How to Recover Your Vocals After Cough

For a vocalist, having a cough can be a major problem. Coughing, because of a cold or other medical condition, can cause hoarseness and damage to the vocal cords, which affects the quality and sound of the voice.

There are things that can be done to lessen the effects of a cough on the voice and to ensure the fastest recovery of your vocals after having a cough. Sinuses, colds and flu often cause a tickle in the throat that can eventually turn into a nagging cough. Mucus drainage is often the reason for your irritating cough as your body fights infection by producing mucus that rests on your vocal cords. A lack of moisture in your home worsens the cough because your throat and sinuses function best in humid conditions. Fluids, humidifiers and over-the-counter cold medication all help to alleviate cold symptoms and prevent coughing fits.

• Rest your vocal cords. When you have a cold or a condition causing acute or chronic coughing, the best way to recover your vocal cords and voice completely is to rest them. Talking, crying, shouting, whispering and singing make the problem worse and increase the amount of time for a full recovery.
• Stay hydrated. Water and caffeine-free tea keep you from becoming dehydrated, prevent dry throat and reduce the build up of mucus. Add a slice of lemon, lime or cucumber to your water pitcher if the lack of flavor in water is unappealing. Mix 1 to 2 tsp. of honey to your tea to reduce dry throat and prevent an irritated throat from worsening.
• Humidify the air to help recover vocals after a cough. Humidifying the air keeps vocal cords moist, which helps you to recover your voice and reduces hoarseness. It also helps with congestion that is related to a cold or flu.
• Use throat lozenges. Sugar-free throat lozenges are inexpensive and they suppress a cough. Over-the-counter cough medication helps to suppress a cough but should only be used as directed. Medication temporarily relieves symptoms but is not a cure. Visit your doctor if your cough persists after seven days.
• Practice patience. It takes time to recover the vocals fully. It could take days after coughing for vocals to recover. If voice problems continue for more than a couple of weeks, treatment of other more serious conditions such as laryngitis, bronchitis and allergies, might be necessary.
• Avoid inhaled irritants. Smoke, cleaning products and allergens such as pet dander can cause an allergic reaction that results in wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing. Reduce exposure to irritants to prevent coughing.