Hoarseness - What to do?

Hoarseness can hit us unexpectedly and weaken our voice, whether it's due to a cold, excessive speaking or other causes. It can be a real challenge, especially if we rely on our voice for work or simply want to communicate clearly. But don't worry, there are some simple and natural ways to alleviate hoarseness and get our voice back in top form quickly.

One of the easiest ways to combat hoarseness is to drink warm liquids. A hot herbal tea, a cup of warm milk or even just hot water with a dash of lemon and honey can be soothing to an irritated throat. The warmth helps to improve circulation and loosen mucus, which can help to relieve hoarseness.

A tried and tested home remedy for a sore throat and hoarseness is gargling with lukewarm salt water. Simply dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle for around 30 seconds. The salt water helps to fight bacteria in the throat and soothe the irritated mucous membrane.

Sometimes the best medicine is simply rest and protection. Reduce the use of your voice, avoid smoking and dry air and get enough sleep. Your vocal chords will thank you and recover more quickly.

It is important to stay sufficiently hydrated during hoarseness. Drink water regularly to keep the mucous membranes moisturised and support the healing process.

Although it may seem intuitive, whispering can actually put more strain on your vocal cords than normal speaking. Whispering puts a lot of tension on the vocal cords, which can lead to additional irritation. Instead, try to speak in a calm but natural tone of voice.

Although drinking fluids is important to stay hydrated, cold drinks can further irritate the mucous membranes. It is better to favour warm or lukewarm drinks to soothe the throat and aid the healing process.

Coughing can be irritating, but it is a natural reflex of the body to keep the airways clear. Don't try to suppress the urge to cough, as this can lead to additional strain on the vocal cords. Instead, you can try to soothe the cough with a glass of water.