Archive for the ‘mucus’ Category

antihistamines, meds with side-effects of hoarseness, zyrtex–singing

March 29, 2013

I’ve avoided most antihistamines because they made me drowsy.   Zyrtex much less so, and it took less than 1/4 tablet per day to stop my runny nose and itchy eyes.  Recently, took an course (1/8 to 1/4 tablet daily) for only 20 days.

Zyrtex continued an ache in my nasal cavity, close to throat,  and felt a bit like sore throat.  The initial ache was result of a cold.

As zyrtex relates to singing, I did fine for about 12 days, except for the ache.   Then, one day as I yelled at someone, I felt my vocal cords became sore and a bit raspy, and my soft palate acted funny.   Rested a day, and everything remained fine.

Five days later, I lost power in my highs and control of subtle singing effects because my soft palate wasn’t moving right.   And, my singing simply sounded funny.    On 20th day, discontinued zyrtex.

Three days later, my singing has returned 90%.

My belief is that while zyrtex stopped the mucus in my nasal cavity, and it also dried out my soft palate and fluids for vocal cords.   Result was couldn’t control my singing voice.

So, in general, if a medication indicates a side effect may be hoarseness, this also says it probably hasn’t been tested solely on a group of singers, and to be very observant on its singing effects.

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Excessive Mucus and phelgm and singing

October 31, 2012

http://themodernvocalist.punbb-hosting.com/viewtopic.php?id=5357

I seem to have a really big problem with mucous and phlegm, that gets worse the more I sing. There seems to be mucous in both my nose, throat, and lungs. How do you get rid of this without meds?

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This doesn’t sound like the major contributor is allergies, as allergies generally produce a liquidy drainage, not heavy phelgm or mucus.   Allergies also produces sneezing and red eyes, so to self-diagnose it, look for other symptoms.

This does sound like acid reflux and/or improper technique that blows too much air into the nasal cavity.

To diagnose acid reflux, try any Over The Counter omeprazele med, such as zegerid or nexium for 4 weeks (preferably at double dosage–which is what doctors prescribe–and I recommend you ask a physician first) and see if your symptoms vastly improve.

To treat acid reflux, first incline your bed 6 inches at top; then even higher, if you can tolerate it.   This will stop nighttime acid reflux.

Acid reflux doesn’t reach your nasal cavity, unless– 1. stomach liquid can reach up to nasal cavity (which is unlikely, if you’re standing)    2. huge amounts of acidic fumes reach the nasal cavity (which is possible with improper singing technique and/or bad posture).

Whether you have huge amounts of acid reflux fumes or not, if a singer uses improper singing technique such that air is blown into nasal cavity regularly, symptoms such as you describe will result.

To treat:   1. resolve singing technique   2. fix posture   3. incline bed, if acid reflux.

Posted in acid reflux, GERD, heartburn, mucus, phlegm | 1 Comment »