Luz Saúde : Screenings of Hospital da Luz Setúbal Detect Voice Alterations

Screenings of Hospital da Luz Setúbal Detect Voice Alterations

30-04-19

A large majority of the participants in the screening offered by Hospital da Luz Setúbal last April 15 and 18 revealed voice alterations, in some cases combined with organic alterations, such as nodules and polyps. This initiative was held in the scope of the World Voice Day, celebrated on April 16, and was a partnership between the hospital's Otorhinolaryngology Service and Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal.

The main purpose was to raise awareness of the population and voice professionals in particular - that is to say, people who use voice as a working instrument, such as singers, journalists, actors, teachers, speakers and sellers, among others - to the importance of prevention.

In 20 participants in the screening (with ages between 45 and 80, 85% women), 11 revealed functional dysphonia, caused by incorrect vocal use, and 7 presented dysphonia with vocal alterations of organic origin, with nodules, polyps or glottal slot. In whole, 35% used voice in choral singing context.

Warning signs and precautions

The voice is produced in the larynx, where are located the vocal folds. When we speak, those folds vibrate with the passage of air coming from the lungs, while breathing out. 'It is important to be alert to alterations in voice, in order to identify health problems requiring specific following-up', explains Nuno Silva, speech therapist from Hospital da Luz Setúbal. This professional gives examples of warning signs, that advise consultation with an otorhinolaryngologist or speech therapist:

• Hoarseness for more than two weeks;
• Larynx or pharynx pain, sore throat or sensation of a foreign body in throat;
• Constant throat clearing, voice loss (more than four days in a row) or throat irritation (more than a week);
• Voice fatigue or difficulty speaking with high intensity and high tomes.

To maintain the voice in good shape, one should:

• Drink enough water (1,5 to 2 litres/day), to maintain the voice hydrated;
• Not to force or misuse the voice, warm it up before intensive use, and use a microphone in lectures and/or presentations;
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, caffeine products and spicy condiments (which promote acid reflux);
• When talking, adopt a correct posture (avoiding raised chin, stretched neck and shoulders up or forward), speak slowly and breath correctly;
• In the case of singers, do vocal warming and cooling exercises (voice misuse arises more often in speech than in singing).