There are more and less common vocal cord diseases, but they all have to do with the voice. And it is that these normal anatomical structures are where the vibrations that allow us to communicate with speech originate.
The vocal cords are found in the larynx and are actually small muscles attached at the front. Above them are folds that are not muscular and are called “false vocal cords.” Although they do not perform the same function, they are involved in phonation.
What are the most common diseases of the vocal cords?
The most frequent diseases of the vocal cords are few and can be counted on the fingers of one hand. They concentrate most of the affections of the voice and they do it, above all, in people exposed to these pathologies.
They are usually linked to a risk factor. THE teachersFor example, due to their profession, they are in a constant state of vocal effort. On the other hand, those who engage in outdoor activities in cold climates are prone to hoarseness.
Some ailments have an infectious origin, while others are typical of overuse, i.e. anatomical changes are formed due to the touch between the two vocal cords. Sometimes the diagnosis is difficult at the beginning, when the signs are just beginning.
We can say that the most frequent diseases of the vocal cords are the following three:
- nodules
- Laryngitis.
- polyps.
Let’s take a closer look at each of them.
1. Vocal cord nodules
Vocal nodules are benign nodule-like formations on the cords. They are located within the limits of it and close the gap through which the air should pass. That’s why the voice suffers.
Most commonly, the initial sign is a change in voice timbre. The person usually perceives that he no longer speaks as before, with the same intensity or tone that he had before the injuries.
The main cause of vocal nodules is overuse of the voice. Therefore, it is considered a occupational disease, typical of teachers or singers who talk at length in front of others. However, it’s not exclusive to them.
Some risk factors favor the onset of the disorder. Smokers are a group of people who are more likely to develop nodules because nicotine acts as an irritant to the vocal cords.
Likewise, gastroesophageal reflux is a disease that can damage the same area of ​​the larynx. Hydrochloric acid from the stomach leaves its original place and travels to the airways, eroding the lining therein.
Fortunately, the lump is always benign. This means that it does not progress towards malignancy such as laryngeal cancer. This allows us to initially consider a conservative approach, with anti-inflammatories and vocal re-education; a task performed by speech therapists.
If the nodule is sizable, does not respond well to conservative measures, or there are many with a poor prognosis for improvement, your option is surgery. Naturally, after it, rehabilitation is required.
2. Laryngitis
Inflammation of the larynx due to various causes is known as laryngitis.. Although the term refers to an accumulation of inflammatory fluid throughout the organ structure, the most affected are always the vocal cords.
For this reason, the key symptom is dysphonia, that is, the alteration of the voice that becomes hoarse or disappears completely, in what would be hoarseness. It’s insidious, much more than pharyngitis, and can last up to 3 weeks in total.
Along with the change in voice there is usually a dry, scratchy cough, caused by a lack of glands in the larynx. Since it cannot be lubricated, the mucus adequate to expel the irritating agent, be it a microorganism or an inert foreign body.
The causes are contagious, almost always. Inside them, the virus they take most of them, and the winter season is the right time to combine a climate prone to upper respiratory conditions.
Because they are viral infections, antibiotics are not indicated in almost all patients, unless there is a bacterial superinfection or the cause is a microbe sensitive to these drugs. The treatment, therefore, will be symptomatic.
Rest of the voice, some anti-inflammatories are recommended which reduce the liquid accumulated inside the laryngeal tissues and nebulisations to thin the mucus. Cultures are not done unless suspected bacterial be very tall
3. Vocal polyps
Finally, polyps are very similar to nodules, although not the same. Generally, they are protrusions of the vocal cords that protrude to a greater extent and further obstruct the space through which the air should pass.
As a common disease of the vocal cords, it is also diagnosed by a vocal consultation. The dysphonia and the timbre change are the particular signs that indicate the need for a diagnosis.
They also result from excessive use of the voice, which explains why they are called, in other words, “polypoid degeneration”. This denotes it the underlying process is a change in the tissue of the vocal cordstending to stand out beyond the limits that correspond to it.
In addition to the clinical examination, the specialist can perform a complementary method to confirm the presence of polyps. This study is laryngoscopy, performed with a flexible device that is inserted through the nose, with a very small light and a camera that are responsible for direct and direct recording of the state of the vocal cords.
What to do if I have one of these common vocal cord diseases?
If you suspect a vocal nodule or polyp, it’s best to see an otolaryngologist. This specialty has sufficient knowledge to perform the complementary methods that the disease requires.
If you have winter laryngitis, with persistent hoarseness, a doctor can fix it. In one way or another, it is always preferable that the evaluation is professional, before proceeding with self-medication.
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