* Drinking alcohol. Alcohol can dehydrate your vocal cords and make them more susceptible to damage. It can also relax your muscles and make it more difficult to control your voice.
* Loud talking or singing. Using your voice too loudly can put a strain on your vocal cords and cause them to become damaged.
* Clearing your throat. Clearing your throat can irritate your vocal cords and cause them to become inflamed.
* Eating certain foods. Certain foods, such as dairy products, spicy foods, and caffeine, can irritate your vocal cords and make it more difficult to sing.
* Allergies. Allergies can cause inflammation in your sinuses and throat, which can affect your singing voice.
* Stress. Stress can cause you to tense up your muscles, which can make it more difficult to sing.
* Lack of sleep. When you're sleep-deprived, your vocal cords may not be as flexible as they need to be for singing.
* Medications. Some medications can have a side effect of drying out your vocal cords or causing them to become irritated.
* Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD can cause stomach acid to back up into your throat, which can irritate your vocal cords.