Singers and Phlegm

[WayWicked]

Posted: 8/3/04 at 3:22pm

I was wondering if any singers here have a phlegm problem like mine.

When I wake up and for about the next three hours, my chords will have phlegm on them. It's especially annoying when I have to sing in the morning or early auditions. I can sing thru it, but you can hear there's something on my chords. Later in the day and evening, it's all gone!

I drink water and have tried Mucinex (phlehm expectorant) and I'm sure it helps a bit but the darn phlegm is still there!

I appreciate any helpful hints or suggestions! Thanks :)

[ItSucks2BAveQ]

Posted: 8/3/04 at 3:25pm

Thats attractive. You should tell that at parties!

[Plum]

Posted: 8/3/04 at 3:27pm

Very helpful, AveQ. Nice.

Anyway, I'm no expert on this subject, but you should probably avoid dairy. And you might want to sleep with a humidifier in your room.

[Seany]

Posted: 8/3/04 at 6:19pm

I have that problem sometimes. You're not alone. It happens to a lot of people. You should have to warm up quite a bit, it goes away. Gargle plenty of mouthwash, drink water...you should be good to go.

[venticelli]

Posted: 8/3/04 at 7:21pm

this does happen to an awful lot of singers. I've heard the same advice about avoiding dairy - not sure though. have you try gargling with salt?

[MrsPooh523]

Posted: 8/3/04 at 7:26pm

There is a product you can purchase over the counter- It is called Alkalol, and it is a mucus thinner. It is packaged in what looks like a hydrogen peroxide bottle- Gargle with warm water... Doing a thorough warm up with lots of humming up and down the scales will help clear things up a bit. Drink lots of water. Stay away from milk products before singing, and a good nights sleep will definitely assist you. I hope this helps. If this is a persistent problem, you may want to consider seeing an ENT to "scope" your chords. (A tube with a camera is inserted into the nose and goes down into the larynx to view the vocal chords to check for Nodes etc...)Any questions feel free to email me- [e-mail]- Lori Beth

[starlight2]

Posted: 8/3/04 at 7:51pm

it can also be caused by acid-reflux and there are meds for that too. but get checked by a Dr. soon, too much of that can damage vocal chords with the acid build-up over time. Also, a sauna,or hot shower breathing deeply, or boiling water in a pan, then place it on a table with a towel over your head and breathe deeply for a few minutes while warming up. that is all I can think of now, good luck.

[WayWicked]

Posted: 8/3/04 at 8:09pm

Thanks to all you for your helpful suggestions! I will try Alkalol.

I also would like to get check for acid refulx..but I'm in school and don't have medical insurance and I understand that pills for this condition are taken daily. Guess I'll have to wait till the medication is over the counter!

I also find that working out/running before singing or shows is a great way to sing. Anyone else?

[Broadway Matt]

Posted: 8/3/04 at 8:18pm

i'm not sure how healthy this is, but if I'm having a real phlegm problem before a show, I'll take just a few swallows of Red Bull or KMX energy drink. They're both just caustic enough to burn that phlegm right off my chords. I just make sure to drink a lot of water directly afterward, because the caffeine can dry my throat out.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 8/3/04 at 8:20pm

Working out is great physical preparation to performing, esp. singing which requires controlled breathing.

On a similar note, I find that I sing better after dinner; something about the density and makeup of the moisture in my throat and mouth. Anyone else find this?

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 8/3/04 at 8:30pm

Definitely agreed BlueWizard, I always have to have a good meal before performances. I can never eat a ton because the "overly full" feeling adds pressure in which you can't breathing from your diaphragm very well, plus I hate that feeling of overly full anway .

About the phlegm, I have to cut out dairy about a week or so before a performance because phlegm kills me. You'd be suprised at the results of cutting out dairy. I have the same problem in the morning, but lots of fluids (hot or whatever) helps, and extensive warm-ups. Lots of humming is great too.

Posted: 8/4/04 at 1:32pm

We used to suck on a lemon or squirt lemon juice down our throats before choir concerts.

[sweetiedarlinmia]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 1:41pm

I had the same problem. My voice teacher said it sounded like I was choking when I sang (Nice huh?). For me they realized removing my gigantic adenoids would be the best solution. But I would strongly suggest you see an ENT if it nothing else works for you.

[wally]

Posted: 8/4/04 at 1:54pm

I think it is Prilosec that is now available OTC. Though I don't know if I would recommend taking it without seeing a doctor, or at least doing some research on GERD. Can you go to your school's health center to talk to someone about this? You do need to be on the medication for a few weeks before you really notice any improvement.

Posted: 8/7/04 at 11:13pm

what's an ENT?

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 8/7/04 at 11:16pm

Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor.

Only reason I know is because I've had a billion different problems with my ears, millions of infections, hearing loss etc. Strange that I'm a musician...oh well!