Loud and Clear

1. Sip water

"When you're dehydrated, your body cuts down on mucus production," says C. Richard Stasney, M.D., an otolaryngologist and the director of the Texas Voice Center.

Your vocal folds vibrate about 100 times a second when you speak—and mucus protects them from friction, which can cause swelling, irritation, and injury.

Don't like water? Try these 10 amazing hydrators.

2. Clear phlegm the right way

Noisy throat clearing bangs your vocal folds together, which can hurt them, Dr. Stasney says.

Instead, take a deep breath and exhale through your mouth quickly and forcefully, without making a sound. This will dislodge mucus from your throat so you can spit it out or swallow it, Dr. Stasney says.

3. Don't try to go all Barry White

Men drop their voices to sound authoritative, says Linda B. Shields, M.S., a speech pathologist based in Raleigh, North Carolina. That can damage your pipes. Determine your natural pitch by saying "mmm-hmm." The top of that hum is your optimum pitch.

4. Speak clearly—to a doctor

If vocal changes or pain last for 2 to 3 weeks, see an ear, nose, and throat doctor. "Talking should be effortless, like a golf swing," says Mark Courey, M.D., director of the voice and swallowing center at the University of California at San Francisco.

You use your voice everyday. So why don't you take care of it? Here's how.

Beat Reflux, Save Your Life

Your stomach is an acid volcano, threatening the tender citizens clustered in your throat. Ward off gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR), or you might never yell at those darn neighbor kids again.

1. GERD

How to tell if you have it:

If you suffer from heartburn more than twice a week and it occurs even in situations you wouldn't expect, then you might have GERD, says Gary W. Falk, M.D., a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania school of medicine.

How to ease your worst pains.

Why it's dangerous:

GERD sufferers are more likely to develop esophageal ulcers and a condition called Barrett's esophagus—severe damage to the lining of the esophagus that can lead to cancer in a small percentage of patients.

What to do:

A doctor may prescribe Prevacid or Prilosec. Avoid overeating and foods that tend to trigger acid reflux, such as caffeine and tomato-based dishes.

2. LPR

How to tell if you have it:

Symptoms include chronic throat pain, bad breath, nighttime thirst, and extended morning hoarseness.

Why it's dangerous:

LPR can disrupt your sleep by causing spasms that make it hard to breathe, says Robert Sataloff, M.D., D.M.A., chairman of the department of otolaryngology at Drexel University college of medicine. In addition, the chronic irritation can increase your risk of laryngeal cancer.

What to do

A doctor can put you on a double dose of a proton pump inhibitor, says Dr. Sataloff. To keep stomach acid in its place, avoid bending forward at the waist for at least an hour after eating.