Vocal cord nodules are benign (noncancerous) developments on both vocal cords that are caused by vocal abuse. In time, restarted abuse of the vocal cords leads to soft, inflamed spots on each vocal cord. These spots develop into more difficult, callous-like developments called nodules. The nodules will end up being bigger and stiffer the longer the vocal abuse continues.
Polyps can take a number of types. They are in some cases caused by vocal abuse. Polyps appear on either one or both of the vocal cords. They appear as a swelling or bump (like a nodule), a stalk-like development, or a blister-like sore. A lot of polyps are larger than nodules and may be called by other names, such as polypoid degeneration or Reinke’s edema. The very best way to consider the distinction in between blemishes and polyps is to think about a blemish as a callous and a polyp as a blister.
Symptoms of Throat Polyps
Throat polyps are benign growths that can present on either one or both of the vocal cords, and they resemble either a blemish, with swelling or a bump, a sore, which may look just like a blister, or a stalk-like development. There are a range of different symptoms and signs of both throat polyps, consisting of:
- An experience of having a lump in the throat
- A scratchy, hoarse, breathy and/or rough voice
- Reduced pitch range
- Neck pain
- Fatigue of the voice and body
- A shooting pain from ear to ear
Causes for Throat Polyps
The development of polyps in your throat can be caused by different things, such as a single traumatic event like yelling at a show, GERD, hypothyroidism, long term smoking or vocal abuse. There are a number of different types of vocal abuse, such as the following:
- Consuming caffeine and alcohol, as it dries your throat and your vocal cords
- Training
- Cheerleading
- Speaking loudly
- Singing
- Allergies
- Cigarette smoking
- Stressful muscles
- Women in between twenty and fifty years old deal with vocal blemishes more typically, for some unknown reason.
Remedies for Throat Polyps
Root Causes Treatments
There are medical, surgical and behavioral treatments that can be used to deal with polyps. Surgery, which eliminates the polyp from the vocal cord, is just used when required, such as a polyp that can grow fairly large or if it has actually been in location for a long time and surgery is hardly ever utilized on children.
Voice Therapy
An SLP can also provide the valuable resources of behavioral therapy and voice treatment. There are a number of various focuses of voice therapy, consisting of the following:
- To minimize and/or stop vocal abusive behaviors
- Teaching excellent vocal hygiene
- Learn to change the pitch, volume and breath assistance
- Stress reduction techniques
- Relaxation exercises
Depending on the scenario the treatment can include a speech therapist, an adjustment of your voice practices and/or resting the voice, which involves little or no speaking for a couple of weeks.
Medical Interventions
To minimize influence on your vocal cords, treatments for thyroid problems, GERD and allergies might be necessary. It is likewise often needed to administer medical intervention to help stop smoking cigarettes or even to manage stress. In some cases an inhaled steroid spray can be made use of for treatment.
Surgery
There are some cases, in which the doctor may have to surgically eliminate the polyp(s) and/or carry out a biopsy. A biopsy is done to guarantee there is no cancer present. The surgery to get rid of the polyp(s) can be performed during a laryngoscopy, where a metal tube is inserted through the mouth into the throat; there is a light on completion of the tube as well. The physician then threads a little, but sharp cut-shaped punch through to clip off the polyp(s). As soon as the polyp(s) is removed you need to follow up with voice treatment.
