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vocal cords

I got sick about a week ago, and I lost my voice. I now have it back good enough to speak, but I can’t seem to hit the higher notes when singing. This is bad, because in a week I have to sing at church in a musical in which I have a big solo. Is there anything else I can do, other than drinking lots of water and hot water with lemon juice to get my vocal cords working?

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Answer #1

Likely, your epithelial tissue that lines your vocal folds is worn from lack of lube due to the illness. Regaining your lost voice usually is simply a matter of time. First, keep silent to help your vocal folds heal. Also, drink a lot of water to help bring back the body’s natural ability to produce lubrication for the jelly-like matrix vocal folds. Using humidifiers or breathing steam can bring some hydration to the sinuses and throat. Hot water and warm drinks can be soothing. Honey or tea/lozenges made from slippery elm tree bark (e.g., Thayers Slippery Elm Lozenges) contain a gooey substance meant to be soothing. Avoid acidic foods such as tea, citrus fruits such as lemon, tomatoes, and chocolate to prevent acid reflux further damaging the vocal folds. Avoid hot toddies because the alcohol is dehydrating for the throat and the tea and lemon or orange promotes acid reflux. Avoid talking, whispering, and loud throat clearing since they put extra stress on the inflamed and irritated tissues of the vocal folds. Nigroids expectorant lozenge for singers might help curb the urge to throat clear. Also, gargling with salt water to soothe your throat and clear it of mucus.

Answer #2

Dont try to sing for a couple of days and dont talk so much - your voice just needs som rest and since you just recently lost your lost voice you should try to use at little as possible, and by singing and reaching for those high notes you’re only making it worse.

If I have a soar throat I usually drink tea with honey in it, it usually helps.

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