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What is the result when you abuse your voice?
Vocal abuse can cause the vocal cords to develop calluses or blisters called nodes and polyps. These change how the voice sounds. In some cases, a vocal cord can rupture from vocal abuse. This causes the cord to bleed (hemorrhage), and can cause loss of voice.
How do you overuse your voice?
Examples include talking too loud or too much or habitual throat clearing and coughing. During these types of actions, your vocal folds repeatedly slam together. Over time, this slamming together of the vocal cords may result in vocal pathologies, such as vocal cord nodules, cysts, or polyps.
What can cause changes in your voice?
Many risk factors can contribute to a voice disorder, including:
- Aging.
- Alcohol use.
- Allergies.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Illnesses, such as colds or upper respiratory infections.
- Improper throat clearing over a long time.
- Neurological disorders.
- Psychological stress.
Why is it important to take care of your voice?
Many times, multiple factors contribute, including vocal demand, stress and emotion, changes to the vocal cord structure, and medical issues that can lead to problems with the voice. Much like you take care of your body, it is also beneficial to take care of your voice to maintain vocal longevity.
What is vocal paralysis?
Vocal cord paralysis occurs when the nerve impulses to your voice box (larynx) are disrupted. This results in paralysis of the vocal cord muscles. Vocal cord paralysis can affect your ability to speak and even breathe. That’s because your vocal cords, sometimes called vocal folds, do more than just produce sound.
How do you stop vocal abuse?
Use your voice wisely:
- Try not to overuse your voice.
- Rest your voice when you are sick.
- Avoid using the extremes of your vocal range, such as screaming or whispering.
- Practice good breathing techniques when singing or talking.
- Avoid cradling the phone when talking.
- Consider using a microphone when appropriate.
What causes voice changes in the elderly?
The most common cause of a voice change later in life is aging of the voice box and the respiratory system that powers the voice. Aging may bring a loss of flexibility. The joints of the larynx may become stiff, and its cartilage may calcify.
What drug makes your voice hoarse?
When smoked, cocaine results in similar injuries to those that occur with smoking other drugs, such as marijuana and tobacco. This includes laryngitis (inflammation of the cords), which will produce hoarseness. The vocal range will also be affected and restricted.
What happens if you don’t take care of your voice?
Beware: If this happens too often, you can damage your vocal cords. Occasional vocal cord injury usually heals on its own. However, those who chronically overuse or misuse their voices run the risk of doing permanent damage, says voice care specialist Claudio Milstein, PhD.