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December 2000 Table of Contents
Your Voice For God
Acid Reflux and Your Voice
By Chris Beatty
 As a vocal coach for singers, speakers and music ministers who s lives depend on a functional voice I regularly encounter a number of common vocal ailments. One of the most common of recent note is stomach acid reflux, or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). This condition is being diagnosed at an alarming rate and is causing vocal problems in thousands of singers and speakers world-wide. The potential burning of the vocal folds can lead to permanent vocal limitations.
Do any of the following describe you, or one of your singers?
- Stomach acid back-washing into your throat, especially at night, often with sudden awakening and/or coughing.
- An acidic taste accompanied by a raw feeling in the throat.
- Unexplained hoarseness or change in voice, especially in the morning.
- Sore throat.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Unexplained coughing or wheezing, especially at night.
- Abnormal difficulty moving into your head/mix voice.
- Decreasing range in the head/mix voice for an extended period.
- Abnormal cracking.
- An increase in any of the above when you bend, stoop or when eating.
What Is It?
Gastroesophageal reflux is a back-wash of acid from the stomach into the esophagus and the result is irritation. What is the cause? To start with, just turning 40. As we age most of us will experience an incompetent lower esophageal sphincter. That s a band of muscle fibers that closes off the esophagus from the stomach. Acidic or alkaline gastric contents return to the esophagus through the lower esophageal sphincter and cause the symptoms. In other words, we have difficulty keeping the stomach acid in the stomach.
Who Is Most Vulnerable?
To some degree, all of us. Especially those over 40. But an even more prime candidate lives in the South, eats lots of fried foods, eats late at night, or right before bed, is overweight and a little out of shape. If you re a TRAVELING MUSICIAN you are also vulnerable due to irregular eating and schedule, poor diet and lack of exercise. Even one of these lifestyles can make you a candidate. And, if you are a singer, speaker, teacher or are in another voice-dependent vocation you could be risking your vocal function and work.
How To Find Relief - Things You Can Try
- If you are overweight do something about it, and include exercise.
- Avoid eating or drinking within 3 hours of bedtime.
- Avoid lying down after meals. Let gravity help keep stomach acid in its place.
- Elevate the head of the bed on blocks.
- Be sure to take medications with plenty of water.
- Avoid soda pop (cokes, etc.)
- Avoid dietary fat in your food.
- Avoid chocolate.
- Avoid caffeine.
- Avoid peppermint.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco.
- Avoid tomatoes.
- Avoid onions.
Does this sound extreme? It s not. If you are one of the 5 out of 1,000 people who suffer from it these new habits can change your life, and spare you some serious complications later on.
OTC and Prescriptions Medications
Modern day medications are very effective is countering GERD and but are most effective when used in conjunction with some of the above recommendations. OTC (over the counter) antacids as well as other well-advertised medications may be all you need, but are often not strong enough or the right solution. You may need to see your doctor for prescription strength Tagamet or Zantac or Prilosec among others. Also, ask your doctor about other prescription medications (histamine H2 receptor blockers, promotility agents) that may be right for you.
What If The Above Doesn't Work?
If they don t there are two new endoscopic surgeries that are much less invasive than past techniques. Whereas repairing an incompetent esophageal sphincter (which is what causes acid reflux) use to mean cutting open the patient, now doctors can go inside with just a scope, putting a stitch in the opening from the esophagus to the stomach. Another technique uses radio frequency to correct the problem.
Where To Go For Help
A good source for all medical questions is your doctor, but find one who really understands the voice as well as GERD. The throat is a unique and complicated area of the body and requires special training to fully understand. And ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) or Otolaryngologist is a good place to start. You might also consider a GI, one who specializes in gastrointestinal problems. A GI specialist can perform very specific tests. General information can be found on the Internet at And while these sites are very educational they do not replace your doctor.
Committed to the belief that those who communicate with a clear and strong voice will dramatically effect those around them, Chris and Carole Beatty travel extensively presenting workshops and retreats for God s communicators. At their voice studio in Brentwood TN they help prepare the singers of today and tomorrow in private coaching sessions. The fruit of their over-30-years of labor is felt around the world.
Together with their publisher, Ministry Music, they have created and produced 43 best-selling audio tapes, CD s, videos and books for the Christian singer and speaker. For full details please visit their web site at You can also write them at P.O. Box 2144, Brentwood TN 37024. Or call 615-331-1080 or fax 615-331-8847.
Email: vocalcoach@vocalcoach.com
Web: www.vocalcoach.com
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