DEHYDRATION

Do NOT drink anything with alcohol, caffeine or carbonation, which can undo the hydration you have just provided. Alcohol regarded as poison by the body, providing no nutritional value, but acting as a stimulant, a sedative and in large quantities killing you. The body responds to what it determines “poison” by flushing it out quickly, using precious liquids which are meant to hydrate your body. Alcohol causes dehydration, excess mucous, numbness limiting muscle coordination, and dilated blood vessels which interfere with blood flow to the vocal folds. It can also strip the body of necessary B vitamins which affects the nervous system. Caffeine acts as a diuretic, draining the body of needed moisture, increasing stomach acid and producing dehydration. Carbonation can increase air in the stomach, causing burping and changing the sound of your voice.  Another source of dryness is medications, particularly those prescribed for allergies. If you require medications for serious allergies, be aware that they have a drying effect, and you will need to consume more water to make up for the deficit. It might be a good idea to consume water containing electrolytes, such as Powerade or Gatorade to assist with the balance of minerals in the body.