Vocal cord disorders can interfere with your daily life. Losing your voice is never fun, especially if you are in a profession where you must talk to people on a daily basis. Many vocal cord disorders can lead to a loss of voice if they are not treated in a timely manner. The typical recommendation is to seek care from a doctor if you are experiencing vocal cord symptoms for more than two weeks. For some people, symptoms can be so severe that medical care is needed much sooner.
There are several different kinds of vocal cord disorders. The proper treatment is based on what type of vocal disorder you have. Most often, a doctor should be able to find out what disorder you have through a physical exam. Once the doctor has a diagnosis they can then start administering treatment to help remedy your vocal cord disorder.
Before a doctor can do anything, though, you must recognize there is a problem. Many people have had some form of a vocal problem in their lifetime. Most commonly, people may have a case of losing their voice after a day of yelling or just overusing the voice. These issues typically clear up on their own. It is only when symptoms persist that you should be concerned and seek help.
Symptoms vary depending on the type of disorder you have. Many disorders cause changes in the sound of the voice. The voice may become airy or raspy. You may sound hoarse or even lose your voice totally. Disorders may also change the pitch of the voice or tone of the voice.
Some disorders cause general pain in the throat or pain when speaking. You may notice your voice losing strength over time. Disorders may also make you feel a need to clear your throat frequently. Some disorders bring about a fever or general feeling of being ill.
More serious disorders cause even more severe vocal cord symptoms. There is a potential for trouble breathing, an inability to swallow, or extreme discomfort when trying to talk, breathe or swallow. These severe vocal cord symptoms require immediate medical attention. You should not wait to see a doctor as they may lead to more serious health issues and, if untreated, could have very dangerous effects.
Many times vocal cord symptoms come on suddenly, but they may also happen over time. You can notice a gradual change in your voice. It may start to become hoarse in just a few days. You may not know what caused your voice problem. However, if you can tie the problem to an event you should tell the doctor, because that will be very useful in determining your course of treatment.
Most vocal cord disorders are treatable. Many people deem issues with their vocal cords as being minor. However, especially if you have a severe vocal cord disorder you definitely must seek attention. Generally, though, you should get treatment even if you think it is minor because a doctor can help you clear up the problem swiftly and avoid long-term issues.