To be heard and to interact, voice plays a vital role in our daily lives and is basically a gift for us. Therefore, to acknowledge its importance, raise awareness about it, and highlight this phenomenon, World Voice Day is observed on 16th April every year, globally. This year, the theme is “One world, many voices”.
The day was initially recognized as Brazilian Voice Day, on 16th April 1999, by the Brazilian Society of Laryngology and Voice, under the chairmanship of Dr. Nedio Stephen. Later, in 2002, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) decided to celebrate worldwide and it came to be known as World Voice Day.
Causes Of Voice Problems
According to the National National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), America, here are some of the main reasons that cause voice problems:
- Upper respiratory infections
- Inflammation caused by gastroesophageal reflux (sometimes called acid reflux, heartburn, or GERD)
- Vocal misuse and overuse
- Growths on the vocal folds, such as vocal nodules or laryngeal papillomatosis
- Cancer of the larynx
- Neurological diseases (such as spasmodic dysphonia or vocal fold paralysis)
- Psychological trauma.
“Most voice problems can be reversed by treating the underlying cause or through a range of behavioral and surgical treatments”.
Practices To Keep Voice Problems At Bay:
- Seek medical advice if you have problems like shortness of breath, sinusitis, etc.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol and quit smoking
- Keep away from sudden temperature changes in the environment. If you are stepping out in a warmer temperature from a cooler one, wait for a while and then go
- To have a good voice, do not inhale through the mouth and never sleep directly below or in front of a fast fan or cooler
- For the voice to be proper, it is important that the food and beverages you consume are healthy and correct. Irregular routines and unhealthy eating habits can cause problems like reflux
- During severe cold, severe allergies, or nose-throat infection, do not practice any voice-related exercises. Try not to speak for more than 45 minutes at a time.
- Avoid stress because both physical and mental stress affects our voice. Therefore, have a good night’s sleep and relax.
- Avoid talking loudly or shouting at the top of your voice
- Seek medical advice if you face any problem with speech or if there is a change in voice
Also Read: Health Benefits Of The King Of Fruits: MANGO!
Therefore, having a voice to communicate and speak out your feelings and thoughts to other people is one of the greatest gifts we have as humans. Unhealthy lifestyles and dietary habits can lead to certain voice problems. Hence, to maintain a proper voice, indulging in healthier practices is extremely important.
