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Vocal cord nodules
What are the symptoms of vocal cord nodules?
The symptoms of vocal cord nodules vary among individuals, but generally, it is considered a common condition. Clinically, it can cause hoarseness of voice. Most patients primarily experience recurrent or episodic hoarseness, particularly after excessive voice use, when the hoarseness becomes more pronounced. However, some patients with unilateral or bilateral vocal cord nodules may not exhibit obvious hoarseness and might show no clinical signs at all. They may only be discovered during a physical examination or a laryngoscopic examination. Overall, vocal cord nodules do not pose a significant health risk. Treatment mainly involves oral medication and nebulization therapy, along with vocal training. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
Can you still sing with vocal cord nodules?
Vocal cord nodules are best left unsung. Vocal cord nodules result from improper use of the voice over a long period, overexertion, shouting loudly, and irritation from acid reflux. This bilateral vocal cord lesion can cause persistent worsening hoarseness in patients. If a patient experiences prolonged hoarseness, an examination with an endoscopic laryngoscope at the hospital can reveal a symmetrical, smooth-surfaced neoplasm located at the anterior middle third of both vocal cords. This leads to incomplete closure of the glottis, thereby causing hoarseness. In terms of treatment, the vocal cord nodules require the surgical removal under a supported laryngoscope. The surgery requires hospitalization under general anesthesia, and antibiotics are used postoperatively to avoid local infections. Recovery and hospital discharge can typically occur about a week later. Additionally, patients need to follow a bland diet, abstain from smoking and alcohol, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and importantly, refrain from singing.
Do vocal cord nodules require surgery?
Vocal cord nodules generally do not require surgery, and most patients consider conservative treatment. Conservative treatment is mainly divided into two aspects. The first is voice training, which involves standardized voice training under the guidance of a professional voice doctor. This treatment method is non-invasive, and the overall effect is generally good. The second is pharmacological treatment, which currently mainly involves oral traditional Chinese medicine, and may also consider combining with nebulized drugs for comprehensive treatment. Most patients can achieve effective control and relief. If conservative treatment is not effective and symptoms like hoarseness are particularly pronounced, surgery might be considered, and regular follow-ups are needed after surgery to avoid overuse of the voice.
Vocal cord nodules
The reason why humans can develop language is primarily because the vocal cords can resonate and produce sound under the action of airflow. This also involves the combined action of the oral cavity and teeth to form language. If one excessively uses their voice over a long period, inflammation may occur at the junction of the anterior and middle third of the vocal cords, where the frequency of sound vibration is relatively high. This can easily lead to the formation of small nodules, commonly known as singer's nodules. This condition often occurs in people whose professions involve heavy voice use, such as teachers, musicians, kindergarten teachers, salespeople, and so on. If these vocal cord nodules are managed with voice rest and by avoiding spicy and irritant foods, recovery is quite likely.
What should I do about vocal cord polyps and nodules?
Vocal cord polyps and nodules are relatively common ENT diseases. After the onset, it is necessary to visit an ENT clinic for a laryngoscopy to assess the severity of the condition. If the condition is mild, conservative treatment with medications can be considered first, commonly including nebulization and oral traditional Chinese medicine, along with voice rehabilitation training. Many patients see gradual improvement after timely treatment. However, if the original condition is severe, the symptoms of hoarseness are pronounced, and conservative treatment does not yield satisfactory results, surgical removal may need to be considered, followed by monitoring for any recurrence.
Is scraping effective for vocal cord nodules?
Scraping therapy is ineffective for vocal cord nodules and serves no purpose. Vocal cord nodules are bilateral vocal cord lesions caused by prolonged improper voice use, excessive strain, loud yelling, and irritation from acid reflux. These nodules can result in incomplete closure of the vocal cords, leading to a hoarse voice. If a patient experiences long-term hoarseness, they must go to a hospital for an examination with a video laryngoscope. This can reveal a symmetrical, smooth, pale nodule at the anterior middle third of the vocal cords. For treatment, medications and scraping therapy are ineffective for vocal cord nodules. Instead, surgical removal of the nodules under endoscopic guidance is necessary. The surgery requires hospitalization, general anesthesia, and postoperative antibiotics to avoid local infection, with recovery and discharge possible in about a week. Patients also need to completely rest their voice for a week after surgery to prevent recurrence.
Can I smoke with vocal cord nodules?
Patients with vocal cord nodules are advised not to smoke, as cigarettes have a relatively strong irritant effect and directly stimulate the vocal cords. This may exacerbate the condition of vocal cord nodules and may also cause further hoarseness. Moreover, smokers are at a higher risk of developing cancerous changes in the vocal cords. Therefore, patients should not smoke or drink alcohol and should regularly visit an otolaryngologist for a laryngoscopy to monitor the changes in the vocal cord nodules. Most patients can achieve good control and relief of their condition through timely medication treatment and nebulization, with only a small number needing to consider surgical treatment.
Can you eat fish with vocal cord nodules?
Patients with vocal cord nodules who do not have an allergic constitution can eat fish. Vocal cord nodules are benign growths on the surface of the vocal cords, typically occurring bilaterally and symmetrically, mainly characterized by hoarseness. Their development is primarily associated with improper voice usage or long-term vocal abuse. For vocal cord nodules, patients are advised to talk less and maintain a light diet. Patients with vocal cord nodules can eat fish, but we must prevent some patients from doing so because some of them have an allergic constitution. Fish is a high-protein food, and consuming it may trigger allergic reactions in these patients. The onset of an allergic reaction can also lead to congestion and swelling of the vocal cord mucosa, further worsening the hoarseness and aggravating the condition of the vocal cord nodules. Therefore, it is best for these patients to avoid eating fish.
What should I do if vocal cord nodules recur?
Vocal cord nodules, if recurrent, must be treated surgically. The causes of vocal cord nodules are numerous and include improper or excessive use of the voice, shouting loudly, and irritation from acid reflux, leading to bilateral vocal cord lesions. This condition can cause the patient to have persistent hoarseness. If a patient experiences prolonged hoarseness, they must visit a hospital to undergo a laryngoscopic examination to determine the cause. Vocal cord nodules typically occur at the anterior middle third of both vocal cords, where patients may observe a pale white, symmetric, smooth-surfaced abnormal growth. In terms of treatment, surgery is necessary as medication is ineffective. The procedure involves the removal of the vocal cord nodules under a support laryngoscope, requiring hospitalization and general anesthesia. Post-surgery, antibiotics are used to prevent local infections, and patients can usually recover and be discharged within about a week.
Can vocal cord nodules be cured completely?
Vocal cord nodules can be cured. The occurrence of vocal cord nodules is mainly related to improper or excessive use of the voice, most commonly seen in professions such as teachers or singers. Prolonged use of the voice can lead to the formation of nodular growths on the surface of the vocal cord mucosa, causing hoarseness and difficulty in producing high-pitched sounds. For patients with vocal cord nodules, if the occurrence is relatively recent, symptomatic treatment can be administered through oral medications that reduce stasis and swelling. If the nodules do not resolve after medication use, it is advisable to surgically remove the nodules via a supportive laryngoscopy. Post-surgery, it is important to take care of the voice, including voice rest, to allow the vocal cord mucosa to recover. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)