Do I Have Vocal Cord Paralysis?

Does your voice have a breathy?

Do you have hoarseness?

Do you have noisy breathing or shortness of breath?

Do you choke or cough while swallowing food, drink or saliva?

Do you have loss of vocal pitch?

Are you unable to speak loudly?

Have you completely lost the ability to speak?

Do you need to take frequent breaths while speaking?

Do you frequently clear your throat?

Do you have a weak cough so that you are not able to cough up mucus even though you try persistently?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have a vocal cord paralysis. Vocal cord paralysis is a voice disorder characterized by improper opening and closing of the vocal cords. Paralysis of one of the vocal cords is a common disorder, while paralysis of both vocal cords is a rare but extremely dangerous condition. The vocal cords are two elastic bands of muscle tissue that open when you inhale and close when you swallow, so there is no possibility that something you eat or drink enters the airways. When you speak, the vocal cords vibrate between the open and closed positions to make a sound.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have a vocal cord paralysis. Vocal cord paralysis is a voice disorder caused by the disruption of nerve impulses coming from your brain to your vocal cords, leading to paralysis of the vocal cord muscles. Vocal cord paralysis usually affects one of the two vocal cords, leading to speech impairment, breathing and swallowing problems. This condition is usually caused by various neurological disorders (stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease), but it can also be caused by nerve damage during surgery or a viral infection. Diagnosing is based on several tests including laryngoscopy, laryngeal electromyography, blood tests and scans.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have a vocal cord paralysis. Vocal cord paralysis is a medical condition caused by the interruption of nerve impulses in your voice box (larynx). Vocal cord paralysis interferes with your ability to speak and breathe. Treatment includes voice therapy, various surgical procedures, or a combination of these methods. In some people, the voice may recover naturally during the first year after the onset of the disease. Doctors usually recommend voice therapy during this period, which includes exercises to control breathing and strengthen the vocal cords. If voice therapy does not help, the doctor will recommend surgery.