For mild cases, your doctor may prescribe voice rest. For moderate to severe cases, your doctor may prescribe cough depressants or antibiotics in addition to voice rest. For severe cases, your doctor may prescribe surgery to fix the issue, especially if you have nodules on your vocal cords.

If you must talk, then take a 10-minute break for every 20 minutes of talking. Do not substitute whispering for talking. Whispering actually places more strain on your vocal cords than regular talking. [4] X Research source Activities you can do while resting your voice are reading, breathing exercises, sleeping, and watching movies or TV.

At the same time, you should try to avoid liquids that can prevent a speedy recovery such as alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks.

If you are taking a day or two off from work or school to rest your vocal cords, try not to go to bed too late.

For the best results, use filtered or bottled water.

Herbs that are known to help sooth and heal your throat and vocal cords are cayenne pepper, licorice, marshmallow, propolis, sage, slippery elm and turmeric.

For each session, gargle three times. Gargle every two to three hours throughout the day. Make sure to gargle before you go to bed. This way the herbs and honey can soothe and treat your vocal cords while you sleep.

Water that is 150 degrees Fahrenheit will provide enough steam. If the water is boiling then it is too hot. Let the water cool for a minute or two before you begin the steam inhalation.

You can add herbal extracts like chamomile, thyme, peppermint, lemon, oregano, and clove to the water for added benefits.

This will trap the steam so you can breathe it in.

Thyroplasty consists of using an implant to reposition your vocal cord. Vocal cord repositioning consists of moving your vocal cords closer together by moving tissue from the outside of your vocal box toward the inside. Reinnervation consists of replacing the damaged vocal cord with a healthy nerve from a different area of your neck. A tracheotomy consists of making an incision in your neck to create an opening to access your windpipe. A tube will be inserted in the opening to allow air to bypass the damaged vocal cords.