Comments on: Rachel Ray: Vocal Cord Surgery http://www.blisstree.com/articles/rachel-ray-vocal-cord-surgery/ Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:49:21 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: beka serdans, RN, MS, NP http://www.blisstree.com/articles/rachel-ray-vocal-cord-surgery/comment-page-1/#comment-364812 beka serdans, RN, MS, NP Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:06:48 +0000 http://www.blisstree.com/?p=99401#comment-364812 Well, she might not have had polyps at all but a rare form of vocal cord dysfunction called DYSPHONIA, a type of dystonia. Spasmodic dysphonia (or laryngeal dystonia) is a voice disorder characterized by involuntary movements of one or more muscles of the larynx (vocal folds or voice box) during speech. 3 Types exist - In adductor spasmodic dysphonia, sudden involuntary muscle movements or spasms cause the vocal folds (or vocal cords) to slam together and stiffen.[1] These spasms make it difficult for the vocal folds to vibrate and produce voice. Words are often cut off or difficult to start because of the muscle spasms. Therefore, speech may be choppy and sound similar to stuttering. The voice of an individual with adductor spasmodic dysphonia is commonly described as strained or strangled and full of effort. Surprisingly, the spasms are usually absent while laughing, singing, speaking at a high pitch or speaking while breathing in. Stress, however, often makes the muscle spasms more severe. In abductor spasmodic dysphonia, sudden involuntary muscle movements or spasms cause the vocal folds to open. The vocal folds can not vibrate when they are open. The open position of the vocal folds also allows air to escape from the lungs during speech. As a result, the voices of these individuals often sound weak, quiet and breathy or whispery. As with adductor spasmodic dysphonia, the spasms are often absent during activities such as laughing or singing. Mixed spasmodic dysphonia involves muscles that open the vocal folds as well as muscles that close the vocal folds and therefore has features of both adductor and abductor spasmodic dysphonia. Botulinum toxin can often relieve symptoms for patients without forcing surgery on them. If you have voice problems , don't forget to have dysphonia ruled out in the diagnostic evaluation. Well, she might not have had polyps at all but a rare form of vocal cord dysfunction called DYSPHONIA, a type of dystonia.
Spasmodic dysphonia (or laryngeal dystonia) is a voice disorder characterized by involuntary movements of one or more muscles of the larynx (vocal folds or voice box) during speech.
3 Types exist -
In adductor spasmodic dysphonia, sudden involuntary muscle movements or spasms cause the vocal folds (or vocal cords) to slam together and stiffen.[1] These spasms make it difficult for the vocal folds to vibrate and produce voice. Words are often cut off or difficult to start because of the muscle spasms. Therefore, speech may be choppy and sound similar to stuttering. The voice of an individual with adductor spasmodic dysphonia is commonly described as strained or strangled and full of effort. Surprisingly, the spasms are usually absent while laughing, singing, speaking at a high pitch or speaking while breathing in. Stress, however, often makes the muscle spasms more severe.

In abductor spasmodic dysphonia, sudden involuntary muscle movements or spasms cause the vocal folds to open. The vocal folds can not vibrate when they are open. The open position of the vocal folds also allows air to escape from the lungs during speech. As a result, the voices of these individuals often sound weak, quiet and breathy or whispery. As with adductor spasmodic dysphonia, the spasms are often absent during activities such as laughing or singing.

Mixed spasmodic dysphonia involves muscles that open the vocal folds as well as muscles that close the vocal folds and therefore has features of both adductor and abductor spasmodic dysphonia.

Botulinum toxin can often relieve symptoms for patients without forcing surgery on them.

If you have voice problems , don’t forget to have dysphonia ruled out in the diagnostic evaluation.

]]> By: Karen Weideman http://www.blisstree.com/articles/rachel-ray-vocal-cord-surgery/comment-page-1/#comment-363609 Karen Weideman Tue, 14 Jul 2009 05:15:43 +0000 http://www.blisstree.com/?p=99401#comment-363609 I noticed her voice too. It seemed like something wasn't right and that she was damaging her voice when she talked. I'm glad she finally had something done about it and that the tumor was benign. I'm surprised she waited so long though, especially since she depends on her voice so much for her career. I noticed her voice too. It seemed like something wasn’t right and that she was damaging her voice when she talked. I’m glad she finally had something done about it and that the tumor was benign. I’m surprised she waited so long though, especially since she depends on her voice so much for her career.

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