damaged vocal chords

[Vitya]

does anyone here have any experience with messed up vocal chords from acid reflux.

i am now on a 100 percent raw diet with tons of green smoothies. i know that will heal me over time, but are there any other remedies in the meantime?

i've tried aloe juice before, and i'm also using raw manuka honey as a healing catalyst, which seems to help.

but it really hurts to talk, so i've been getting as much vocal rest as possible.

ideas?


thanks,
Vitya

[aelle]

Resting is good! Do you find green smoothies helpful? I find them quite irritating for my mouth and throat myself (in a perfectly acceptable way since I don't have an additional medical condition, but you do).

I am a singer and the dietary changes I make to protect my vocal chords at critical times are:
- no dairy
- no spices
- no foods that promote canker sores, such as walnuts, hazelnuts, chocolate...
- no sugary stuff. Honey may soothe in the moment, but over time it may irritate your throat. Certainly don't sweeten your tea or coffee or drink soda.
- plenty of fluids, hot teas and herbal teas in particular.

Also, stay healthy. A cold is no big deal in regular times and even boosts your immune system, but if your vocal chords are already damaged it's really not the right time to get sick. Stay warm and dry, air your house well and wash your hands often. Consider using hand sanitizer until your throat is healed.

Finally, you may find it useful to work with a vocal coach for a few sessions once you start healing, especially if you need your voice for public speaking or singing. You will learn breathing and posture techniques that allow you to use your voice with the least stress on your vocal chords, and allow you to protect them over the years.

[Vitya]

thanks aelle, all good suggestions.

i'm a singer too, and this is probably the worst thing that could happen to me.

over the years, i've trained myself, and have learned how to sing the right way, both raspy and clean. i got to such an amazing level with my voice, my control was incredible, and then, bam. digestive problems, gerd, and now it's gone.

without a doubt the most painful time of my life right now... a dark night of the soul.

btw, where is your avatar from?

[aelle]

It's a painting of Lady Godiva, medieval feminist and social justice fighter, and patron saint of engineers

[cheesedip1]

I'm a singer too. I can sing fine, it's jsut lately i've had issues with my throat chakra. It's rather annoying having too much gas so it feels harder to breathre.

Btw, this has been going on for over a year and a half, so I'm really trying to find a solution.

@Viyta- Hoe you get better soon! =)

[Vitya]

cheesedip1, thanks for the well wishes man

here are some things that drastically improved my singing:

power walking several miles a day-- you absolutely have to keep your cardio in check. it really will help with your breath control.

building up core strength in my abs-- remember, you sing from your core, so if your core is strong, and you expand your lung capacity with cardio, everything comes out effortlessly.

it's not an easy fix, but i guarantee you that will help.

[aelle]

What kind of singing do you guys do? I'm a choral singer, mostly classical stuff. Currently rehearsing for a semi-professional performance of Handel's Messiah this coming Saturday!

Originally Posted by Vitya

here are some things that drastically improved my singing:

power walking several miles a day-- you absolutely have to keep your cardio in check. it really will help with your breath control.

building up core strength in my abs-- remember, you sing from your core, so if your core is strong, and you expand your lung capacity with cardio, everything comes out effortlessly.

Good tips. Proper diaphragmatic breathing is HUGE for vocal health. All your /h/ sounds (which separate most notes) should come from your abdomen (through a brief contraction of your core), not your throat.
When a phrase starts with a vowel, you should also start with a /h/ or silent /h/, not a glottal like when we speak (a glottal is when the back of your throat closes briefly, it gives vowels a crisp sound but it's hard on your voice).

Resistance breathing exercises have been great to increase my lung capacity. A very simple one is to inhale with a dropped jaw, fishy lips and a finger raised in front of your mouth, counting to 10. Then blow through pursed lips counting to 10. Same thing counting to 9, and making sure you get the same amount of air in and out. Go all the way down to one. Then back up to 10 again. The first few times you way want to keep a chair nearby as it's an unusual amount of oxygen to inhale!

[wanzulfikri]

Well, I guess you've tried the honey. I personally love honey as a way to relieve my sore throat because of singing.