(HealthDay News) -- If your voice gets hoarse when you overuse it or when you have a cold, the Center for Voice at Northwestern University suggests how you can treat a croaky voice or prevent its recurrence:

• Drink plenty of water.
• If you smoke, quit and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Avoid yelling, screaming and talking loudly for long periods.
• Don't whisper. It's just as hard on your voice as talking loudly.
• Avoid things that dehydrate the body, such as alcohol and caffeine.
• Keep your home humidified.
• To keep your throat moist, suck on lozenges, chew gum or gargle with salt water.
• Avoid spicy foods.