Saturday, August 8, 2009

A Summary of Common Vocal Cord and Voice Disorders

By Lynn Williams

The vocal cords, muscle tissue located in the throat area, are responsible for producing your voice. When there is an issue with the vocal cords it will affect your voice and could lead to major issues. Most vocal cord disorders are caused by the misuse or abuse of the vocal cords.

Common vocal cord disorders range from mild issues to serious medical conditions. Any indication of a vocal cord disorder should be examined by a physician to ensure there is no serious damage to the vocal cords. Most vocal cord disorders are caused by overusing the voice or other irritants, such as chemical inhalation.

A common vocal cord disorder is laryngitis. Laryngitis most commonly causes a hoarse voice. It can be caused by overuse, irritants or it can be a result from gastro esophageal reflux. Laryngitis can cause complete loss of the voice and resting is very important for healing laryngitis. This is one of the most known vocal cord disorders because it is most often linked to overuse of the voice from singing or yelling.

Another vocal cord disorder is vocal nodules. These are growths on the vocal cords that are not cancerous. They usually grow in pairs in the areas where vocal cords come together and vibrate to produce sound. Nodules are very similar to a callus that you would get on your hand from excessive use. Symptoms of vocal nodules include a hoarse or breathy sounding voice.

A vocal polyp is like a nodule, except it is more like a blister than a callus. Polyps are often a result of cigarette smoking. Also, they have been linked to hypothyroidism, gastro esophageal reflux, and overuse of the voice. They can cause the voice to sound hoarse or of a lower tone than normal.

Vocal Cord Paralysis results when one or both of the vocal cords dont work properly. This is a very common vocal cord disorder. It can be mild or serious. If both vocal cords are paralyzed it can be extremely difficult to eat or breathe. If only one of the cords is paralyzed it is typically able to be treated without further issues or interference with eating and breathing. However, it is imperative to find assistance if you think you might be suffering from vocal cord paralysis so you can avoid more severe issues.

There are other voice disorders that happen less frequently. For example, ulcers can be caused by forced speech. Laryngeal papillomatosis is another one, though it is rare and is caused by HPV, which results in tumors in the vocal cords.

The most common vocal cord disorders are mild and can be treated. However, you must change your vocal habits or remove yourself from certain situations in order to avoid continued issues. Most commonly, the best treatment for minor vocal cord problems is to simply rest the voice and avoid harmful irritants. As mentioned, most vocal cord disorders may not be too serious, but there is always a possibility of a more severe problem. So, always see a doctor if you are experiencing any issues with your voice or vocal cords.

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