1. How many types of disorders can be mentioned when it comes to disorders in the vocal cords in general?
It is possible to examine the disorders in the vocal cords under two main headings: organic, that is, structural, and functional, that is, functional. Problems such as laryngitis, cysts, polyps, and paralysis of the vocal cords can be given as examples of structural disorders; the treatment is mostly medications or surgical interventions. Functional disorders are due to psychological reasons, psychiatric consultation or professional voice therapy is required.
2. Which disorders are most common in the vocal cords?
The most common disorder of the vocal cords is laryngitis, that is, inflammation of the larynx that accompanies colds. It is generally short-term and recovery occurs within days without leaving any problems or sequelae.
3. What are the main causes of disorders in the vocal cords?
The most common cause of long-term disorders in the vocal cords is excessive and inappropriate use of the vocal cords. Polyps and cysts of the vocal cords can easily form due to strain on the vocal cords during laryngitis. Even without inflammation, vocal cord nodules may occur due to long-term strain on the vocal cords.
4. What kind of symptoms do vocal cord diseases manifest themselves with?
For example, does it cause a difference in the tone of the voice, what problems should the person suspect? The most obvious feature of voice diseases is the deterioration in the quality and performance of the voice. The most common complaints expressed by patients are voice cracking, thickening, voice becoming cloudy, and not being able to talk or sing as long as before. In addition, problems that are not directly related to the voice, such as a feeling of a lump in the throat, a burning throat, the need to clear the throat frequently, a persistent dry cough, can also accompany long-term voice disorders, and may even be the main reason for the patient to consult a doctor.
Voice disorders affect approximately 5% of the population. Of those, 16% are teachers and 5% are artists. People with voice disorders do not care about their voice problems unless they have problems in their professional lives or their quality of life deteriorates. In addition, lack of knowledge and concerns about the treatments of voice diseases cause people to act negligently.
6. What is the difference between vocal cord nodule and polyp?
Vocal cord nodules are thickenings in the vocal cords that occur with long-term and inappropriate voice use, they are a kind of callus on the vocal cords. They are mostly seen in women and in teachers and singers who use their voices a lot due to their profession. They disappear by learning appropriate voice use through voice therapy. In stubborn cases, they must be removed by endoscopic microsurgery applied to the vocal cords. Voice therapy must be applied after the surgery to prevent recurrence.
Polyps usually manifest themselves with persistent hoarseness that persists after a cold. They are unilateral mucosal thickenings in the vocal cords and are resistant to voice therapy. The preferred treatment method is endoscopic microsurgery, voice therapy is not necessary after surgery, recurrence is rare.
7. It is said that cyst formation in the vocal cords may be congenital. Is it true?
Although congenital cystic formations can occur anywhere in the larynx, cysts of the vocal cords appear later, and the common cause of their occurrence is usually the common cold. Endoscopic microsurgery is recommended to improve voice discomfort.
8. Are voice disorders seen only in people who use their voices, such as singers and teachers? If they do not use their voices much, what is the reason?
Voice disorders are more common in those who use their voices intensively due to their profession, and when it occurs, it may affect their professional life. Since it is an obstacle, the discomfort it causes to the patient is also more evident. However, voice disorders may also occur in people who do not use their voice intensively. Disorders such as polyps, cysts, chronic larynx inflammations can also be seen in people who do not use their voice intensively, while Reinke's edema is more common in women. and smoking is the most important factor.
9. What are the other reasons that distort the sound?
The most important factor in sound quality is undoubtedly the soundness of the structures involved in sound formation. The lungs, larynx and structures in the mouth must be healthy. Problems in these structures can also cause voice and speech disorders. In addition, factors that cause irritation and inflammation in the vocal cords may also cause deterioration in voice quality. Climate conditions, ambient air quality, and chemicals exposed to in the work environment can cause irritation to the vocal cords. Reflux problem, which has become important recently, can also cause problems in the larynx and voice. Stomach acid reaching the larynx with reflux makes the vocal cords more sensitive due to chemical irritation. Since reflux is generally a long-lasting disorder, chronic changes may occur in the larynx. People with voice disorders often require examination and treatment for reflux.
10. When we look at it, are voice disorders more common in women or men?
Although voice disorders are seen in both genders, there are voice disorders that are more common depending on gender. While nodule, Reinke's edema and hyperfunctional voice disorder are more common in women, hypofunctional voice disorder and contact granuloma are typically seen in men. Cysts, polyps and paralysis of the vocal cords are seen in both genders.
