Breathe Easy: A Guide to Vocal Cord Dysfunction Exercises
Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD), also known as paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM), occurs when the vocal cords don't open and close properly during breathing. VCD can lead to a range of frustrating symptoms, including difficulty breathing and hoarseness. It can also take a toll emotionally, affecting confidence and communication in daily life.
But here's the good news: vocal cord dysfunction is manageable. This guide will explore paradoxical vocal cord movement and how you can take control with simple exercises to help you breathe more easily.
Key Takeaways:
VCD (Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion) Affects Breathing and Voice: This condition disrupts the natural opening and closing of your vocal cords during breathing, leading to shortness of breath and hoarseness.
VCD Can Impact Your Emotional Well-Being: Difficulty communicating and breathing due to vocal cord dysfunction can affect confidence and social interaction.
VCD is Manageable: While frustrating, vocal cord dysfunction is treatable with the right approach and exercises.
Simple Exercises Can Help: By learning exercises like relaxed throat breathing and pursed-lip breathing, you can manage your vocal cord dysfunction symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Understanding Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD)
What is an SLP, and How Can They Help with VCD?
Taking Control with Exercises: Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD)
Understanding Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD)
Here's a breakdown of vocal cord dysfunction and its common symptoms:
Why Does VCD Occur?
Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD), also known as paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM), is a condition that disrupts your regular breathing pattern. Your vocal cords open and close to control the flow of air during breathing and speaking. When you breathe normally, the vocal cords open and relax, allowing air to pass freely into your lungs. During speaking, they close together and vibrate to produce sound.
Vocal cord dysfunction occurs when the vocal cords don't function properly. Instead of closing properly during breathing, they clamp shut or tighten involuntarily, narrowing the upper airway and making breathing difficult. This can be a frightening experience, and the symptoms tend to be confused with exercise-induced asthma. Traditional asthma treatments such as inhalers won't help with VCD.
Symptoms of Vocal Cord Dysfunction
Vocal cord dysfunction can cause various symptoms that affect your breathing and voice. Here are some of the most common:
Difficulty Breathing: Trouble breathing is often the most noticeable symptom. You might feel chest tightness, a sensation of not getting enough air in, or a need to take frequent, shallow breaths. The breath tightness can be particularly bothersome during activities or even while resting.
Strained or Hoarse Voice: The abnormal closure of your vocal cords can affect their ability to vibrate freely, leading to a hoarse, breathy, or weak voice. You might also experience voice fatigue or difficulty speaking for extended periods.
Other Symptoms: VCD can sometimes cause additional symptoms like coughing, wheezing, a feeling of a lump in the throat, or even a temporary loss of voice.
Causes of Vocal Cord Dysfunction
The exact cause of vocal cord dysfunction remains unknown; however, several factors can contribute to its development.
Underlying Medical Conditions: Certain conditions can irritate the vocal cords and increase the risk of vocal cord dysfunction. These include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), allergies, postnasal drip, and sinus problems. When these conditions are present, they can cause inflammation and swelling in the airways, leading to abnormal vocal cord closure during breathing.
Vocal Strain: Overusing or misusing your voice can strain your vocal cords and make them more susceptible to VCD. Yelling and singing improperly for extended periods or even talking loudly for too long can cause this.
Psychological Factors: Stress, anxiety, and even depression can sometimes manifest as physical symptoms, including VCD. The emotional response can trigger involuntary tightening of the vocal cords, leading to breathing difficulties and voice changes.
Environmental Irritants: Exposure to smoke, dust, and other pollutants can irritate the airways and trigger VCD episodes. These irritants can inflame the vocal cords and surrounding tissues, causing them to close more tightly during inhalation.
Exercise and VCD: Physical exercise can also trigger VCD episodes in some individuals.
