Common Factors Affecting Your Vocal Health
Vocal health for singers is very important when it comes to singing your best. There are a number of factors that can affect 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 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. 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
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. You especially want to avoid smoke several days before a lesson or 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. Try to develop the habit of swallowing rather than throat clearing and discuss the problem with your doctor to find out the cause. For many singers, throat clearing is just an unconscious habit that results from trying to clear the vocal cords for singing. Singing with a little mucus won’t hurt.
Vocal health and the foods you eat
You’ll discover that certain foods cause vocal irritation. Dairy foods in particular are noted for causing mucus to buildup and that makes you clear your throat more often. Some singers are affected by spicy foods. 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, dust and your vocal health
Being allergic to dust or pollen can cause your vocal folds and throat to become irritated and swollen. You doctor might be able to help you deal with your allergy problems. In the meantime, take some basic precautions. Maintain a clean home so dust doesn’t have the chance to settle and cause your problems and select allergy-free bedding to sleep on at night. 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. If you need to spend time outdoors, doing so in the middle of the day is a good idea so you encounter less pollen.
How medicines can affect your voice
Many of the medications that you take to treat a runny nose or watery eyes will dry out your throat too. If you can’t avoid taking the medications, be sure to drink a lot of water so your throat won’t get dry when you sing. If possible, you may want to forego the medicine on the days when you have to sing.
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