National Voice Day | Medical Watch | WGNTV.com | WGN TV

National Voice Day

Wednesday, April 16

In tonight's Medical Watch -- the effect of sports on your voice. Baseball season seems to be taking a toll -- and it's only April. It's also National Voice Day. So doctors say -- be boisterous but be careful not to scream -- it may actually silence your enthusiasm.

It's a given...they go to a Sox game.

"Let's go!!"

And they scream ... same story for more than 20 years.

"Even when you feel the strain on your voice do you keep screaming? Beverly Wilson: "You gotta you're a fan all the way."

In the words of one fan ... where else can you belt out and get away with it?

"Loud as I can be always."

"We scream every time we come out here."

"It hurts me."

That's because it may be doing real damage. You can hear the voice getting hoarse.

"It's starting now. ha ha."

Now check out how it looks. On the left healthy vocal cords, white and opening and closing appropriately. On the right you can barely see the vocal cords ... swelling, redness, with dry thick secretions that block sound. this is laryngitis. A little quiet can do a lot of good. But if you don't rest your voice after a big game ...

Dr. Lee Akst, Director of Laryngology, Loyola University Hospital: "They feel hoarse and instead of backing off they keep pushing forward, they can cause long term damage to their vocal cords."

There are some tricks to help bring the sound back.

Dr. Akst: "On the to do list, drink lots of water because vocal cords enjoy being well lubricated. Try to use proper breath support, your lungs power your voice you should take deep adequate breaths to try to speak loudly.

Also limit caffeine and carbonation and alcohol ... all irritate the vocal cords.

Dr. Akst: "If you've had hoarseness that lasts for more than a couple of weeks or hoarseness that keeps coming back on a regular basis you should be evaluated by an expert in vocal cords such as an ear nose and throat physician."

It's not just sports fans ... chronic hoarseness can also be an occupational hazard for teachers, salespeople and radio hosts. But it doesn't have to persist. Treatment can give you your voice back.