How to Know if You Have Nodes
Overview
What are vocal string lesions?
Vocal string lesions, also known as song fold lesions, are benign (noncancerous) growths that include nodules, polyps, and cysts. All can cause hoarseness and may exist associated with vocal overuse or vocal cord trauma.
Vocal cord nodule
Vocal cord nodules, sometimes called singer's nodules or nodes, issue from repetitive overuse or misuse of the voice. These callous-like growths develop in the midpoint of the song folds. Vocal cord nodules wait like calluses under the microscope and are occasionally associated with abnormal blood vessels. Women betwixt the ages of 20 and l years sometime are more than prone to song cord nodules, but both men and women tin be affected.
Vocal cord polyp
Vocal cord polyps are dissimilar from nodules because they can occur on either one or both vocal cords. They tend to be more vascularized than nodules, meaning they have more blood vessels and appear reddish in color. These growths tin vary in size and shape, only are usually larger than nodules and resemble blisters. Similar vocal cord nodules, polyps can be caused by overuse or misuse of the vocalism, but tin as well exist caused by a unmarried episode of vocal corruption (such as yelling at a sports issue). Another blazon of vocal cord polyp, polypoid corditis (Reinke'southward edema), is associated almost exclusively with smoking.
Both song cord nodules and polyps can be acquired past different forms of trauma, including singing (specially in professional person singers), screaming, cheerleading, and excessive talking (such as that by a teacher, coach, salesperson or radio personality). Other causes include extra muscle tension when speaking, smoking, booze employ, sinusitis, allergies, and rarely, hypothyroidism.
Vocal cord cyst
Vocal cord cysts are growths that have a sac around a fluid-filled or semisolid heart. These are less mutual than vocal string nodules and polyps. There are two types of vocal cord cysts, mucus retention cysts and epidermoid (or sebaceous) cysts. Cysts are not typically associated with overuse of the voice or vocal fold trauma.
Vocal string lesions besides can be caused by using the vocalization while one is sick with an upper respiratory infection or laryngitis.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of vocal cord lesions?
Vocal string lesions tin can result in hoarseness, breathiness, multiple tones, loss of vocal range, vocal fatigue or loss of vocalisation.
Patients with vocal string nodules or polyps may depict their vocalism as harsh, raspy, or scratchy. There may be frequent vocalization breaks, easy vocal fatigue with employ or there may exist a decreased range of vocal sounds. Pain is another symptom that is felt every bit a shooting pain from ear to ear, general neck hurting or equally a lump in the pharynx. Patients may also experience frequent cough, throat clearing, or general fatigue.
Diagnosis and Tests
How are vocal string lesions diagnosed?
If a patient experiences a hoarse phonation, pain or other symptoms for more than 2 to three weeks, he or she should visit an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat doctor) or see a subspecialized laryngologist who has extra training in caring for the disorders affecting the vox box. The physician will examine the patient's caput and neck, likewise as become a voice use history. The otolaryngologist then has the ability to evaluate the patient's vocal cords with a special scope, oftentimes using a special strobe light to run into the vibration of the vocal cords. Additional testing and treatment will be determined based on this initial test.
Management and Treatment
How are song cord lesions treated?
The correct diagnosis of vocal cord lesions is very important considering therapy tin can range from bourgeois behavioral, medical, and dietary treatments to more than invasive treatments like surgery.
Nodules are typically treated conservatively with voice therapy and behavioral modification under the guidance of a speech linguistic communication pathologist. Surgery is reserved for refractory lesions or in situations where vocal needs are not being met with vox therapy solitary. In dissimilarity to nodules, polyps and cysts practice not typically respond to vocalism therapy and are best managed with a surgical approach.
Treatment of underlying medical problems that affect the voice, such equally reflux, allergies, and sinusitis, may help lessen the severity or occurrence of vocal lesions and enhance vocal hygiene in general. Behavioral intervention for smoking cessation, stress reduction, and improved song awareness may also ease vocalisation issues. Vox therapy typically reinforces these behaviors and provides techniques and strategies to maximize vocal efficiency and function.
Prevention
How can I prevent a song cord lesion?
If y'all have a vocal cord disorder, you can:
- Stop smoking, and avoid being in smoke-filled rooms.
- If you have hypothyroidism, sinusitis, allergies, or reflux, become handling.
- Avoid backlog use of alcohol and limit caffeine intake.
- Potable plenty of water.
- Become a good dark's sleep.
- Avert excessive talking or speaking loudly without acceptable vocal rest.
- Use a microphone.
- Use a humidifier in your home.
- Warm up your vocalism before singing or prolonged speaking.
- Rest your vocalism in apprehension of future speaking obligations.
- Avoid singing or excessive talking if you have an upper respiratory infection.
- Wash your hands oftentimes.
- Use stress reduction techniques, cerebral 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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