Vocal cord paralysis and paresis, and neurological problems affecting your voice
What is vocal cord paralysis?
Normally, vocal cords, just like other muscles, receive a nerve impulse, which makes them move. A vocal cord paralysis is an absence of nerve input to the cord.
The effects of vocal cord paralysis:
Your vocal cords are responsible not only for your vocal performance. They are also essential for your survival, since they keep your food and drink out of your windpipe.
Therefore, any vocal cord paralysis, especially a bad one, requires consulting an ENTdoctor.
Types of Vocal cord paralysis:
- Paralysis, i.e. complete paralysis
- Paresis, i.e. partial paralysis.
- Reversible paralysis
- Irreversible paralysis
It is most important to locate the paralyzed cord accurately:
If the paralyzed cord is in the center, it will be less harmful to your voice production, since the other cord will allow the closing of the cords. You will suffer greater vocal folds closing difficulties in case the paralyzed cord is on the side.
Possible causes of vocal cords paralysis:
- Vocal cord nerve damage caused by surgical intubation, i.e. tube inserted between the cords, in order to expand airways.
- Nerve damage cause by cold, viruses or bacteria.
- Vocal cords trauma due to intense vocal effort, such as crying, shouting, or intense coughing.
There are other causes, which cannot always be detected.
Common Vocals symptoms of vocal cords paralysis
- Weak voice.
- Airy voice;
- Vocal difficulties.
- Hoarseness, etc.
TMRG's treatment of vocal cord paralysis:
Most important: you must start the treatment as immediately as possible.
Some specialists say that in cases of reversible vocal cord paralysis, a recovery will be easier if it is treated within one year after it starts.
However, we recommend the following treatment even in cases of irreversible paralysis. In this case, this treatment serves to exercise the healthy cord, in order to keep it from being damaged by overstraining.This way, it improves your vocal quality.
The treatment, in both cases, is exercising with TPV device.
The exercise has two parts:
- Breathing out, overcoming the water's resistance, making ascending and descending tones. It serves to contract your vocal cords, thus increasing their flexibility. The water's resistance also minimizes the friction between the vocal folds.
- Inhalation of vapors, which serves to moisturize and relax your vocal cords and false vocal cords.
The combination of exercising with TPV device, on one hand, and using TMRG natural solutions, on the other hand, is an easy and effective way to practice voice production.
Good luck and get well,
Talya
TMRG voice specialist
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