Irritable Larynx Syndrome Continuum
Your vocal cords, located at the top of your airway, act as a protective barrier for your lungs. They close tightly during a cough to expel irritants like mucus. The sensitivity of your vocal cords varies from person to person. Someone with sensitive vocal cords might cough easily with minimal mucus, while others might not.
Over time, constant irritation of the vocal cords can lower their sensitivity threshold. Things that wouldn't usually bother your vocal cords, like postnasal drip or acid reflux, can trigger a protective response, such as a cough. In severe cases, the vocal cords might close completely, making inhaling difficult.
This condition progresses along a spectrum of increasing severity, known as the Irritable Larynx Syndrome Continuum. Here's a breakdown of the conditions:
Chronic throat clearing: A frequent urge to clear your throat, even when there's nothing there.
Chronic cough: A persistent cough not caused by a cold or other illness.
PVFM/VCD: Difficulty breathing due to involuntary vocal cord closure.
Laryngospasms: The vocal cords forcefully close for several seconds or even a minute, making breathing difficult. These episodes can be scary and require immediate medical attention.
If you experience any of these symptoms, consult a doctor or speech-language pathologist for a proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plan.
Differentiation from Other Conditions and Symptom Variability
VCD symptoms can mimic other conditions like exercise-induced asthma or allergies. The severity of symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Some individuals may experience frequent and debilitating episodes, while others may have milder, occasional symptoms.
If you're experiencing these symptoms, consult a doctor or speech-language pathologist (SLP) to properly treat and diagnose vocal cord dysfunction. A qualified professional can help differentiate VCD from other conditions and develop a personalized plan to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Age and Gender Considerations in VCD
While vocal cord dysfunction can affect anyone, it's most commonly diagnosed in:
Women: Women are diagnosed with VCD more frequently than men, particularly between the ages of 30 and 50. The hormonal changes associated with menstruation and menopause may play a role in this increased prevalence.
Children and Teens: Vocal cord dysfunction can also occur in children, although the symptoms may present differently. Children with vocal cord dysfunction might experience frequent coughing, noisy breathing, or throat tightness.
What is an SLP, and How Can They Help with VCD?
Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are healthcare professionals with expertise in communication disorders, including VCD. They can develop a personalized plan and guide you through exercises to manage your vocal cord dysfunction symptoms during speech therapy sessions.
Here's how a speech therapist can help you control your VCD symptoms:
Diagnosis and Evaluation: A speech therapist will work with you to understand your medical history, symptoms, and voice quality. They may physically examine your throat and vocal cords and use specialized equipment to assess their function during breathing and speaking.
Education and Awareness: The speech therapist will explain VCD in detail, discuss the factors triggering your symptoms, and help you understand how your voice works. This knowledge empowers you to take an active role in your recovery.
Breathing Techniques: A core aspect of VCD treatment involves learning proper breathing techniques. The SLP will teach you breathing exercises such as diaphragmatic breathing, relaxed throat, and pursed-lip breathing. These exercises can help you control the abnormal pattern of vocal fold closure during inhalation and improve your breathing efficiency.
Vocal Hygiene Practices: In speech therapy for VCD, the speech therapist will guide healthy voice habits to minimize strain on your vocal folds. You will learn recommendations for vocal rest, proper hydration, and reducing exposure to irritants like smoke and dust.
Stress Management Techniques: Stress and anxiety can sometimes worsen VCD symptoms. The SLP can teach you relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing to help manage stress and reduce the impact on your voice.
Support and Motivation: The SLP will provide ongoing support and motivation throughout treatment. They can celebrate your progress, address setbacks, and adjust the treatment plan.
Benefits of Working with a Speech Therapist for VCD
Effectively addressing VCD can significantly improve your overall quality of life. You'll be able to participate in activities you enjoy, communicate confidently, and experience a renewed sense of control over your voice and breath.
Learning to manage vocal cord dysfunction can significantly reduce anxiety and stress related to communication difficulties.
