Next: Frequent heartburn, which may be an indicator of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) No. 7: Frequent heartburn and a sour taste may mean stomach acids are spilling over into your larynx, which may lead to voice problems. If you experience these symptoms, avoid high-acid foods and late-night eating. Elevate your head with extra pillows or raise the head of the bed.

Next: Clearing your throat constantly, or coughing - like using sandpaper on your vocal folds. No. 6: Repeatedly clearing the throat or coughing may irritate vocal fold tissues. Sipping water, swallowing or sucking on a cough drop may ease the irritation in the throat

For those of us who are Christians, this is a somber week, as we remember the betrayal, agony, murder, then resurrection of Jesus. "He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care." Isaiah 53:3 So many in the world today are experiencing agony and deepest grief as they are torn from their loved ones and homes. I'm sure some of them feel like they've been

Next: Medications No. 5: Some medications lead to dehydration of the vocal folds. Antihistamines, taken for colds or allergies, shrink swollen membranes and reduce saliva and mucous production. These medications lessen the discomforts of the cold, but dry the vocal tissues. If you are taking medications that dehydrate, drink lots of water and other fluids. Try to keep home and working environments at a relative humidity of 40 percent or more.

Next: Caffeine & Alcohol No. 4: Caffeine and alcohol dehydrate vocal folds, which can make it more difficult to keep them vibrating. Drink plenty of water to combat their drying effects. For example, for every mug of coffee you ingest, drink at least one 8-oz. glass of water