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Complete Tips and Tricks for Throat Treatment for a Sweet Voice

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From time to time, singers are faced with common maladies afflicting their voices. They can often experience hoarseness, throat infections, and over-use of their voices can lead to the swelling of the vocal cord membranes. These throat issues can interfere with the projection and quality of their voice, lead to laryngitis and infections that can sabotage a successful performance. Caring for your voice does not take much effort. Neither does it take much effort to deal with throat issues that may arise that complicate your usual love voice.[[Image:S2ABK00020 -01.jpg|center|276px]]

==What Causes Sore Throat Among Singers?==
[[Image:S2ABK00020 -02.jpg|center|400px]]
*Dry air
*Abusing your singing voice - straining for the high or low notes. 
*Viral/bacterial infection.
*Acid reflux or regurgitation (heartburn) When this occurs at night, a person will likely wake up with a scratchy, raspy voice and sore throat.
*Social carelessness. These include smoking, drinking, and loud nightclubs that require you to yell to be heard. 
*Chemicals in your environment.  Any chemicals you use - even household chemicals, can compromise your singing voice. These include many laundry products, weed killers, pesticides, anything containing DEET, many paints, algaecides for the swimming pool, the list goes on.

==Celebrity Singers Who Experienced Throat Problems==

#British singer Adele - Hemorrhaged vocal cord. Vocal rest, surgery and more rest in 2011.
#Julie Andrews - Non-cancerous nodules removed in 1997, resulting in vocal cord damage. She stopped singing.
#Steven Tyler - Popped blood vessel on his right vocal cord. Surgery in 2006.
#Art Garfunkel of Simon & Garfunkel - Vocal Paresis. Surgery.
#John Mayer - Diagnosed with granuloma, or growth in his throat, 2011. Vocal rest, surgery and more rest.
#Celine Dion - Right vocal cord weakened due to a viral illness. Vocal rest.
#Elton John - Nodes on his vocal cord and had surgery.

==Common Symptoms that a Throat Problem is Starting==
[[Image:S2ABK00020 -03.jpg|center|400px]]
*Persistent breathiness.
*Tickling in the throat.
*Hoarseness.
*Soreness or pain.
*Unreliable voice - faltering, off key.
*Coughing.

==How to Avoid Throat Problems==
#Warm up your voice before you sing. [[Image:S2ABK00020 -04.jpg|right|180px]]
##Begin with a few deep, controlled breaths, followed by humming.
##Hum a favorite song, if you are not fond of scales.
##Make a sound of a squeaky door being opened. Use the "ee" sound to slide up and down your vocal range.
##Begin by singing gentle song, that doesn't require a wide range. Work up to more difficult songs from there.
##Stick within your vocal range. Be aware of your limits by not singing too high or too low. 
##When you are warmed up enough, you can start where you are comfortable, and extend from there.
#Never force your singing voice .You know you are singing the right way when it always feel easy, without feeling strained or forced. Any feeling of discomfort in the throat usually means you are straining your voice.
#Vocal hydration. [[Image:S2ABK00020-05.jpg|right|180px]] Vocal cords are delicate membranes. They dry out easily, especially if talking or singing in a dry, smoke-filled environment. 
##Take in a lot of fluids. Sprays and lozenges can also help.
##Steam inhalation is also good for adding moisture to your vocal cords. 
#Do not abuse your voice throughout the day. 
##Shun talking for longer periods of time or you will get a croaky voice.
##Avoid whispering. This is taxing to your voice and can result in tired vocal cords. 
##Do not shout when there are deafening noises, such as at concerts.
##Talking for prolonged periods is also a hazard for your voice. Give it enough rest to recover. Listen, instead.
#No milk while singing. [[Image:S2ABK00020-06.jpg|right|180px]] Dairy products should be avoided before a performance. It sets off phlegm and mucus build-up. Since mucus is thick, causing the singer to continually clear their throat, which is not good for the vocal cords. Clearing the throat is like scratching your vocal cords with your fingernails. 
#Don't drink ice cold water, or juice and soda three to four hours prior to singing. Cold temperatures restrain the vocal bands, deterring the vibrations necessary to resonate sound.
#Avoid alcoholic drinks. [[Image:S2ABK00020-07.jpg|right|178px]]
##The throat gets feels a bit numb and makes you feel uninhibited.
##You tend to push your voice to its limit by shouting, loud singing, singing too high or too low, or non-stop singing. 
##You may be enjoying the party, but your vocal cords are not. 
##You will likely pay the next morning with a headache, dehydration and loss of voice that extends for several days, even weeks.
#Manage your stress. It can be harmful to your voice. You tend to force, emitting sound that can damage the vocal fold. Relax, do deep breathing, and vocal exercises to help.
#No smoking. [[Image:S2ABK00020-08.jpg|right|180px]]
##Smoking affects your lungs and your breathing. 
##Your windpipe membranes become irritated, producing excess mucus and cough.
##Your vocal cords are not spared and become inflamed. Other health related problems are obviously associated with smoking.
##Some people, however, like the sultry, smoky, raspy sound they get when they smoke cigarettes. Not a reason to smoke, but still true.

