Managing Voice Disorders And Vocal Cord Conditions

There are many reasons why people develop voice disorders or encounter vocal cord conditions. Whether they’re something that they have from birth, from a young age or it has suddenly cropped up recently in adulthood, managing this disorder or condition is something to be made aware of. Ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors are trained for illnesses regarding your ear, nose and throat. In this guide, you’ll learn more about voice disorders and vocal cord conditions. As well as the signs and symptoms, you’ll also get the best advice for managing the condition so that you can have the best quality of life possible.

What Causes a Voice Disorder or Vocal Cord Conditions?

Individuals can develop a voice disorder or vocal cord condition for many reasons. A voice disorder can change how the voice sounds and there are a number of treatments that are available. The reasons that cause a voice disorder or vocal cord condition to happen can include any of the following:

• Spasmodic dysphonia
• Laryngitis
• Vocal cord paralysis or weakness
• Precancerous and cancerous growths
• Nodules or cysts on the local cords
• White patches

If vocal cords become swollen or inflamed, develop growths or don’t move as they should, this can cause a voice disorder. There are many risks that can cause voice disorders and vocal cord conditions. These include aging, alcohol use, screaming, throat cancer, throat dehydration and thyroid problems to name but a few.

Signs and Symptoms of Voice Disorders

What are the signs that you’ve got a voice disorder or a problem with your vocal cords? The signs and symptoms are apparent just by listening to the person’s voice in general. Any change from their usual voice is a cause for concern. However, there are certain signs and symptoms that you should pay close attention to.

Weak or Breathy Voice

If the voice has become weak and the person is whispering or expelling a lot of breath while talking, then this could be a vocal cord condition that needs addressing.

Abnormally High or Low Pitch

Everyone’s voice sounds different and so the change may be subtle or significantly different. If the pitch of their voice is too high or too low, then this is a common sign to look out for.

Quivering Sound

A quivering sound as they talk is something that can be an indicator of a voice disorder that needs addressing. If the voice sounds shaky, that would indicate this quivering sound that’s typical with vocal cord conditions.

How to Manage Vocal Cord Conditions

Now that you know what causes these voice disorders and the signs or symptoms of vocal cord conditions, how do you manage it best? With any voice disorders, it’s best to see an ENT doctor. These specialists in ear, nose and throat, are going to be more helpful than the general doctor you go to for everything else.

An ENT will ask you about the voice problems you’re having and how it may have come about in the first place. They’ll then do an exam and perhaps provide you with some numbing medicine in order to make the experience more comfortable for you if you’re in pain. There are a number of tools that they may use in order to get a closer look at the vocal cords in general. These include:

• Flexible laryngoscope: A bendable tube with a light and camera attached. This is put through the nose.
• Mirror: Much like a dental mirror, this mirror is long and angled for a better view of the throat.
• Rigid laryngoscope: A stiff viewing tube that’s put through the mouth and is an alternative to the flexible option which is put in the nose.
• Video stroboscope: A camera with a flashing light to help show the vocal cords functioning in slow motion.

Amongst a mix of other tests, they will then figure out the best course of action. This may be through surgery or therapy to help improve or fix the condition itself. There are plenty of ENT specialists out there but if you’re looking for one of the best in the area, then you’ll want to get in touch with Mountain Ear, Nose & Throat Associates. They’ll be able to guide you through the whole process of diagnosing your disorder or vocal cord condition.

Make sure to give is a call at Sylva: 828-586-7474, Franklin: 828-524-5599, Murphy: 828-835-1014 and New Asheville: 828-458-8100 for help with your vocal cord condition or voice disorder.