While you can certainly work on some vocal modifications independently, a speech-language pathologist offers a personalized approach to maximize your impact:
Tailored Exercises: A VCD therapist creates a program that targets your specific needs, whether you're improving pitch variation or mastering relaxed breathing techniques.
Expert Feedback: A speech therapist provides objective feedback on your vocal habits, helping you identify areas for improvement and track your progress.
Underlying Cause Exploration: A VCD therapist goes beyond the voice, exploring common triggers like stress or allergies that may contribute to VCD symptoms.
Long-Term Support: A speech-language pathologist offers ongoing support and guidance, adjusting your program to ensure continued improvement and successful VCD management.
Taking Control with Exercises: Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD)
This section overviews some general exercises that may help manage VCD symptoms. However, it's important to remember that these exercises may not be appropriate for everyone.
Techniques During an Episode
While these exercises can be helpful during an episode, remember that initially, you might need to stop your activity to perform them effectively. As you improve with practice, you may be able to manage your symptoms even while continuing your activity (like running).
Self-Awareness and Relaxation:
Check your breathing pattern: Are your shoulders and arms tense? Breathe deeply and slowly, focusing on relaxing your throat and jaw.
Practice relaxed throat breathing: Breathe slowly through your nose and exhale slowly through pursed lips while making an "s" or "sh" sound. Focus on using your belly breathing for inhalation and exhalation.
Sip and puff: Briefly inhale air through pursed lips and then exhale slowly through the same pursed lips.
Regular Home Exercise Program
This program aims to help you identify tension patterns in your body and practice relaxation techniques. Ideally, perform this routine 2-3 times a day. Additionally, incorporate these exercises throughout the day, especially during stressful situations or when anticipating a VCD episode.
Focus on Relaxation and Breathing Exercises:
Deep, relaxed breathing exercises: Breathe deeply through your nose into your abdomen, feeling your hand rise with inhalation. Slowly exhale, allowing all the air to escape through your mouth. Imagine sighing out all the tension with each exhale. Repeat this five times.
Gentle stretches and massage: Focus on your shoulders, neck, jaw, and face muscles. Stretch and massage these areas gently while maintaining relaxed breathing.
The relaxing sigh: Take a deep breath and slowly exhale with a sigh, releasing tension.
Tense and relax muscles: Briefly tense and hold major muscle groups (shoulders, neck) and then completely relax them, focusing on the difference between tension and relaxation.
Limp rag doll visualization: Imagine yourself as a limp rag doll, completely relaxed and free of tension.
Regularly practicing these exercises can help you manage VCD symptoms and improve your overall well-being. However, it is always recommended that you consult a healthcare professional for a personalized treatment plan.
Healthy Habits for Vocal Care
In addition to the precautions above, incorporating healthy vocal hygiene practices can further support your VCD management:
Hydration is Key: Drink fluids throughout the day to keep your vocal cords lubricated. Aim for water as your primary beverage, and avoid dehydrating drinks like excessive caffeine or alcohol.
Reflux Precautions: If you have GERD, work with your doctor to manage it effectively. Reflux can irritate your vocal cords and worsen VCD symptoms. Reflux management may involve dietary modifications, medications, or lifestyle changes.
Minimize Inhaled Irritants: Be mindful of your environment, especially when exercising. Avoid exercising in areas with high levels of pollutants like smoke, dust, or strong fumes. These irritants can inflame your airways and trigger VCD episodes. If outdoor pollution is a concern, consider exercising indoors with air filtration.
Disclaimer: It's crucial to consult a throat doctor (laryngologist) or speech therapist (SLP) for a proper diagnosis and a personalized exercise plan tailored to your specific needs. VCD can have various underlying causes, and a healthcare professional can help identify the root issue and create a treatment strategy to address it effectively.
Safe Practices Before Starting Exercises
Prioritizing safety is crucial before embarking on any new exercise program, especially if you have underlying health conditions. Ensure a healthy start with a multidisciplinary team.