11. It is a known fact that the voice deteriorates from time to time, even if the person does not have any discomfort. (Like women's menstrual periods) What can we list like these?
One of the most important reasons affecting voice formation and quality is personality structure and mood. Joy, sadness, stress and anxiety can cause the voice to change even within seconds, and they also have long-term effects on the voice. In addition, general health status and body condition can also affect the voice.
12. Is surgical intervention usually required for voice disorders?
Could you give information about treatment and voice exercises? Treatment for voice disorders is planned according to the cause. Voice disorders caused by cysts, polyps, chronic Reinke's edema can be treated with medications or The chance of success with voice therapy is low. Treatment with endoscopically applied microsurgery methods is possible in a short time and has a high chance of success. Voice therapy is primarily applied to functional voice diseases and the nodules that arise as a result. Voice therapy is applied to ensure the proper and economical functioning of the structures that contribute to voice formation. With exercises, the patient is taught correct breathing and relaxation techniques, as well as exercises that strengthen the vocal cords. The success of the treatment depends on the patient performing these exercises regularly and applying them in his daily life. Surgical methods may be considered in voice diseases due to nodules or vocal cord paralysis where adequate improvement cannot be achieved with voice therapy.
13. What should a person do to take good care of his voice?
Especially those who use their voices intensively due to their profession should protect their voices well. Overload on the vocal cords should be avoided (speaking loudly, speaking in noisy environments), a microphone should be used in presentations if possible, and addressing from room to room should be avoided. Long phone calls should be avoided and the handset should be held in the hand to avoid straining the neck muscles. Using the voice under cold and psychological tension should be avoided. Professional voice users should stay away from cigarettes and cigarette smoke, as cigarette smoke causes dryness and irritation in the vocal cords. Water and humidity are very important for the vocal cords, plenty of water should be drunk and the humidity of the environment should be kept high. While singing, after warming up the voice, low and high notes should be reached. If hoarseness occurs and lasts longer than two weeks, an ENT specialist should be consulted.
14. What may be the consequences of not treating voice diseases?
Short-term voice disorders are generally seen in upper respiratory tract infections, and if careful treatment is performed, recovery is complete without sequelae and they do not cause many problems. Long-term hoarseness, regardless of the cause, creates a vicious circle; the severity of the disorder tends to increase, thus creating problems in professional and private life. As a result, it becomes difficult or even impossible to fulfill the profession. Situations such as homelessness and restrictions in private life frequently occur. In cases where a diagnosis is not made, it is possible for malignant diseases to be overlooked. Therefore, in cases where hoarseness lasts longer than two weeks, an ENT specialist should be diagnosed and treatment should be started as soon as possible.
15. Can you give information about voice deepening or thinning surgeries?
Is it a difficult operation? Who is it mostly performed on? Can it be performed on anyone? What should you pay attention to? In cases of deepening of the voice due to an increase in mass in the vocal cords, such as Reinke's edema, polyp or cyst, the voice regains its normal pitch thanks to endoscopic microsurgery. In cases of high-pitched male voices that persist after adolescence, the voice returns to the normal male voice volume with voice therapy. Apart from these, voice thinning or thickening surgeries are more complicated and are preferably performed to change voice pitch after gender change. In addition to endoscopic intervention, normal surgical methods can also be applied.
16. Do people who are vocal artists need to have their voices checked periodically?
Vocal artists, like professional athletes, must keep the condition of their vocal cords at a high level. For this purpose, voice hygiene rules should be strictly followed, daily voice exercises should be performed and situations that could damage the voice and vocal cords should be avoided. In addition, in case of even the slightest problem, an ENT specialist should be consulted and both vocal cords and hearing should be evaluated.
17. Is it possible to restore the damaged voice of a vocal artist?,
If the problem in the vocal cords is caused by nodules, polyps, cysts, etc., it is possible to restore the voice with surgery. Sometimes vocal artists also need to receive voice therapy, and there are even cases where psychological support and counseling is recommended. Treatment of voice problems due to chronic larynx inflammation is more difficult, but success can be achieved with regular and intensive treatment. But the most important point is that vocal artists should protect their voices very well and work hard to avoid causing vocal illness.
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