Vocal Cord Dysfunction

VOCAL CORD DYSFUNCTION

Do you experience unexplained shortness of breath, noisy breathing, wheezing or throat tightness?

Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD), otherwise known as Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement (PVFM), is more often categorised in the broader class of upper airway disorders. People with VCD can experience episodic shortness of breath, noisy breathing, and sometimes experience attacks where they are suddenly unable to breathe. There may be a chronic dry cough or frequent throat clearing. Voice and swallowing problems may also be present.

VCD occurs when the vocal folds close rather than stay open when you are breathing. This usually occurs when you are breathing in, so that breathing in feels more difficult than breathing out. This is in contrast to those suffering asthma who typically have more difficulty breathing out, however vocal cord dysfunction can sometimes co-occur with asthma.

TREATMENT

Once associated conditions (if any) are managed medically, the most successful treatment for VCD is speech pathology. Speech pathologists treat VCD without drugs, by teaching exercises that help to control and retrain breathing, to keep the vocal cords open, to reduce overall throat irritation and improve relaxation. Any coinciding voice and swallowing problems can also be addressed during therapy.