Taking Care of Your Voice
We rely on our voices to communicate with other people. Many people are in professions that place a great demand on their voice. Unfortunately, these individuals tend to be the most prone to experiencing voice problems. Approximately 7.5 million people have disorders of the voice. Many of these voice disorders can be avoided by simply taking better care of your voice.
Causes of Voice Problems
Common causes include:
- Upper respiratory infections
- Inflammation caused by acid reflux
- Vocal misuse and abuse
- Vocal nodules or laryngeal growths
- Neuromuscular diseases (such as Spasmodic Dysphonia or vocal cord paralysis)
- Psychogenic conditions due to psychological trauma, stress, anxiety or depression
- Laryngeal cancer
Most voice problems are reversible and can be successfully treated when diagnosed early.
Do You Know When Your Voice is Not Healthy?
- Has your voice become hoarse or raspy?
- Have you lost your ability to hit some high notes while singing?
- Does your voice suddenly sound deeper?
- Does your throat often feel raw, achy or strained?
- Has it become an effort to talk?
- Do you find yourself repeatedly clearing your throat?
