By Mitch Rice
Singing can be a great way to express yourself. But chances are you may have experienced a sore throat at one time or another. Sore throats can range from mild to severe and can cause irritation, discomfort, and even difficulty speaking or singing.
If you’ve ever experienced a sore throat after singing, you know how uncomfortable it can be. While there are many potential causes for a sore throat from singing, the good news is that you can also do many things to prevent and treat it.
4 Causes of Sore Throat from Singing and What You Can Do About It
Here are the four possible causes of a sore throat after singing and their solutions.
1. Vocal Strain
One of the most common causes of a sore throat from singing is vocal strain. When you sing, your vocal cords come together to create sound. Over time, this can lead to vocal fatigue or injury if not done properly. Straining your vocal cords can also happen when you sing too loudly or try to reach notes that are too high for your range.
Vocal strain can also cause inflammation of the vocal cords and throat muscles—both of which can lead to a sore throat after singing.
To avoid straining your vocal cords, make sure to:
- warm up your voice before singing
- practice breathing exercises
- stay within your comfort zone while singing
Severe vocal strain can be prevented and treated with proper vocal technique. This includes:
- maintaining good posture
- proper breath control
- breathing deeply from the diaphragm instead of shallowly from the chest
- using proper intonation (the pitch changes in your voice)
- using correct vowel formation
- avoiding excessive vibrato (the wavering sound that professional singers sometimes use)
Most importantly, take breaks between songs so that your vocal cords have time to rest and recover.
2. Dehydration
When you sing, you use more breath than normal, which means you also lose more moisture in your throats than usual. When your body is dehydrated, the saliva in your mouth becomes thicker and less lubricating. And this will make it harder for your vocal cords to vibrate smoothly while you sing.
Additionally, dry air can cause scratchy throat and lung irritations. This can lead to a sore throat after vocalizing for an extended period of time.
To avoid this issue, drink plenty of water before and during rehearsals or performances. It’s also important to avoid sugary drinks like soda or energy drinks because these can further dehydrate us.
3. Allergies and Illnesses
Allergies can be responsible for causing an irritated throat. If this often happens to you when you sing, consider using an air purifier in the room where you practice and perform. If necessary, take antihistamines before singing.
Illnesses such as colds or flu can also cause you to experience hoarseness when you sing due to congestion or other symptoms associated with being sick such as coughing and sneezing. In this case, vocal rest is the best option. Give yourself time off from singing until you feel better again. This will help ensure that their voices stay healthy for many performances in the future.
But if you suspect you suffer from strep throat, consult a doctor. Find out what’s really going on inside your body and get advice on how best to treat it.
4. Environmental Factors
The most common environmental factor that affects your voice is air pollution. Particles in the air can irritate your throat and lungs.
Even if you’re indoors with air conditioning or heating on, dust particles may still float around. And that could affect your respiratory system and lead to a sore throat after singing.
Poor air quality due to smog or dust particles can lead to coughing, hoarseness, and even bacterial infection in your throat. This is because the particles enter your respiratory tract and cause inflammation in your vocal cords.
Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to reduce the risk of a sore throat from singing due to environmental factors.
- Avoid singing in environments with poor air quality, such as smoky clubs or factories with lots of dust particles in the air.
- If you must sing in these environments, wear a mask or scarf over your mouth and nose to help filter out some of the pollutants in the air.
- Stay hydrated and keep a bottle of water with you while singing
- Try to find an area with more comfortable temperatures and higher humidity levels before you start singing.
Always be mindful of environmental factors that could irritate your respiratory system while performing or practicing vocals.
Final Thoughts
No matter what the cause of your irritated throat and hoarse voice after singing may be, there are sore throat remedies you can try. That way, you can continue belting out those tunes without pain.
Additionally, don’t forget to hire a qualified vocal coach who can teach you how to sing well and advise you on ensuring good vocal health.
If all else fails and you still find yourself dealing with post-singing pain in your throat, consider consulting with a doctor for further guidance on alleviating any bacterial or viral infection and other underlying health issues. With just a few changes in lifestyle habits and proper medical attention where needed, you’ll soon be back on stage with no pain in sight!
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment, medical or other purposes.
