When to Visit A Specialist for your Vocal and Nasal Health Problems

Using your voice excessively, especially when you use it as a main part of your work can put a lot on your voice. Like any other muscle, your vocal chords and everything connected need to be well taken care of. At what point do you need to call in a specialist for your nasal and vocal problems? Generally I would say the moment something feels out of the ordinary you should see your primary and ask about seeing an ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat doctor).

Keep in mind that your primary is not the end all. If you do not feel comfortable or question your primary doctor's initial advice to you and not see a specialist for some reason you may want to get a second opinion. It could be nothing or it could be something that will need some help before going away.

Here are some examples of when you may want to have your nose and/or throat checked out:

Change in your regular breathing or problems taking a deep breath

If your regular breathing becomes labored in regular activity or faster than normal, that may be something to look out for. There are a number of issues that could be going on - including simply being out of shape but it is something worth checking into. Having a problem taking a deep breath could also be a sign that something could be going on in your nasal passage. Anything from a polyp to inflammation and allergies.

Congestion

If you feel sever congestion for an extended amount of time you may try things like humidifiers, allergy relief medicines and more without seeing any results. At that time, you should consult a doctor to pinpoint any unknown allergies or see if there is a deeper issue that needs to be addressed.

Feeling strain in your throat while singing or other extensive vocal use

When you are taking or singing from your diaphragm and you have adequate air flow, you breathing will feel great. If that changes, you will surely feel a difference. Congestion will likely be directly connected to this. The way you use your voice will change, your breaths may be shorter and you will not be able to hold as much air for longer phrases.

None of this is an end all. The best advice that anyone can give you is for you to listen to your body. If you feel something out of the ordinary it is worth checking it out. The longer things are put off the worse they can potentially become. The quicker problems are addresses, the faster it is to go on to normal activities. You'll be a much better singer or speaker for it!