Posts Tagged ‘singers vocal health’

Factors That Affect Vocal Health

You always want to sing your best and that is why vocal health is so important. There are a number of factors that can affect your vocal performance. What’s important is that you recognize problems and keep them at bay before a big performance. Here are a few common things to keep in mind when it comes to your vocal health:

Alcohol and your voice

Alcohol is not good for your vocal cords because it causes the blood vessels in them to dilate. When your vessels dilate, the blood moves closer to the surface and this increases the risk of a hemorrhage on your vocal cords when you are singing. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages on the days when you will be singing or practicing and when you do drink alcohol, be sure to drink a lot of water to keep from becoming dehydrated.

Cigarette smoke affects your voice

The smoke often causes inflammation of the tissues in the throat and that makes it more difficult to sing. Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke as best you can. It is best to avoid cigarette smoke for several days before you have a singing lesson or give a performance.

Throat clearing

If you are a habitual throat clearer, now is the time to break the habit and find the root of the problem. Constantly clearing your throat could be an indication of a medical condition like acid reflux or postnasal drip. 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

Certain foods can 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 claim that spicy foods don’t enhance their singing. Pay attention to how your body reacts to certain foods, so you know what to avoid the day before or day of a big concert or performance.

Pollen, allergens and your voice

Sensitivities to allergens, such as pollen or dust, may cause the vocal folds and throat to swell. Your doctor may be able to prescribe medication to help you overcome your allergy problems. There are a few things you can do at home to limit your exposure to allergens. Clean your house often so dust does not have a chance to settle and collect and buy non-allergenic bedding to sleep on. Pay attention to your local news and weather for pollen count updates. Pollen counts are usually much higher in the early morning hours or the early evening. If you limit outdoor activities to the middle of the day, you’re less likely to encounter the highest levels of pollen.

Medications and your vocal health

The problem with most over-the-counter drugs is that just about anything you can find to help you with the symptoms of a runny nose or watery eyes dries out your throat. If you have to take the medication, then drink lots of water before you sing so your throat won’t become too dry. You may also want to avoid the medications on the days that you have to do plenty of singing.

I hope you found this post helpful. If you’re learning to sing, you may well be interested in learning how to promote yourself and your band successfully. If so I highly recommend you check out this Social Bandmaker review.

 

Factors That Affect Vocal Health

You always want to sing your best and that is why vocal health is so important. There are a number of factors that can affect your vocal performance. What’s important is that you recognize problems and keep them at bay before a big performance. Here are a few common things to keep in mind when it comes to your vocal health:

Alcohol and your voice

Alcohol is not good for your vocal cords because it causes the blood vessels in them to dilate. When your vessels dilate, the blood moves closer to the surface and this increases the risk of a hemorrhage on your vocal cords when you are singing. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages on the days when you will be singing or practicing and when you do drink alcohol, be sure to drink a lot of water to keep from becoming dehydrated.

Cigarette smoke affects your voice

The smoke often causes inflammation of the tissues in the throat and that makes it more difficult to sing. Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke as best you can. It is best to avoid cigarette smoke for several days before you have a singing lesson or give a performance.

Throat clearing

If you are a habitual throat clearer, now is the time to break the habit and find the root of the problem. Constantly clearing your throat could be an indication of a medical condition like acid reflux or postnasal drip. 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

Certain foods can 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 claim that spicy foods don’t enhance their singing. Pay attention to how your body reacts to certain foods, so you know what to avoid the day before or day of a big concert or performance.

Pollen, allergens and your voice

Sensitivities to allergens, such as pollen or dust, may cause the vocal folds and throat to swell. Your doctor may be able to prescribe medication to help you overcome your allergy problems. There are a few things you can do at home to limit your exposure to allergens. Clean your house often so dust does not have a chance to settle and collect and buy non-allergenic bedding to sleep on. Pay attention to your local news and weather for pollen count updates. Pollen counts are usually much higher in the early morning hours or the early evening. If you limit outdoor activities to the middle of the day, you’re less likely to encounter the highest levels of pollen.

Medications and your vocal health

The problem with most over-the-counter drugs is that just about anything you can find to help you with the symptoms of a runny nose or watery eyes dries out your throat. If you have to take the medication, then drink lots of water before you sing so your throat won’t become too dry. You may also want to avoid the medications on the days that you have to do plenty of singing.

I hope you found this post helpful. If you’re learning to sing, you may well be interested in learning how to promote yourself and your band successfully. If so I highly recommend you check out this Social Bandmaker review.