Vocal Cord Dysfunction
Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) was first described as a psychological condition. The first people to be diagnosed with it were women; once men began to be diagnosed, it was researched more and found to be a physical condition of the vocal cords.
So, what is it?
VCD is a condition of the vocal cords in which the vocal cords may close or partially close during inhalation. Normally, the vocal cords remain open during inhalation and constrict when exhaling – producing your voice. This can cause difficulty breathing and an episode can be triggered by various things.
Symptoms
Sometimes symptoms are mistaken for an asthma attack, due to several similarities. Episodes are generally considered less severe than asthma attacks. They include:
• Throat tightness or a feeling of a “flutter” in the throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty speaking
• Inability to speak
• Noisy inhalation
• Gasping
• Cough
• Feeling of being strangled
Triggers
Triggers vary by person, and some affect them more than others or not at all. These include:
• Acid reflux
• Stress and anxiety
• Strong smells, like perfume and cleaning products
• Allergies
• Strong emotions
• Postnasal drip
• Exercise
• Cough
• Vocal strain
How is it treated?
The biggest part of treatment is to minimize triggers. In cases where it’s triggered by GERD, allergies, or postnasal drip, the underlying causes are treated first. Identifying what triggers it and finding ways to avoid exposure – like masking – is next. A speech pathologist can also help with therapy and exercises to help relax the vocal cords.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis is typically done with a scope of the vocal cords. Your nostril is given a numbing spray and a scope is placed through the nostril until the throat and vocal cords are visible. They go through a series of tests with speaking and breathing to observe how the vocal cords behave. If they have a known or suspected trigger, they might expose it to you to observe your vocal cords’ reaction.
What does it look like?
I was diagnosed with VCD as a teenager. I recorded part of the test that diagnosed me.
In the video, they have just placed a scope into my nostril where the vocal cords are easily seen. The doctor goes through a few things: breathing normally, talking, and singing; then my known irritant, an air freshener, is sprayed in the room.
Once the air freshener is sprayed, my vocal cords begin behaving abnormally and sometimes closing while I am inhaling. I also begin coughing.
Click for the video of my scope:
Resources
Mount Sinai
John Hopkins
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
