Voice Tips

Weekly Teaching Tip – Nov. 10, 2014
by Dr. Steven Sims, ENT

1. EAT FRESH
Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Echinacea and Goldenseal can help support your immune system. Zinc also helps to lessen symptoms too, but good nutrition will give your body what it needs to fight
infections.

2. DON’T SCREAM
It may get you more attention and it’s fun at a ball game, but its harmful to vocal folds. Only scream if there is an emergency.

3. AVOID SMOKE
Smoke irritates the vocal folds, so avoid firsthand AND secondhand exposure

4. GET PLENTY OF REST
Lots of processes in the body take place during sleep. When you’re sleep deprived, your immune system doesn’t function as well.

5. WARM-UP THE VOICE
We’re speaking figuratively and literally. You’d never try to run a marathon without stretching and warming up. Warm non-alcoholic beverages are also soothing. A steamer can help

6. STAY HYDRATED
The voice box works best when it’s well lubricated. Running around in the heat can leave you tired and dry. 8-10 glasses of water per day can really help!

7. SEE YOUR VOICE DOCTOR
Reflux, allergies, viral infection can cause chronic symptoms, these will require treatment. If you smoke, it is even more important to have your voice box checked out! Hoarseness that lasts more than two weeks should be evaluated.

8. TAKE NAPS
Just like in kindergarten when we needed to rest. For every hour of talking, take 5-10 minutes to be silent and give your voice a little nap during the day.

9. LOVE YOURSELF
Love yourself just as you are! We don’t need another imitation of someone already out there. We need the unique, real version of you.

10. CHOOSE WISELY
Not everything that looks good to you is good for you!

H. Steven Sims, MD
Director
www.ChicagoVoiceDoc.com