To sing at your best, it's important to look after your vocal health. Many things can affect the quality of your singing voice. Therefore, it is wise to learn how to recognize potential problems so you can keep them at bay when it is time for a big performance. Here are some common everyday factors to bear in mind:
How alcohol affects your vocal health
Alcohol is not good for your vocal cords because it causes the blood vessels in them to dilate. When the vessels in your vocal cords dilate, the blood comes closer to the surface and this makes them more susceptible to hemorrhaging while 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
Smoke causes your throat to get irritated and this leads to inflammation that makes it difficult for you to sing your best. Don't smoke and avoid secondhand smoke as best you can. You especially want to avoid smoke several days before a 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. 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 on your vocal cords shouldn't be too much of a problem.
Vocal health and the foods you eat
Certain foods can irritate your voice. Dairy products often cause mucus to build up, which causes you to clear your throat frequently. Some singers are affected by spicy foods. 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, 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. 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. Listen to the local weather report to find out the pollen count. Most areas have higher pollen counts in the early morning or early evening. If you limit outdoor activities to the middle of the day, you're less likely to encounter the highest levels of pollen.
How medication affects your vocal health
Many times, the drugs you take for other conditions will cause your throat to become dried out. 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. You may also want to avoid the medications on the days that you have to do plenty of singing.
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