==Tips and Tricks for Throat Relief and Treatments for a Sweet Voice==

*Get plenty of rest.

*Drink plenty of fluids. 
** Water (2-3 quarts daily).
**Gargle apple cider vinegar and honey. They contain antibacterial properties. Vinegar creates an environment that drives bacteria away. Don't drink or eat for the next few hours to allow it to take effect.
**Gargle warm salt water. The salt reduces the swelling and soothes the soreness.
**Gargle with saltwater and a capful of hydrogen peroxide. This also fights the bacteria in your mouth. <b> Don't swallow the solution.</b>

*Avoid drinking coffee, tea, cream and alcohol.

*Avoid all dairy products. Don't eat or drink any dairy products, as it produces phlegm.

*Supplement with Vitamin C tablets or Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables to protect your body from sickness and infection.
**Hot drinks can be prepared with lemon or blackcurrant added to hot water, then add honey. This is an additional source of Vitamin C and anti-viral properties. To soothe the throat, enjoy a hot ginger drink sweetened with honey.

*Avoid foods that can cause irritation to the throat.
**Acidic foods like tomatoes and tomato-based foods (spaghetti, pizza, catsup), citrus fruits, cranberries, pineapples.
**Spicy cuisines - Indian, Thai, Mexican, Italian and Chinese.
**Fatty foods - fried dishes.
**Peppermint.
**Caffeine, chocolates and sodas.

*Avoid eating very late at night. Stomach acidity can spill into your mouth and cause hoarseness. Signs are bad breath, prolonged warm ups and sour taste in the mouth.

*If coughing persists and injures the vocal cords, you can drink cough syrup, or use throat sprays and lozenges.

*Avoid unnecessary clearing of your throat. It can damage the vocal folds. Sip water or use a cough drop.

*Take Tylenol or Advil or other inflammatory medications.

*A handheld back or neck massager that vibrates on your face and head can be helpful for clearing up sinuses.

*Refrain from singing and minimize talking until you feel well. Allow the throat inflammation to subside for about a week.

*Avoid unnecessary conversations. Limit phone calls and chatting for the meantime.

*As you are recovering, start humming gently for about 5-10 minutes and slowly build up on some vocal exercises in your mid-range.
**Gradual expand your vocal range slowly - over several days. 
**Depending on the severity of your illness, and how experienced a singer you are, will determine the speed of your recovery.
**Hoarseness of voice can possibly recur, and two or more days are required for your rest.

<b>Give yourself a break. Have a complete rest from singing at least once a week. No practice, no singing. Take a rest at the end of the day after a hard work or a long gig. If your sore throat persists, see a doctor.</b>

==Questions and Answers==
===Celebrity singers sore throat remedies.===

Celebrity singers have been used to drinking warm ginger tea every time they have a performance.  It is used to calm tired vocal cords.  It is also rich in antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation.

Also, most celebrity singers will rest after a big performance.  Stress will slow down the healing process, and they know that. They also drink a lot of water in order to keep themselves well hydrated, especially their throat.

===I don't have a sweet voice. How can I improve my voice to be sweet, by applying drugs?===

''Complete tips and tricks of vocal cord treatment.''

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===My query is for voice clearing.===
''My voice is not clear. I just want to be a singer, but due to this type of voice, I cannot. I want to make my voice sour and sweet.''

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[[Category:Voice Lessons & Tips]]

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