Symptoms of asthma are often similar to those of the vocal cords. As a result, many people have difficulty in distinguishing the two conditions. So, how to tell the difference?
The vocal cords are a pair of small muscles in the larynx. If they vibrate, these two muscles will produce sound. However, just like any other tissue in the body, the vocal cords can also be damaged and susceptible to infection, tumors, or injury.
Your vocal cords can close uncontrollably when you breathe. This is referred to as a vocal cord abnormality or dysfunction. But there are also those who call it laryngeal dysfunction or paradoxical vocal cord movement.
Vocal cord dysfunction can sometimes develop quickly and may require hospitalization. This malfunction of the vocal cords can happen to anyone, but women are more prone to it.
Causes and Symptoms of Vocal Cord Disorders
Abnormalities in the vocal cords can be caused by many factors, such as exercise, speaking too much, chronic coughing, lumps or tumors on the vocal cords, acid reflux disease/GERD, vocal cord nerve disorders, allergies, stress, cigarette smoke, smoke or odors. strong, or upper respiratory tract infection.
A person who has a vocal cord disorder can usually be recognized by a variety of symptoms, such as:
- Hoarseness.
- Wheezing (noisy sound when breathing).
- Feeling choking or suffocating.
- Frequent cough.
- Throat feels lumpy.
- Hard to breathe.
- Difficulty inhaling and exhaling air.
Distinguishing vocal cord disorders with asthma
The symptoms of vocal cord dysfunction mentioned above are the same as those of asthma. These two conditions can even occur simultaneously. As a result, distinguishing symptoms from one another may be difficult.
However, unlike asthma, vocal cord dysfunction does not involve the lower respiratory tract and does not always result from an immune system reaction. Therefore, the treatment for the two conditions is different.
To establish a diagnosis of vocal cord abnormalities, the doctor will perform a series of physical examinations, as well as additional examinations in the form of vocal cord nerve electrical tests, laryngoscopy procedures, pulmonary function tests, complete blood tests, and X-rays.
Your doctor may also diagnose vocal cord abnormalities if:
- The results of breathing tests (pulmonary function) or other asthma tests are normal.
- Asthma medications are not successful in relieving symptoms.
- Inhaling is more difficult than exhaling.
Treatment of vocal cord disorders is tailored to the cause. However, doctors will generally advise to reduce speech or voice for some time, avoid cigarette smoke or dirty air, give medicines to reduce irritation and inflammation of the vocal cords, or suggest vocal cord surgery if needed.
Vocal cord dysfunction is often associated with panic attacks or anxiety that requires antianxiety medication, speech therapy, and psychotherapy to prevent recurrence. Therefore, treatment for vocal cord dysfunction caused by psychological factors often involves the help of doctors, speech therapists, and psychiatrists.
Immediately consult an ENT specialist or go to the emergency department if your vocal cord dysfunction causes hoarseness accompanied by coughing up blood, unexplained pain, lump in the throat, or difficulty swallowing. Also if the hoarseness does not go away even though it has been more than two weeks, or the voice disappears for several days.
