Navigate Up

Vocal Cord Dysfunction

Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a condition in which the vocal cords spontaneously close, cutting off the air supply. It can often present like asthma, and some individuals can experience symptoms of both conditions simultaneously.

Symptoms

Symptoms of VCD include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chronic coughing or throat clearing
  • Wheezing or stridor (high-pitched sound)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Upper chest or throat tightness
  • Intermittent hoarseness
Individuals may experience symptoms of VCD during exercise and while laughing or crying. Environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, cold air, strong aromas, and upper respiratory infections can trigger VCD. Health conditions such as heart burn, reflux, and post-nasal drip can also irritate the vocal chords and contribute to VCD.
 
VCD can often be mistaken for exercise-induced asthma but there are subtle differences in their symptoms.

VCD

Exercise-Induced Asthma

Symptoms occur shortly after beginning exercise Symptoms occur later in exercise
Tightness in throat Tightness in middle or lower chest
Difficulty inhaling Difficulty exhaling
Hoarseness N/A
Albuterol inhaler doesn’t control symptoms Albuterol inhaler controls symptoms
Symptoms recur immediately when resuming exercise after Albuterol treatment Symptoms are less severe when exercise is resumed after Albuterol treatment
Recovery time is less than 10 minutes Recovery takes up to an hour without medication

Treatment Options

Treatment options for VCD may include:
  • Reflux medications or dietary changes to reduce reflux
  • Use of nasal sprays or nasal washes for post-nasal drip
  • Speech therapy to learn breathing techniques to relax the vocal chords
  • If anxiety is a trigger, anxiety treatment may be helpful

©  UPMC | Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences
Supplemental content provided by A.D.A.M. Health Solutions. All rights reserved.

For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. UPMC policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, genetics, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected group status. Further, UPMC will continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in UPMC programs and activities. This commitment is made by UPMC in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.

Medical information made available on UPMC.com is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have. Further, UPMC.com is not a tool to be used in the case of an emergency. If an emergency arises, you should seek appropriate emergency medical services.

For UPMC Mercy Patients: As a Catholic hospital, UPMC Mercy abides by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, as determined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. As such, UPMC Mercy neither endorses nor provides medical practices and/or procedures that contradict the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

© UPMC
Pittsburgh, PA, USA UPMC.com