HEALTHNET

I got flu two days ago. Why I lost my voice this morning?

The virus has probably affected your larynx...

(Posted on 21 December 2006)

Q1. I got the flu two days ago. I woke up and lost my voice this morning. Why?

A1. The virus has probably affected your larynx (the voice box). Influenza is caused by a virus that affects cell lining of upper respiratory tract. With influenza, viral particles are attracted to and attached on cell surfaces, thereby finding a way into the cells and take over the control of their functions. Subsequently large quantities of viral particles are produced, and spread to neighboring cells.

The larynx is an important structure connecting the lower part of the throat to the windpipe. Inside the larynx are vocal cords - which is a pair of cellular membranous folds covering muscle and cartilage. Laryngitis is the inflammation of the larynx, which is one of the most common causes for acute hoarseness or loss of voice. The condition is commonly caused by influenza.

Normally, your vocal cords open and close smoothly. Sound is produced when air is forced through the space between the two vocal cords causing them to vibrate. When the infection spreads to the larynx, the structures are swollen, hot and painful with lots of respiratory secretions. Your voice turns airy and weak as a result. There is an irritating sensation in the throat and you feel an intense urge to cough. The symptoms are signals that you should rest your voice until it is fully recovered. This is our body's defense mechanism (inflammation) to get rid of the virus by increasing blood supply to area.

Q2. My mother tells me to avoid "hot stuff" that causes "heatiness" during flu. Why?

A2. Chinese believe in maintaining the body in a state of balance by choosing the right kind of food items. Traditional Chinese Medicine classifies ailments as well as food elements into Yin and Yang, cold and hot. Eating the wrong food can worsen your symptoms in diseases.

The symptoms of influenza - such as fever, cough, injected eyes and generalised aches, would be mostly classified as a constellation of "biao symptoms" and the ailment as "hot disease" by traditional practitioners. People would prefer "cold" food instead of the "hot". When the voice is turning hoarse, fever going up, or the respiratory discharge going purulent, they would blame the "heatiness" in the food.

Although not sounding very scientific, some believe that there can be grains of truth in your mother's caution. Medical doctors would often recommend patients with flu to drink plenty of fluids, avoid over eating, and take more fruits and vegetables. The latter are traditionally labeled as "cold". It would be wise to avoid irritant foods such as chocolate, chili and strong alcohol since hoarseness of voice can be caused by a combination of infection and local irritation. It is also known that these irritant foods can cause reflux of stomach contents into the throat aggravating hoarseness and cough.

Q3. It is often recommended that patients with influenza should drink plenty of water. How would it help?

A3. Water is involved in many chemical reactions inside our body. Water maintains our blood volume. It is the blood circulating in our body that carries white blood cells and antibodies to the site of infection. We also need water in order to absorb and distribute drugs, and have them carried to where they are needed. Water also carries waste products and toxins away from the body.

Patients with influenza should increase their fluid intake to prevent dehydration. Influenza causes fever, sweating and sometimes vomiting. All these symptoms can dry out the body. Without enough fluid, your respiratory secretions would be thick and difficult to be coughed up.

Apart from water, the body also needs energy to fight off infections, and mineral salts to replenish those lost in sweats and body fluids. Sick children are often not feeding well. Instead of plain water, your child would need beverages containing sugar or glucose, or eat foods with high water content.

A common mistake is for parents to offer pure water only to small children running a fever. Plain water would not provide enough calories and electrolytes. After a few hours of starvation, children would start burning fat stores as a source of energy. This can produce chemical byproducts known as ketone acids, which can cause vomiting and further aggravates the dehydration.

Source: Quality HealthCare