Schedule a thorough evaluation with a pulmonologist (lung specialist) or laryngologist (voice box specialist).
Consulting with these doctors is an essential component in the treatment of VCD. They can help identify contributing factors and other associated diagnoses, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, allergies, or exercise-induced asthma.
Early detection and proper management of these conditions can significantly improve your exercise experience and overall health.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vocal Cord Dysfunction Exercises
1. Can hoarseness be a symptom of VCD?
Yes, hoarseness can be a symptom of VCD. Vocal cord dysfunction can cause your vocal cords to vibrate abnormally, leading to changes in your voice quality(throat hoarseness). However, hoarseness can also have other causes, such as overuse of your voice, allergies, or even a common cold.
2. What is the best treatment for VCD?
There's no single "best" treatment for VCD, as the most effective approach depends on the underlying cause of your condition. However, treatment often involves working with a speech therapist to learn a combination of strategies, such as vocal hygiene practices (staying hydrated, avoiding irritants), relaxation techniques to manage stress and anxiety, and breathing exercises to improve control over your vocal cords.
3. In what situations does VCD occur?
VCD can occur in various situations. It can be triggered by irritants inhaled from smoke, dust, or strong fumes. People with underlying conditions like GERD or allergies may experience VCD episodes more frequently due to chronic irritation of the vocal cords. Stress, anxiety, and even vigorous exercise can also trigger VCD in some individuals.
4. Is VCD the same as asthma?
No, VCD is not the same as asthma. While both conditions can cause difficulty breathing, the underlying mechanisms differ. In asthma, the airways become narrowed due to inflammation and muscle tightening. VCD, on the other hand, involves abnormal closure of the vocal cords during inhalation, making it difficult to get air in. Additionally, asthma inhalers typically won't help with VCD symptoms.
How Connected Speech Pathology Can Help You Manage VCD
Vocal cord dysfunction can significantly disrupt your daily life. The struggle to breathe in can be a frightening experience, leaving you feeling isolated and out of control. Connected Speech Pathology's team of speech-language pathologists can help you manage this condition.
Our VCD therapists have specialized training in voice disorders and understand the unique challenges of VCD. They can work closely with you to identify the potential triggers of your VCD episodes, whether environmental irritants, stress, or even underlying medical conditions.
Through personalized therapy sessions, our SLPs will equip you with a toolkit of powerful techniques to manage your VCD. These may include relaxation techniques like deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation to combat stress and anxiety, which can worsen VCD symptoms.
Important Note: While Connected Speech Pathology can be a valuable resource in managing VCD, it's crucial to see a laryngologist (voice box specialist) first. A laryngologist can thoroughly evaluate and rule out any underlying medical conditions contributing to your VCD. Once a proper diagnosis is established, our team can work collaboratively with your laryngologist to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your needs. Together, we can help you breathe easier and regain control of your voice.
Summary
Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) can make breathing difficult, causing panic and mimicking asthma. This guide explores ways to manage VCD, including relaxation techniques, vocal hygiene practices, and seeing a speech-language pathologist for personalized exercises.
About the Author
Allison Geller is a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and the owner of Connected Speech Pathology. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Florida in Speech-Language Pathology. Allison has practiced speech therapy in a number of settings including telepractice, acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, and private practice. She has worked extensively with individuals across the lifespan including toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, and adults. She specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a variety of communication disorders including receptive/expressive language disorders, articulation disorders, voice disorders, fluency disorders, brain injury, and swallowing disorders.
Allison served as the clinical coordinator of research in aphasia in the Neurological Institute at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. She is on the Board of Directors for the Corporate Speech Pathology Network (CORSPAN), a Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT) certified clinician, and a proud Family Empowerment Scholarship/Step-Up For Students provider. Allison is passionate about delivering high quality-effective treatment remotely because it’s convenient and easy to access. What sets us apart from other online speech therapy options is—Allison takes great care to hire the very best SLPs from all over the country.
