The vocal folds are the vocal cords along with the larynx or voice box are primarily responsible for the production of sound in us humans. People who tend to strain their voice can develop vocal cord nodules. Teacher’s nodule, screamer’s nodule and singer’s nodule are also the other names associated with this syndrome. These nodules grow on the mucous membrane of the vocal cords.
Causes of Vocal Cord Nodules: From the above paragraph, you can observe the associated sobriquets to the disease. People who stretch the limits of their voice or overly strain them or prone to develop these nodules.
- Teachers, singers, auctioneers, clergy members are usually the people who use their voices as part of their profession. Upon excessive usage, the voice would grow hoarse or breathy.
- Nodules often in the form of a corn or callus that affect the toe and hand.
Diagnosis: These developments in the vocal folds would definitely affect the voice, but as such have no general health effects. But, it is important that this problem is corrected, for your profession might be at a stake, especially if you are a professional singer or teacher.
Laryngoscopy is often suggested by many physicians to detect the mucous growth in the voice box.
Treatment: proper resting resting and alteration of the voice usage are usually suggested by a speech therapist.
- Voice rehabilitation is a must and for this purpose proper voice resting is essentially required.
- Not speaking or seldom using speech needs to be exercised until the nodules shrink.
- Screamer’s voice in children (which they are usually affected with) can be treated by voice therapy.
- Steroid sprays that can be inhaled are also quiet helpful.
- A minor surgery is also an option for the removal of these nodules (professional singers need to consider the repercussions of such a surgery).
Prevention: Prevention is always better than cure. It is important not to excessively strain the voice by screaming louder than normal or by whispering very unusually. It is important to avoid any tension on the neck that could potentially strain the voice.
Vocal cord nodules which last for more than 14 days have to be immediately referred to an otorhinolaryngologist (specialist who deals with throat, nose and ear) to detect any underlying voice disorder.
