Aphonia
Aphonia
Aphonia is a condition that can take many different forms. You can have a partial loss of your voice and it may sound hoarse or, you may have complete loss of your voice and it may sound like a whisper. Loss of voice can take place slowly or quickly depending on the cause.
Causes of Aphonia
Aphonia generally happenes due to the problems with the voice box (called the larynx). However, there can be other causes, including: Conditions that affect the vocal cords or airway, this may include injury, swelling, or disease, like:
Laryngitis that is caused by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection
Vocal abuse—yelling or talking excessively
Exposure to airborne irritants, like smoke or air pollution
Acid reflux from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Thickening of the vocal chords
Causes of Aphonia
Continue:
Nodules or polyps on the vocal chords
Muscle tension dysphonia
Damage to the nerves that affect how the larynx functions
Laryngeal or thyroid cancer
Removal of larynx
Breathing problems that affect the ability to speak
Neurological disorders such as myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Risk Factors associated with Aphonia
Factors that may increase one’s chance of developing aphonia include:
Overusing your voice like speaking until you are hoarse
Behaviors that abuse your vocal chords, such as smoking, which also puts you at a higher risk for cancer of the larynx
If you are having surgery on or around the larynx
Diagnosis of Aphonia
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The cause of your symptoms may not be obvious. You may be referred to an ENT specialist. This doctor may use an instrument called a laryngoscope to check your vocal cords. Other tests may also be done to evaluate your voice function. If your doctor is having some of the concerns that there may be a neurological or psychological cause, then you can be referred to other specialists.
Prevention of Aphonia
To help reduce your chance of aphonia:
If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to quit
If you drink, limit your intake
Limit your exposure to fumes and toxins
Avoid talking a lot or yelling
Avoid whispering
Get the treatment done for conditions that can cause loss of voice
Symptoms of Aphonia Symptoms of aphonia may include:
Unable to speak or unable to speak above a whisper
Hoarseness
Spasm of vocal cords
Throat pain
Difficulty swallowing—food or fluids may go into the lungs
Treatment of Aphonia You can take the following steps to help ease laryngitis:
Rest your voice
Avoid smoking
Stay hydrated
Use a cool mist humidifier
Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen Some of the other treatments depend on the specific cause, such as:
Going through voice therapy if your loss of voice is due to voice overuse
Having medication to control acid reflux
Performing surgery to extract growths
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