Arena Stage 'My Fair Lady' Laid Low by the Flu with Performance Cancellations

It has been an early and bad start to the flu season in the DC metro area. It is just the beginning of the traditional 3 month flu season and flu numbers have already exceeded last year's . Although professional singers may feel they should have a special exemption from this debilitating illness which also adversely affects the voice, it is not to be... The flu has literally crippled performances of "My Fair Lady" at the Arena Stage this season with two show cancellations a…

1/07/2013 1

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Laryngospasm in a Child

Washington Post published a story July 23, 2012 regarding a child who suffered from laryngospasm attack that was erroneously diagnosed as asthma. Laryngospasm is when the true vocal cords (TVC) come together rather than apart when breathing. Normally, only when talking do the vocal cords come together (or adduct) and vibrate to create a voice. When breathing, the vocal cords separate (or abduct) to allow air to pass between the vocal cords and into the lungs. Watch video . What the st…

7/24/2012 0

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Working in a Salon Can Be Unhealthy for Your Nose and Throat!

We already know that small hair clippings from cutting hair can cause septal perforation and chronic sinusitis due to long-term inhalation. Worse case scenario, it can even lead to an external nasal deformity! (Read blog about this here .) However, it seems that it's not just hair that can damage the nose, but also hair products especially to straighten/smoothen hair popularly known as "Brazilian" treatments. In a report published by Washington Post on Oct 17, 2011, such B…

10/18/2011 0

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The Vocal Problems of Professional Singers

The Washington Post on May 20, 2011 published a great article on the travails of opera singers regarding their vocal cords and the stresses placed on them (the singers and their vocal cords). The opera singer (as well as any other professional singer) are the Olympic athletes of the voice.  As such, peak performance is mandatory in order to sustain a successful career. Just as an Olympic sprinter measures their success in milliseconds... the professional singer is judged by the most minute…

5/26/2011 1

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Why Do We Have Earwax?

This question was addressed in today's Washington Post . The question itself wasn't really addressed, but the article did contain good general information. Read more about earwax here . Read the Washington Post article here . Watch a video of earwax being removed by an ENT specialist under the microscope:

1/31/2011 0

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