How to Know if You Have Vocal Nodes
Overview
What are vocal cord lesions?
Vocal cord lesions, also known as vocal fold lesions, are benign (noncancerous) growths that include nodules, polyps, and cysts. All tin crusade hoarseness and may be associated with vocal overuse or song cord trauma.
Vocal cord nodule
Vocal string nodules, sometimes called singer's nodules or nodes, result from repetitive overuse or misuse of the voice. These callous-like growths develop in the midpoint of the vocal folds. Vocal cord nodules wait similar calluses nether the microscope and are occasionally associated with aberrant claret vessels. Women between the ages of twenty and 50 years old are more prone to vocal cord nodules, but both men and women can be affected.
Song cord polyp
Vocal cord polyps are different from nodules considering they can occur on either one or both vocal cords. They tend to be more vascularized than nodules, meaning they have more claret vessels and appear reddish in color. These growths can vary in size and shape, but are unremarkably larger than nodules and resemble blisters. Like song cord nodules, polyps can be caused past overuse or misuse of the voice, but can as well be caused by a single episode of vocal corruption (such equally yelling at a sports outcome). Another type of song cord polyp, polypoid corditis (Reinke's edema), is associated almost exclusively with smoking.
Both vocal cord nodules and polyps can be caused by dissimilar forms of trauma, including singing (especially in professional person singers), screaming, cheerleading, and excessive talking (such as that by a teacher, coach, salesperson or radio personality). Other causes include actress muscle tension when speaking, smoking, alcohol use, sinusitis, allergies, and rarely, hypothyroidism.
Vocal cord cyst
Vocal cord cysts are growths that take a sac around a fluid-filled or semisolid centre. These are less mutual than vocal cord nodules and polyps. There are two types of vocal string cysts, mucus retentivity cysts and epidermoid (or sebaceous) cysts. Cysts are not typically associated with overuse of the voice or vocal fold trauma.
Song cord lesions also can exist caused by using the voice while one is sick with an upper respiratory infection or laryngitis.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of song string lesions?
Vocal cord lesions tin result in hoarseness, breathiness, multiple tones, loss of vocal range, song fatigue or loss of voice.
Patients with song cord nodules or polyps may describe their vocalization as harsh, raspy, or scratchy. There may be frequent voice breaks, piece of cake vocal fatigue with use or there may be a decreased range of vocal sounds. Pain is another symptom that is felt equally a shooting hurting from ear to ear, full general cervix pain or as a lump in the throat. Patients may likewise experience frequent coughing, pharynx clearing, or general fatigue.
Diagnosis and Tests
How are vocal cord lesions diagnosed?
If a patient experiences a hoarse voice, pain or other symptoms for more than two to iii weeks, he or she should visit an otolaryngologist (ear, olfactory organ, and throat medico) or encounter a subspecialized laryngologist who has actress training in caring for the disorders affecting the voice box. The medico will examine the patient'south head and neck, as well as get a voice utilize history. The otolaryngologist then has the ability to evaluate the patient's song cords with a special telescopic, oftentimes using a special strobe light to see the vibration of the vocal cords. Additional testing and treatment volition be adamant based on this initial exam.
Direction and Treatment
How are vocal string lesions treated?
The correct diagnosis of vocal cord lesions is very important considering therapy tin range from conservative behavioral, medical, and dietary treatments to more invasive treatments similar surgery.
Nodules are typically treated conservatively with phonation therapy and behavioral modification under the guidance of a speech language pathologist. Surgery is reserved for refractory lesions or in situations where vocal needs are not being met with vocalisation therapy alone. In dissimilarity to nodules, polyps and cysts do not typically respond to vocalism therapy and are best managed with a surgical arroyo.
Handling of underlying medical problems that bear upon the vox, such equally reflux, allergies, and sinusitis, may assistance lessen the severity or occurrence of vocal lesions and heighten vocal hygiene in general. Behavioral intervention for smoking cessation, stress reduction, and improved vocal awareness may also ease voice problems. Voice therapy typically reinforces these behaviors and provides techniques and strategies to maximize vocal efficiency and function.
Prevention
How can I prevent a song string lesion?
If you accept a vocal string disorder, you can:
- Finish smoking, and avoid being in smoke-filled rooms.
- If you lot have hypothyroidism, sinusitis, allergies, or reflux, get treatment.
- Avoid excess utilise of booze and limit caffeine intake.
- Potable plenty of water.
- Get a good night'south sleep.
- Avert excessive talking or speaking loudly without acceptable vocal rest.
- Use a microphone.
- Use a humidifier in your abode.
- Warm up your voice earlier singing or prolonged speaking.
- Rest your voice in anticipation of future speaking obligations.
- Avoid singing or excessive talking if you take an upper respiratory infection.
- Wash your hands often.
- Use stress reduction techniques, cognitive therapy, or yoga to lessen muscle tension.
Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15424-vocal-cord-lesions-nodules-polyps-and-cysts
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