To: "VOCALIST" <vocalist>
Subject: Re: Coughing
Date sent: Sun, 9 Jan 2000 18:33:10 -0500
Send reply to: VOCALIST <vocalist>

The problem with coughing and clearing the throat is that it forcibly
opposed the vocal folds. If done repeatedly, it can irritate them. Chronic
irritation can lead to polyps, nodules, etc.

To clear the throat without pushing the folds together try to duplicate the
action you would do if you were trying to blow out a candle across a room
with a quick breath. It helps to have very wet mucus by adequate hydration.

IMO, a little bit of fold opposition is OK, the problem is knowing when you
go from a little bit to a lot.

John

John Messmer, MD, Assistant Professor, Family & Community Medicine
Medical Director, Penn State Geisinger Health Group, Palmyra, PA

"Try not. Do or do not; there is no 'try'." -- Yoda