How do you get rid of a hoarse voice?

Question

i yelled a bit on monday but my voice is still hoarse. I dont feel sick or anything like that. My voice is still hoarse... it doesnt hurt to talk but it doesnt seem to be going away..any suggestions?

Answer 1

You don't have to be banished from the choir forever. There are many ways to treat hoarseness and get your instrument back in tune.

Rest your voice. Total silence is the most healing gift you can give your worn-out voice, says Howard Levine, M.D., director of the Mount Sinai Nasal Sinus Center in Cleveland. At the least, avoid the extremes—whispering and shouting. "Whispering puts tremendous stress on the vocal cords," Dr. Levine says. "If you must speak, you're better off using a soft voice."

Humidify, inside and out. "Inhaling the steam from a good old hot shower is one of the best treatments," says Glenn Bunting, a senior speech pathologist at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston. Or try a steam inhaler. "It's like getting a facial," he says. You also might consider using a humidifier in your bedroom to offset the damage from dry indoor heat, he adds.

You need to get enough water inside your body, too. He suggests this guideline for healthy water intake: Increase your water consumption until your urine is clear. If you're taking vitamins like beta-carotene or medications that change the color of your urine, then simply consume 10 to 12 eight-ounce glasses of water daily.

Invite a chicken to lunch. If your hoarseness is from a cold, try chicken soup. "There's a good scientific basis for chicken soup," says Dr. Levine. The heat creates humidity, and the garlic is a good mucus thinner. If chicken soup isn't your favorite dish, he suggests taking a garlic supplement. Follow the manufacturer's suggestions for the recommended amount.

Thin secretions. Robitussin syrup is good for thinning out mucus, says Dr. Levine. But avoid antihistamines, which have a drying effect. A decongestant can also help reduce the flow of mucus, he says, but if you have a heart condition, check with your doctor before taking them. Certain oral decongestants may increase blood pressure.

Avoid aspirin. If your cold has produced a lot of inflammation, aspirin can cause more bruising of the vocal cords, says Dr. Levine, which can make your hoarseness worse. Choose a nonaspirin pain reliever instead.

Control your cough. Use a cough suppressant and expectorant to prevent coughing from further damaging your vocal cords, says C. Thomas Yarington, M.D., clinical professor of otolaryngology at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Don't gargle. Contrary to popular belief, gargling with mouthwash actually makes hoarseness worse, says David Alessi, M.D., an otolaryngologist in Los Angeles. Most mouthwashes contain alcohol, which irritates mucous membranes and dehydrates vocal cords. The gargled liquid doesn't actually get anywhere near the vocal cords, and the action of gargling itself is harmful. It will bang your vocal cords together and increase swelling.

Skip that drink. The alcohol in your cocktail has the same drying effect as the alcohol in a mouthwash, Dr. Alessi adds. If you're hoarse, soothe your throat with a nonalcoholic beverage instead.

Pass on the caffeine. "Stay away from caffeine—in coffee, sodas or chocolate," says Bunting. Caffeine is a drying agent, which won't help those inflamed vocal cords.

Answer 2

Resting your voice is a very good idea. Boiled ginger will also give your voice back for awhile.

Done right, the gingerroot is sliced and a few (8-12) slices are boiled in a small pan of water on the stove. Strain out the gingerroot and then sweeten the liquid with a little honey if you need to to get it down. Drink it warm or hot.

If you don't have gingerroot and can't find any (most grocery stores carry it in the produce dept, and it's not even expensive because you only buy a little) you can use powdered ginger from the spice rack. Put a teaspoon of ginger into a large mug (half a teaspoon if all your mugs are small) and fill with water and microwave for 2-3 minutes. Let it boil a little. Sweeten with honey if needs be, then drink it.

Answer 3

Like the last person said, keep the talking to a minimum, keep doing what your doing. It is mostly a thing that you have to wait out. Also, I dont know if this really works or not, But at some music stores, I have seen sprays that is suposed to make your voice sound smooth. one of those might help you, but I really dont know for sure. Also, Take some sudafed. It will clear out your nose and throat, if it's congestion. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

None painful hoarseness can be due to singer's nodes or to allergies. My voice get very hoarse at times and I have been examined by an ENT man who gave me antihistamines.

Answer 5

gargle with warm salt water two to three times a day, and do not drink any thing cold. drink hot or warm water with lemon and honey.

Answer 6

you may have irritated the tissue. tea with honey sometimes helps. you could also try marshmallow root tea, it coats mucous membranes, of which your voice is one. not the best tasting stuff i am afraid. and don't whisper, it makes it worse.

Answer 7

a bit of hot water mixed w/ honey & lemon juice.

Answer 8

gargle with salt water and then suck on a lemon.

Answer 9

hot sauce

Answer 10

lemon juice