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Suggest Treatment For Laryngitis

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Posted on Fri, 12 May 2017
Question: Hi, According to my ENT doctor i am having red vocal cords and also there is a gap in my left vocal cord because of which my voice is hoarse. I am facing problem in speaking. Suggest some help.
- No neck injury.
- it's been 1-2 months i am having this problem.
- No Smoking
- Drinks occasionally.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Riddhi Shah (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Might be suffering from Laryngitis/Sulcus Vocalis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,thank you for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through your query and can understand your concern.

Looking at the information and report given by you ,you might be suffering from Laryngitis(inflammation of the Voice Box-Larynx) presenting as a reddening of vocal cords,and Sulcus Vocalis-presenting as a gap in the left vocal cord.
In your case, Laryngopharyngeal Reflux(acid reflux) might be a cause as suggested by your doctor in the report.

Sulcus vocalis is a thinning or absence of a special layer of tissue,covering the vocal cord required to vibrate in order to produce sound.
It presents as a groove or infolding of mucosa along the surface of the vocal fold.
It is usually found at the margin of the vocal fold, oriented parallel to its length.
The segment involved with the sulcus usually does not vibrate normally during voicing
When the vocal folds are brought together to voice, the loss of tissue along the length of the folds usually causes a phonatory gap(as mentioned by your doctor in the report) that is the shape of a spindle to appear between them.
This gap causes air to leak out during voicing, which is probably one of the main reasons for the perception of increased effort needed to voice.

The cause of Laryngitis/Sulcus Vocalis might be due to Upper respiratory tract infections,Voice trauma(Excessive use of Voice in an abnormal pitch for a longer duration of time).
Infection in the nose like Sinusitis or Acid reflux, Cigarrete smoking,chronic exposure to dust may aggravate this situation.

Treatment:
Voice rest is must for a few weeks.Speak only if necessary.Avoid shouting or whispering.Speak in a soft voice after taking deep breath.

Consulting a speech therapist is advisable as they can teach how to speak in a proper manner without causing trauma to the vocal cords.

Rab4u medicine contains Rabeprazole which will help against the Acid reflux.Continue using it.

If you are suffering from pain in the throat,you can take Analgesics like Ibuprofen along with Rabeprazole.

If you are suffering from Allergy in the respiratory tract,you can take Antihistaminic like Cetrizine.

Avoid dust.
Avoid cold and oily food.

Drink lots of warm fluids.

After following the above measures,if still there is no improvement,then surgery may be required(if it is a case of sulcus vocalis).

Hops this answers your question .I would be happy to answer you in case of any follow-up questions.Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Riddhi Shah (28 minutes later)
I am already in touch with speech therapist and they have told me to do deep breathing exercises.
- take a deep breathe and exhale it from mouth saying vowels A,E,I,O,U.

I am have been doing this from last 3 weeks but there is no improvement.

Is there anything else should i do to recover quickly? As i am not able to speak properly my work is also get effected.

Request you to please help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Riddhi Shah (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please see the answer

Detailed Answer:
Hi,thank you for your follow up question.

Good to hear that you have already started speech therapy since 3 weeks.

Continue using Rabeprazole medicine.

Avoid cold,spicy ,oily food.

Avoid dust.

Drink lots of warm fluids.

Do steam inhalation.

If you are suffering from Acid reflux,then avoid citrus food.Eat slowly.Avoid heavy dinner.Take a minimum gap of 2 hours between eating and sleeping.Elevating head end of bed will also help.

Take voice rest for a few weeks.

After following the above measures,if still no improvement occurs after around 3 more weeks then it would be advisable to consult a Phonosurgeon(He /She is an ENT doctor with specialization in Voice problem) and to have Endoscopic examination of Larynx(Voice box) ,and treat accordingly.

Hope this answers your question.Take care.Get well soon.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Riddhi Shah

ENT Specialist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 533 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Laryngitis

Brief Answer: Might be suffering from Laryngitis/Sulcus Vocalis Detailed Answer: Hi,thank you for posting your query on HealthcareMagic. I have gone through your query and can understand your concern. Looking at the information and report given by you ,you might be suffering from Laryngitis(inflammation of the Voice Box-Larynx) presenting as a reddening of vocal cords,and Sulcus Vocalis-presenting as a gap in the left vocal cord. In your case, Laryngopharyngeal Reflux(acid reflux) might be a cause as suggested by your doctor in the report. Sulcus vocalis is a thinning or absence of a special layer of tissue,covering the vocal cord required to vibrate in order to produce sound. It presents as a groove or infolding of mucosa along the surface of the vocal fold. It is usually found at the margin of the vocal fold, oriented parallel to its length. The segment involved with the sulcus usually does not vibrate normally during voicing When the vocal folds are brought together to voice, the loss of tissue along the length of the folds usually causes a phonatory gap(as mentioned by your doctor in the report) that is the shape of a spindle to appear between them. This gap causes air to leak out during voicing, which is probably one of the main reasons for the perception of increased effort needed to voice. The cause of Laryngitis/Sulcus Vocalis might be due to Upper respiratory tract infections,Voice trauma(Excessive use of Voice in an abnormal pitch for a longer duration of time). Infection in the nose like Sinusitis or Acid reflux, Cigarrete smoking,chronic exposure to dust may aggravate this situation. Treatment: Voice rest is must for a few weeks.Speak only if necessary.Avoid shouting or whispering.Speak in a soft voice after taking deep breath. Consulting a speech therapist is advisable as they can teach how to speak in a proper manner without causing trauma to the vocal cords. Rab4u medicine contains Rabeprazole which will help against the Acid reflux.Continue using it. If you are suffering from pain in the throat,you can take Analgesics like Ibuprofen along with Rabeprazole. If you are suffering from Allergy in the respiratory tract,you can take Antihistaminic like Cetrizine. Avoid dust. Avoid cold and oily food. Drink lots of warm fluids. After following the above measures,if still there is no improvement,then surgery may be required(if it is a case of sulcus vocalis). Hops this answers your question .I would be happy to answer you in case of any follow-up questions.Take care.