It is very easy to damage the vocal cords. Many famous singers have ruined their careers by a combination of forceful singing, yelling, screaming, smoking, drinking alcohol, or drugs.

Examples of singers who have damaged their voices are Adele, Julie Andrews, Whitney Houston, and the list goes on!

Adele = Hemorrhage

Whitney = Drugs and vocal exhaustion

Julie Andrews = vocal exhaustion and damaging throat surgery

Another popular way to damage the voice is by overusing it. People who talk and sing excessively often cause damage to their vocal cords, without even realising it.

There are several different types of damage that happens when a person abuses their vocals. These are nodules, polyps, laryngitis and hemorrhage (burst blood vessel - Adele).

 

Nodules



Vocal cord nodules are small, hard, callus-like growths caused by vocal abuse. They occur in pairs, with one nodule on each vocal cord at the site of greatest irritation. They sometimes are called singer's, screamer's or teacher's nodules. = http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/10976.html

Polyp

Vocal cord polyps are small, soft growths that usually appear alone on a vocal cord. They are caused most often by vocal abuse or long-term exposure to irritants, such as chemical fumes or cigarette smoke. = http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/10976.html



Hemorrhage



A burst blood vessel in the vocal folds.