Symptoms when talking: Hello, I often... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

55,061 members65,847 posts

Symptoms when talking

SiennaCate profile image
23 Replies

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!

Written by
SiennaCate profile image
SiennaCate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
23 Replies
Aingeful profile image
Aingeful

I would make sure that you have a drink nearby,this would likely make it easier for you to control.

SiennaCate profile image
SiennaCate in reply to Aingeful

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.

knitter profile image
knitter

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.

SiennaCate profile image
SiennaCate in reply to knitter

Thanks for suggestions. Talking definitely disrupts the breathing pattern - see Buteyko breathing for further comments. As does anxiety. Hard to talk and mouth breathe. I will try the ALUK helpline. I am keen to try and manage symptoms without use of (recommended) medication.

Ergendl profile image
Ergendl

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.

SiennaCate profile image
SiennaCate

Thanks for this suggestion. I have discovered this and am thinking about it as a way forward using online videos. :)

peege profile image
peege

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.

SiennaCate profile image
SiennaCate in reply to peege

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.

peege profile image
peege in reply to SiennaCate

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.

SiennaCate profile image
SiennaCate in reply to peege

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.

peege profile image
peege in reply to SiennaCate

I was going to say put Buteyko in the search bar, I just did but the posts and replies are all 5 & 6 years old! Still there to view though.You might try copying your posts onto the Asthma Community Forum to see what comes up. BTW its fairly quiet here on Sundays. P

SiennaCate profile image
SiennaCate in reply to peege

Thanks!

Izb1 profile image
Izb1

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

SiennaCate profile image
SiennaCate in reply to Izb1

Thank you. I sometimes use lozenges too. I find some things work sometimes - it's so unpredictable! Glad your situation has resolved.

Blackbird9 profile image
Blackbird9 in reply to Izb1

Bet the fisherman's friend loved you 😂😂😂

Izb1 profile image
Izb1 in reply to Blackbird9

🤣🤣🤣 still does x

Tia4209 profile image
Tia4209

Maybe try a spoonful of Manuka honey before making any speeches etc.

SiennaCate profile image
SiennaCate in reply to Tia4209

Great idea, thanks.

ilos profile image
ilos

Buteyko, Manuka honey, Fisherman's Friend.

Morningjoy profile image
Morningjoy

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.

SiennaCate profile image
SiennaCate

Thanks. Will have a look.

HeartMe profile image
HeartMe

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.

SiennaCate profile image
SiennaCate in reply to HeartMe

It's one of the reasons I don't want to start!

You may also like...

When COPD Symptoms seemed to have Changed,

I used to get more flare ups than i do now, some horrible flare up as I have asthma as well....

Lost medication when travelling

was missing, I have COPD and several meds for this were in my bag. My sister doesn't have a GP...

Pain when breathing in

I have moderate Emphysema. From last week I have been experiencing pain on the last part of a deep...

Less mucus when unwell?

I can't clear my chest. I know I'm unwell as my chest is sore and I'm very tired and more...

When the drugs don’t work

everyone is managing to keep well and warm. My Dad has been diagnosed with COPD for some time now,...