Cold and Cough Season Alert – Have you ever wondered why, as soon as you catch a cold, your voice suddenly becomes thick, hoarse, or completely out of tune? It feels as if someone else is speaking, not you! We commonly call this “sore throat,” but it’s actually the result of a very interesting “scientific” process going on inside your body. Let’s understand why a cold plays such tricks on our voice.
1. The Real Villain: Laryngitis
When you have a viral or bacterial infection, its effects aren’t limited to the nose or throat. It directly attacks the nerves that produce our voice, called the vocal cords.
What happens: These vocal cords are located in our throat (voice box). When we speak, the passage of air causes them to vibrate rapidly, producing sound.
Effects of the disease: These vocal cords become inflamed due to the infection. In medical terms, this is called laryngitis.
The result: Inflammation thickens and thickens these cords. This thickening slows their vibration, much like a thick guitar string producing a deeper sound. This slowing down of vibrations makes your voice sound deep, hoarse, or heavy.
2. Double Attack: The Play of Mucus
The thick mucus produced during a cold is also a major contributor to voice distortion.
How it affects your voice: This mucus forms a thin layer over the vocal cords. This layer prevents them from vibrating freely.
The result: Your voice becomes hoarse, cracked, and you feel the need to clear your throat frequently. Sometimes, even after the cold clears, the mucus persists, making it take some time for your voice to return to normal.
3. Cough: The Enemy of the Vocal Cords
When we have a sore throat, we often make a mistake—coughing repeatedly or clearing our throats forcefully.
Why it’s bad: This habit puts excessive pressure on the vocal cords and strains them further.
Consequences: This pressure further increases inflammation, making your voice sound even more tired, weak, or hoarse. Therefore, avoid coughing or clearing your throat forcefully.
3 Fact-Checked Remedies for Relief
To reduce sore throats and restore your voice quickly, make sure to follow these three steps:
Plenty of Hydration and Humidity:
Tip: Drink plenty of lukewarm water throughout the day. Also, use a room humidifier or inhale warm steam.
Benefit: This reduces throat swelling and thins out accumulated mucus, allowing it to drain easily, providing relief to the vocal cords.
Give your throat complete rest (Vocal Rest is Key):
Tip: This is crucial. Try to remain completely silent for some time.
Why: Remember, speaking softly or whispering can tire the vocal cords just as much as shouting. Therefore, it’s best to give them complete rest.
Warning Sign (When to See a Doctor):
When to See a Doctor: If your voice doesn’t improve after 2 to 3 weeks, don’t ignore it.
Cause: This could be a sign of a deeper problem, such as nodules on the vocal cords or acid reflux. In such a case, consult an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist) immediately.
