We cheered and shouted on June 2 when the Uganda Cranes beat Nigeria 2 – 1 in the Africa Cup soccer qualifiers. The most likely thing to lose that day was the voice. And up to Monday, many fans were still unable to speak. Their voices had gone.
By Halima Shaban and Jackie Nake
We cheered and shouted on June 2 when the Uganda Cranes beat Nigeria 2 – 1 in the Africa Cup soccer qualifiers. The most likely thing to lose that day was the voice. And up to Monday, many fans were still unable to speak. Their voices had gone.
Dr Gregory Tumweheire, a Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) senior consultant at Mulago Hospital, refers to this condition as dysphonia.
“When hoarse, the voice may sound breathy, raspy, strained or there may be changes in volume (loudness) or pitch (how high or low the voice is) and sometimes one experiences pain in the throat.â€
What happens? Tumweheire says a voice is produced by vibration of the vocal folds. The vocal folds are two bands of smooth muscle tissue that lie opposite each other. They are located in the larynx or voice box. The larynx is positioned between the base of the tongue and the top of the trachea (windpipe), the passageway to the lungs.
The changes in sound are usually due to disorders related to the vocal folds, which are the sound-producing parts of the voice box. While breathing, the vocal folds remain apart. When speaking or singing, they come together and as air leaves the lungs, they vibrate, producing sound.
“The more tightly the vocal folds are held and the smaller the vocal folds, the more rapidly they vibrate. More rapid vibration makes a higher voice pitch. Swelling lumps or any illness or process that affects the vocal cord in the voice box and does not allow the vocal cords to close completely, will result in a hoarse voice,†Tumweheire says.
Causes of voice loss Apart from excessive straining of the voice as was the case with the Cranes fans, other causes include inflammation of the larynx (laryngitis), allergies, inhaling irritating substances, heavy smoking and drinking (especially in combination), coughing, viral illness, gastric reflux (acid from the stomach irritating the voice box), overall weakness caused by other diseases and tonsillitis.
Other causes are ingestion of a caustic (poisonous – corrosive) liquid, foreign body in the oesophagus or trachea, infectious mononucleosis, medicine side effects, post-surgery paralysis and cancer of the voice box (laryngeal cancer).
Gaining your voice back Dr Aldain Kwarikunda says the solution depends on the cause of the voice loss.
In case of hoarseness as a result of shouting, no medication is required. The voice returns after some time.
“The healing process may take several days. Don’t talk unless it is absolutely necessary and avoid whispering. Whispering can strain the vocal cords more than speaking does,†he says.
When to see a doctor Tumweheire says anyone who experiences vocal change or hoarseness for more than two weeks should be examined by a physician, preferably an ENT specialist. But you need to seek professional treatment earlier if there is difficulty in breathing or swallowing.
Treatment Health care practitioners will prescribe antibiotics for laryngitis resulting from a bacterial infection, antihistamines or inhaled steroids for laryngitis resulting from allergies Kwarikunda advises that you can prevent voice loss or assist speedy recovery by drinking plenty of water, avoid tea, coffee, cream and alcohol before strenuous cheering as these can have a dehydrating effect and taking Vitamin C tablets or eating fruits/vegetables rich in Vitamin C to aid the bodies’ natural defences.
“Hot lemon and honey or blackcurrant both contain vitamin C and anti-viral properties and fresh ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties,†he said. “Grate a little ginger and add it to hot water, sweeten with honey if requiredâ€.