Hello, I often have a challenge when speaking in meetings - needing to clear my throat often and some hoarseness, and my cough is more often triggered in these situations. Does anyone have any non-medical guidance about how to control these symptoms which can be uncomfortable and hard to manage? Thank you!
Symptoms when talking: Hello, I often... - Lung Conditions C...
Symptoms when talking
I would make sure that you have a drink nearby,this would likely make it easier for you to control.
Thanks, I always do. I find drinking sometimes makes it worse and does little to improve my hoarseness or throat clearing unfortunately. I'm focusing on drinking water mainly as other drinks, especially hot drinks, aren't always helpful. These are my main asthma symptoms and I wonder if there's also anxiety that brings them on as I'm worried I'm going to have these problems.
Maybe talking disrupts the breathing pattern , I know talking on the phone always makes me cough . I always try to have a drink or throat sweet close by.Being anxious may change the breath pattern too , faster upper chest breaths …and when talking tend to mouth breathe rather than gentle nose breaths .
I wonder if the ALUK helpline could give you some tips on managing .
Open again on Monday for UK residents on 0300 222 5800.
Try diaphragm singing exercises to help breathing from the lower chest and abdomen become more of a habit. Once you have learned the technique it is possible to turn it on in your mind when talking in public. Try to work from a script or prompt card with breathing spaces marked, and practice your presentation beforehand.
There are lots of videos on YouTube about diaphragm breathing and singing. The ALUK lists some of the singing for lung health groups around the UK. I run a weekly winging for lung health group in south Cheshire, where the emphasis is singing for fun and exercise, not for making a beautiful sound, so people who say 'I can't sing' are still welcome.
Thanks for this suggestion. I have discovered this and am thinking about it as a way forward using online videos.
Have you tried having a puff or two of ventolin before your meetings? I used to be a management trainer ànd had to train myself to silently deep diaphragm breathe before & during speaking otherwise breath would get shallower and shallower, shoulders would rise along with the adrenaline of fight or flight & airways would constrict. Was awful & exhausting until I applied the deep breathing I'd learnt in yoga classes. It was the breathing through movement brand of yoga - I can't recall the name of it. I still do the breathing when afraid, stressed or can't sleep as its marvellously relaxing & de-stressing.
Thanks, I'm a yoga teacher and also use Buteyko breathing which has specific exercises for these situations. I use yogic breathing, but find it less effective for an unknown reason on video calls.
I don't know about Buteyko, Knitter used to practice it however, I've not noticed much discussion about it here over the years I'm afraid.
Thanks, that's a shame. I'd encourage people to investigate it. Personally I prioritise non-medicine approaches to symptom management and breathing practices such as Buteyko encourage good habits and control.
I used to get very nervous before meetings and found i had the same sort of reactions. I used to suck on a fishermans friend before going in and it did help to stop my throat getting so dry. I put all this down to nerves as I dont suffer from it all since I retired. Ergendl suggestion of singing sounds like fun too. I wish you all the best x
Thank you. I sometimes use lozenges too. I find some things work sometimes - it's so unpredictable! Glad your situation has resolved.
Buteyko, Manuka honey, Fisherman's Friend.
Hi I have this problem too - I looked up exercises for hoarseness in the vocal cords and found a couple that really help. The site is Arizona Asthma and Allergy Institute. I find the Belly Breathing where you breathe out with your tongue pressed against your front teeth so it makes a hissing sound is effective.
Thanks. Will have a look.
I had the same issues with talking in general when I was using steroid inhalers. It cleared up after stopping. I had tried several kinds so definitely related to the steroid type of inhaler. Not sure if you are taking anything like this.