What can I do to look after my Voice?

• Stop smoking. If you can’t give up, cut down. Smoking irritates and damages the vocal folds. Talk to your GP about advice to support stopping smoking.

• Avoid eating spicy foods. Spicy foods can cause stomach acid to move into the throat or oesophagus, causing heartburn or reflux. If you do experience reflux, talk to your GP about possible medications.

• Avoid too much coffee, fizzy drinks and alcohol. These can dry out the vocal cords. Try drinking decaffeinated tea or coffee or follow an alcoholic drink with a soft drink.

• Avoid shouting and whispering

• If your voice feels tired or strained then rest it. This is your bodys way of telling you to rest your voice

• Try not to clear your throat unnecessarily. It can create excessive mucous and lead to a further need to clear your throat. Try drinking water instead or swallowing.

• Avoid dry and dusty atmospheres as they may dry out the vocal cords. Wear a mask in a dusty environment.

• Try to drink 2 litres (3 ½ pints) of liquid a day (not including coffee, alcohol or fizzy drinks). This will prevent dehydration of the vocal cords.

• Try steaming to keep the vocal folds hydrated

Our Private Voice Therapists are Clinical Specialists in Voice. Book a free 15 minute consultation or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com to enquire about our reasonable fees for Voice Therapy.