Of what use is a politician who cannot give a speech, a singer who cannot sing, or a teacher who cannot teach? Voice disorders can sometimes seriously restrict a person’s everyday activities, even costing them their employment. If a patient is suffering from voice problems, a good option would be to consult an ear, nose and throat doctor, who may be able to help treat the underlying cause.
Voice disorders can have severe psychological and physical repercussions. People with voice problems may be unable to participate in social activities. Their interaction with friends, family and business contacts, can become limited to written communications or digital media. More commonly experienced by people over the age of 60, the occurrence of voice disorders is increasing, as people begin to live well into their 90’s.
ENT London is a premier clinic in London that offers accurate diagnosis and treatment to patients with voice problems. Some of the causes of voice disorders are trauma, tumours, polyps, nodules, vocal cord paralysis, multiple sclerosis, thyroid problems and vocal cord swelling. Patients with voice disorders can also suffer from breathing problems, fatigue and light-headedness.
In serious cases, voice problems may result in malfunctions of the vocal chord, causing food to get stuck in the trachea. This can lead to choking, and even death if not treated as a medical emergency.
Certain preventative measures can be taken to reduce the chances of developing voice problems in the future. These include:
- Drinking adequate level of fluids: It is recommended for the average individual to drink between seven to nine glasses of water a day. Individuals who remain dehydrated for long periods of time are more likely to suffer from voice disorders.
- Regular warm-ups: Those who use their vocal chords regularly, like singers and public speakers should do vocal warm-up exercises before they start work.
- Avoid smoking: Cigarettes and cigars are not good for your vocal tract, lungs and throat. They are one of the most preventable causes of voice problems.
- Balanced diet: Consume a diet rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grain cereals. These foods contain certain minerals and vitamins that improve the condition of the throat.
- Use a humidifier: Avoid dry climates that are artificially created. Use a humidifier to increase humidity in a room.
At ENT London, we are dedicated to offering the highest quality ENT care to all our patients. ENT London is run by eminent ear, nose and throat doctors, and has built up an exceptional standing over the years.
ENT London is one of UK’s leading centres for the treatment of voice disorders, and can be contacted on 0207 580 6970.