Common Factors Affecting Your Vocal Health
Vocal health for singers is very important when it comes to singing your best. There are several things that can have an effect upon the quality of your vocal performance. It is a good idea to learn how to recognize potential problems so you can limit the chance for trouble when it comes time for you to sing. Here are some common everyday factors to bear in mind:
Alcohol and your voice
Alcohol dilates blood vessels in your body, which is not a good thing for your vocal cords if you plan to sing. When the blood vessels dilate, the blood thins and comes to the surface, which makes you more susceptible to a hemorrhage on your vocal cords. Limit your intake of alcohol to those days that you don’t have to practice or perform and drink plenty of water on those days that you choose to drink, because alcohol dehydrates you.
Smoking and secondhand smoke affects vocal health
Cigarette smoke causes the tissue in your throat to become irritated and inflamed and this makes it more difficult for you to sing well. Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke as best you can. You should at least avoid smoke for several days prior to a singing lesson or performance.
Clearing your throat
If you are a habitual throat clearer, now is the time to break the habit and find the root of the problem. Clearing your throat a lot can be a sign of a medical condition like postnasal drip or even acid reflux. Swallow instead of clearing your throat and talk with your doctor about the cause. Many times, singers develop a habit of throat clearing because of frequently clearing the cords for singing. A little mucus on your vocal cords should not be too much of an interference with your voice.
Food and your vocal health
Some types of foods will irritate your voice For instance, dairy foods are noted to cause increased mucus production and this leads you to clear your throat more frequently. Some people may be affected by spicy foods while others are not. Since everyone is different, you will have to listen to your own body and discover the foods you should avoid for a few days before you are scheduled to sing.
Pollen, allergens and your voice
Allergies to pollen and dust will cause your throat and vocal folds to become irritated and inflamed. You doctor might be able to help you deal with your allergy problems. There are some basic precautions you can take at home for allergy relief. Clean your house often so dust does not have a chance to settle and collect and buy non-allergenic bedding to sleep on. Be sure to listen to your local weather reports for current pollen counts. Most areas have higher pollen counts in the early morning or early evening. Restrict your outdoor activities to the middle of the day when you are less likely to run into problems with pollen.
How medication affects your vocal health
Many of the medications that you take to treat a runny nose or watery eyes will dry out your throat too. If you need to take the medications, compensate by drinking more water so you don’t get dry when you sing. If it is possible, you might want to avoid taking any medications before your singing engagement.
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