Q24. Why are singers prone to throat problems?
A24. The main reason is that singers (and professional speakers) use their voice to a greater extent than most of us.
This leads to the voice becoming overused or strained which results in a sore, inflamed throat in the short term but in the long term can cause serious problems.
These include throat polyps (sores on the vocal cords) and laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx).
Some singers perform in smoky environments which irritate their voice and also increase the risk of an infection. Other singers find that they are constantly trying to reach the top of their vocal range or over it which also puts a strain on their vocal cords.
Many singers undergo a series of exercises to warm up their voice as well as allowing their voice time to rest in between sessions.
Find out more in our looking after your throat section.
FAQS Index : Sore throat FAQ
- What does the throat consist of?
- What does the throat do?
- What is the larynx?
- What are the tonsils?
- How do the vocal cords work?
- What enables us to speak?
- Why do we get a sore throat?
- Can you treat a sore throat with antibiotics?
- Why does my child get lots of sore throats?
- What is diphtheria?
- What is croup?
- What is quinsy?
- What is acid reflux?
- What is strep throat?
- What is the difference between a viral throat infection and a bacterial throat infection?
- Why do children have frequent episodes of tonsillitis?
- What are adenoids?
- Do you need to have your tonsils removed?
- What are the different types of throat cancer?
- What causes throat cancer?
- How is throat cancer treated?
- Can oral sex damage the throat?
- What effect does your lifestyle have on your throat?
- Why are singers prone to throat problems?
- Why does being overweight affect your throat?
- Can you treat a sore throat at home?
- My child has a sore throat; do I need to see my GP?
- What causes someone to lose their voice?
- Can you prevent a sore throat?
- Why is it important to look after your throat?
Sore Throat Guide
- Sore Throat
- Throat anatomy
- Adenoids
- Tonsils
- Epiglottis
- Uvula
- Larynx
- Pharynx
- Vocal cords
- Trachea
- How the throat works
- Coughing
- Speech
- Swallowing
- Causes of a sore throat
- Throat related problems
- Dysphonia
- Dysphagia
- Throat ulcers
- Globus pharyngeus
- Acid reflux
- Lumps in the throat
- Reinke’s oedema
- Enlarged adenoids
- Congenital throat problems
- Wegener’s granulomatosis
- Pharyngeal pouch
- Croup
- Sinusitis
- Bad breath
- Throat infections
- Strep throat
- Tonsillitis
- Laryngitis
- Pharyngitis
- Diphtheria
- Bacterial throat infections
- Viral throat infections
- Glandular fever
- Throat polyps
- Quinsy
- Candidiasis
- Epiglottitis
- Throat cancers
- Cancer of the larynx
- Cancer of the oesophagus
- Cancer of the pharynx
- Cancer of the thyroid gland
- Cancer of the trachea
- Cancer of the mouth
- Treatment for sore throat
- Home based treatment
- Over the counter treatment
- Prescription medicine
- Throat surgery
- Laryngectomy
- Tonsillectomy
- Recovery after tonsillectomy
- Adenoidectomy
- Tracheostomy
- Thyroidectomy
- Looking after your throat
- Lifestyle factors
- Smoking
- Excess weight
- Alcohol
- Housedust
- Voice misuse
- Professional speakers and singers
- Preventing a sore throat
- Sore throat in children
- Sore throat FAQs
- Glossary