Excessive festive activities during Tet, such as drinking alcohol, laughing, and singing, can lead to hoarseness, voice loss, or vocal changes. Master, Doctor Nguyen Duc Minh, from the Ear, Nose, and Throat Center at Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi, offers guidance on preventing these issues.

Limit alcohol and throat-irritating beverages

Alcohol dries out vocal cords, thickening the protective mucus layer and altering voice quality. Alcoholic drinks also cause dehydration and irritate the mucous membranes, leading to swollen and congested vocal cords. These effects often result in a dry, sore throat and voice loss.

Coffee and carbonated soft drinks also heighten the risk of throat irritation, worsening hoarseness, voice loss, and vocal disorders.

Drinking a lot of alcohol causes throat irritation, affecting the voice. Photo: Ly Nguyen

Stay hydrated

Water helps maintain vocal cord hydration. In addition to plain water, consider fresh fruit juices, warm water, or herbal teas such as ginger, chamomile, or honey-lemon tea.

Keep your throat and respiratory system warm

Tet often brings colder weather. When enjoying spring outings, dress warmly, wear a mask, and use a scarf to prevent colds, coughs, and sore throats that can lead to hoarseness and voice loss. Avoid cold iced water, as it can cause spasms and irritate the throat lining.

Avoid speaking loudly

Speaking loudly, continuously, or straining your voice can easily cause hoarseness. When singing karaoke or listening to music, keep the volume at a moderate level to avoid needing to raise your voice. If you experience hoarseness, limit unnecessary communication.

Gargle with saline solution

Saline solution helps cleanse and reduce inflammation of the throat lining. Use bottled saline to ensure proper concentration and prevent irritation.

Limit sour and spicy foods

Excessive consumption of sour and spicy foods can easily irritate the throat. Dishes such as kimchi, pickled cucumbers, and pickled onions can also trigger and worsen symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a common cause of coughs, sore throats, and hoarseness.

Hieu Nguyen