Great news for Adele – the singer is officially on the road to recovery after her throat surgery last week, following a vocal hemorrhage that forced her to cancel all remaining tour dates for the year. “I’m doing really well, on the mend, super happy, relaxed and very positive with it all,” she wrote on her blog. “The operation was a success and I’m just chilling out now until I get the all clear from my doctors.”
When the news of her injury first broke, we breezed through a few tips for caring for your voice. But when it comes to your health, the more information you have, the better. And especially as the winter months begin, we want you to be in tip-top shape as you prepare for your holiday performances! But if you’ve already fallen victim to a cold or flu this season, don’t let it cramp your style.
Here, Joanna Cazden, a Los Angeles-based speech pathologist, discusses vocal care for when you’re feeling under the weather:
The common cold — what we in health care call an upper respiratory infection or URI — is caused by a type of virus that likes cold, dry conditions. You can ward off some URIs by washing your hands frequently when in public places, and keeping your immune system strong with good nutrition, exercise, rest, and social support. But a further recommendation, especially for singers, is to keep your breathing environment humid rather than dry.
Running a vaporizer at night will make you less susceptible to colds, and more comfortable if you catch one. Take longer showers and baths; if you have access to a steam room, use it! Keep a hot beverage near your workspace, and sniff the steam in between sips. Steam soothes and protects your entire airway, and also helps clear extra phlegm.
If a URI bug does make its way into your throat, the vocal cords can become inflamed. Swollen cords vibrate more slowly, which makes your pitch lower. The vocal cords may also vibrate unevenly, leading you to sound hoarse or rough. Other vocal symptoms of a URI can include a smaller pitch range (inflamed cords don’t stretch as far) and less control over loudness (that all-or-nothing honk.)
Extra congestion in the nose or sinuses can temporarily block resonance, making your voice sound dull. Chest congestion or overall fatigue can diminish breath support. Repeated coughing can irritate otherwise healthy vocal cords. Under any of these conditions, pushing or tensing to try to sound “normal” will give you more trouble in the long run. Instead, a few days of relative silence — plus sleep, fluids, and steam — will help your voice recover quickly.
Avoid excessive use of over-the-counter decongestants, because while you feel more comfortable, your airway will be drier and more vulnerable to infection. Pain-killing throat lozenges also tend to be drying, and may tempt you to use your voice more than is wise. Drink steamy beverages instead, and use that vaporizer at night.
If you’re fluey and weak but the show must go on, warm up your voice with extra care. See an ear-nose-throat specialist if necessary; some prescription inhalants can knock back an acute laryngeal inflammation. But don’t push your luck by constantly singing when ill.
We hope these tips help – and remember, there’s nothing wrong with resting when you don’t feel well! Instead of pushing yourself (and your voice), think of your health and take a break. Your singing teacher can help with further advice and recommendations, so make sure you speak with him/her if you’re feeling under the weather. (Need help finding a voice teacher near you? Click here to search by your zip code!
Suzy S.