnecessary strain.
(more…)

I have a very bad sore throat these days. . . But I can’t stop singing!!  What can I do?!  Is it harmful?

Answer: A “bad sore throat” indicates infection and swelling.  The throat often functions as the body’s “barometer” telling you that your body is fighting infection.

I empathize with your desire to keep singing.  However, while you have a sore throat it is advisable to stop singing.  Infection and soreness in the throat is about an inch from the vocal cords.  When you continue to sing - exercising the cords, blood flows to the surface of the cords - just like it does to your face when you exercise vigorously (you get flushed in the face).  It is then that the cords are most susceptible to becoming infected with the same germ that is causing soreness in your throat.  So, singing while having a sore throat is tantamount to inviting the infection to your voice.  When this happens you end up with “laryngitis” (temporary vocal cord paralysis) - at which time you lose part or all of your voice - until you allow your body to deal with the infection and recover fully.  Continuing to try to sing under those conditions can lead to lasting damage.

Also, it is good to know that the throat has relatively few pain nerve endings - unlike our hands and fingers. (This is the reason why some folk seem to be able to drink piping hot tea without realizing that it is burning their throat.)  So, when we feel pain in our throat - we need to pay attention.

My advice is that you take a break from singing - talking and especially whispering while you have a bad sore throat.  Recovery depends on how severe the infection is and how strong your immune system is.  When you recover, your voice will be the stronger for having left it alone during the days of throat infection.

Now, to help the process of recovery, drink lots of clear fluids (water, apple juice, and cran-anything juices), take lots of vitamin C every day, Echinacea - and if you can, garlic too.  These things will help flush the toxins from your system as well as aid your own immune system to beat the bug.  Besides this, get more than your usual hours of night’s sleep.

If you want to be able to sing do all you can to get well.

Best wishes.

PS. A word of caution:  If you are in the habit of sucking on lozenges, using throat spray or taking analgesics that simply numb the throat area temporarily - and at the same time continue to use your voice while you’re sick, you do not help the process of recovery.  Analgesics dry out the helpful glands that produce the necessary mucous lubrication for your vocal cords.  And, you only mask the pain (and injury) temporarily and do nothing for your body’s ability to fight the infection.  Avoid using your voice and work on a full recovery.