Filipinos are well-known for their love of music – no matter what the mood or occasion, from barangay singing competitions to all-night karaoke sessions, it’s not unusual to find Pinoys more than happy to burst into song. Of course, as with any form of musical instrument, great care needs to be taken for maintenance, and the voice is no exception. Irritating the vocal folds, whether from poor technique or overuse can lead to sore throat, which will keep you off the stage until it heals.

Here are some easy, cost-effective ways to keep your voice in tip-top shape!

REMEMBER TO WARM UP
Like any other muscles, you’re going to need to warm up your vocal folds before putting them through a musical workout. Don’t worry, you don’t need to do any opera-style vocalizations – just do some low-range humming for 5-10 minutes, and you’ll be fine! After that, you can do 5-10 minutes of an “ahhhhh” sound. Be sure to do this a couple of times a day when you foresee heavy voice use, or at least 15 minutes before it’s time to dazzle your audience.

KNOW YOUR RANGE
Now, everyone loves a good Queen or Celine Dion song, but if your throat hurts from the way you’re singing, either you’re doing it wrong, or it just isn’t meant to be!Singing in your natural tone should be natural and freeflowing – your ideal vocal range should comprise the range between the lowest and the lowest highest notes you can manage to produce comfortably and consistently.

ALWAYS STAY HYDRATED
It’s important to keep the layers of your vocal folds moist to stay healthy. Food and drink that’s high in caffeine can cause drying or irritation, so you’ll be better off with water. The traditional minimum of 6-8 glasses throughout the day should do the trick, especially if you plan on singing for an extended period of time.

LEARN TO RELAX
With today’s fast-paced lifestyles and every challenges, it’s getting harder and harder to avoid stress. Getting enough sleep at night and proper exercise a few times a week are a great help, while also avoiding placing excessive stress on your vocal folds caused by shouting. Keep in mind that there’s nothing wrong with taking some time out to take care of yourself, and if you decide to reward yourself with a karaoke session, then we are all for it!

In case you do get a sore throat from one ballad too many, you can always turn the natural sore throat spray, which relieves with the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of Chamomile Extract, Methyl Salicylate, Peppermint, Sage, Dwarf Pine-Needle, Bergamot, Anise, and Cineol oils (Kamillosan M Spray).

IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

ASC REF. CODE A097N121019K

SOURCES:
https://www.healthline.com/health/home-remedies-for-laryngitis
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taking-care-your-voice
https://www.successfulsinging.com/voice-care/sore-throat-relief-for-singers-and-vocalists/
https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20190103/secrets-of-the-voice-pros-sore-throat-soothers

For those of us living in the tropics, the ‘Ber months are always something to look forward to because they not only signal the start of the Christmas season, but they usually herald a reprieve from the hot weather we get during the rest of the year.

Unfortunately, with the shift in weather comes an increase in respiratory-related ailments, such as colds and sore throat. Here are some tips to protect your throat and have a happy holiday!

1. BREATHE THROUGH YOUR NOSE
   For the sporty among us, exercise doesn’t stop just because of a drop in temperature. Unfortunately, if you’re running in the early hours, the colder-than-usual air can dry out your throat, causing irritation and sore throat associated with a lack of hydration. In addition to staying hydrated, you can try breathing through your nose -rather than your mouth- while exercising.
2. TAKE WARM DRINKS
   While it’s long been Chinese practice to drink warm beverages, Filipinos prefer the refreshing feeling of an ice cold drink. When you start to feel the onset of a sore throat, it may be time to consider taking warm or heated water to help reduce the risk of sore throat. If the cause of your sore throat is a cold, this can help with mucus flow by keeping your throat from drying out.
3. AVOID IRRITANTS
   It goes without saying that smoking is bad for you, but you’ll also want to avoid secondhand sources of irritants, such as smoke or vapor from vapers and smokers in your immediate surroundings. This also goes for the air pollution that accompanies one’s daily commutes. If absolutely unavoidable, consider wearing a mask to protect your throat from airborne irritants. During the holiday months, this can range from increased car exhaust from holiday shoppers to the aftermath of your favorite fireworks.
4. PROTECT YOURSELF FROM INFECTUOUS SOURCES
   With colds going around, you’ll want to protect yourself from germs, as one of the leading causes of sore throat is viral germs from those around you, such as officemates or family. In addition to avoid getting directly sneezed on or coughed at, you can practice regular handwashing with soap. Use of hand sanitizers can also help you to avoid catching someone else’s germs at work. As much as possible in the office, try not to touch any part of your face and remember, stay hydrated!
5. THE POWER OF REST
   Between Simbang Gabi and loads of Christmas parties, opportunities for rest will be few and far between, so you’ll have to make time for it! Proper rest replenishes the immune system, allowing it to build up resistance against all the seasonal colds and coughs going around that can cause sore throat.

When you start showing the symptoms of sore throat, you can turn to the sore throat spray made with Chamomile Extract, Methyl Salicylate, Peppermint, Sage, Dwarf Pine-Needle, Bergamot, Anise, and Cineol oils (Kamillosan M Spray) for natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial relief!

IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

ASC REF. NO. A097N121019K

 

SOURCES:
https://www.browardcenta.com/blog/post/prevent-sore-throats-this-winter.html
https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/sore-throat-treatment
https://www.virginiaent.com/blog/chronic-sore-throat-causes-skip-this-winter
https://www.texashealthflowermound.com/how-cold-weather-affects-your-ear-nose-throat/