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Vocal cord nodules
Will having surgery on vocal cord nodules be effective?
Vocal cord nodules generally are not first considered for surgery, as the preferred treatment for vocal cord nodules is medication, or voice training and rehabilitation. Surgery is not the first choice, because many patients can gradually recover their voices and improve hoarseness through medication or voice training, and the effects are generally satisfactory for most patients. Surgery is only considered if the standard medication treatment is ineffective and the hoarseness is particularly severe. Overall, this surgery is considered minimally invasive and does not pose significant health risks. Moreover, after the removal of the nodules, most patients will see a clear improvement in their symptoms of hoarseness. However, regular follow-ups are necessary to prevent recurrence of the nodules. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
Conservative treatment methods for vocal cord nodules
Conservative treatment methods for vocal cord nodules mainly include voice rest and medication support. The underlying cause of vocal cord nodules is fairly clear, often due to excessive talking or improper voicing, and is commonly seen in individuals who speak frequently, such as teachers, salespeople, singers, etc. Therefore, treatment targeting the cause involves speaking less and ensuring voice rest, which should be maintained for about 2-4 weeks. The better the implementation of voice rest, the quicker the recovery. During voice rest, it is also important to have a light diet, avoid spicy and stimulating foods, and steer clear of environments with smoke and alcohol. Additionally, nebulized inhalation therapy and some traditional Chinese medicines can be used to support treatment effectiveness. Commonly used medications for nebulization include Budesonide, and typical traditional Chinese medicines include Jin Sou San Jie Wan and Jin Sou Qing Yin Wan.
Can vocal cord nodules be cured by resting the voice?
Vocal cord nodules are a relatively common otolaryngologic disease. After resting the voice, the condition of the vocal cord nodules may improve, and the symptom of hoarseness may also get better. However, resting the voice alone cannot completely cure the condition. Patients with vocal cord nodules need to visit an otolaryngology clinic after the onset of the disease. It is advisable to undergo a laryngoscopy to assess the severity of the condition. Generally, it may be considered to take prescribed Chinese patent medicine and undergo atomization treatment. During the treatment process, regular follow-up visits are necessary to check the effectiveness of the treatment. A small number of patients might also need to consider surgical treatment.
Postoperative precautions for vocal cord nodules
After vocal cord nodule surgery, attention should be paid to the following aspects: The first is regular follow-ups. Generally speaking, after surgery, it is necessary to regularly check through indirect laryngoscopy and fiberoptic laryngoscopy. The main purpose is to observe the specific recovery situation, especially to check for any related surgical complications or recurrence. The second is the need for vocal rest, especially during the first week after surgery. Try to avoid talking as much as possible and do more deep breathing, because excessive use of the voice can affect the postoperative recovery and easily cause hoarseness. Moreover, it is necessary to check the pathology results. After vocal cord nodule surgery, a pathological biopsy is required. If the pathological slice is benign, regular follow-ups are generally sufficient. If the pathology shows other characteristics, or if it is malignant, further examinations and treatments might be necessary.
How should vocal cord nodules be treated?
The treatment of vocal cord nodules mainly prioritizes conservative management, focusing on pharmacotherapy and simultaneously recommending voice training. Regarding medications, oral traditional Chinese medicines are commonly used, along with inhaled corticosteroids, generally requiring one to two weeks of treatment. Additionally, voice training is necessary to avoid excessive voice use, as it can exacerbate symptoms of hoarseness and lead to recurrent vocal cord nodules. If standardized medication treatments fail and severe hoarseness prevails, a small proportion of patients might consider undergoing vocal cord nodule removal surgery under laryngoscopy. Overall, surgery is not the first option, but its results are relatively definitive.
What should I do if conservative treatment for vocal cord nodules is not effective?
Vocal cord nodules are nodular lesions located at the anterior-middle third of both vocal cords, primarily caused by excessive speaking and incorrect pronunciation, commonly seen in individuals who overuse their voice. The main treatment approach begins with conservative management, which crucially requires voice rest as a fundamental condition, supplemented by medication. Common medications include nebulized inhalation therapy and some traditional Chinese medicines. If conservative treatment fails to achieve satisfactory results after six months, surgical intervention should be proactively considered rather than continuing observation. Prolonged vocal cord nodules, if not effectively managed conservatively, could potentially develop into vocal cord polyps, exacerbating the condition, thus necessitating surgical treatment. Therefore, if conservative treatment proves ineffective over six months, it is advisable to opt for early surgical intervention, which involves less trauma and yields better recovery.
Can people with vocal cord nodules eat hot pot?
People with vocal cord nodules can eat hot pot, but it is important to avoid excessive use of the voice and not to eat particularly spicy foods, as both overuse of the voice and spicy foods can directly irritate the throat. Frequent consumption of spicy foods may trigger pharyngitis, and in severe cases, it can lead to hoarseness and further aggravation. Overall, vocal cord nodules do not significantly impact diet, but what is more important is voice rest, especially for those who frequently strain their voices. Vocal cord nodules tend to increase the likelihood of hoarseness, and regular check-ups to monitor changes are necessary. Also, if the symptoms are relatively noticeable, consideration should be given to oral medication and nebulization treatment. After treatment, regular laryngoscopic examinations should be continued to observe specific changes.
How to maintain vocal cord nodules in daily life?
Vocal cord nodules are a relatively common vocal cord disease, mainly characterized by nodular neoplasms at the anterior part of one or both vocal cords. The most common clinical symptom is hoarseness, which, overall, is relatively common and not a major threat to health. For daily maintenance, it is important to use the voice reasonably; excessive use should be avoided as it can aggravate hoarseness and inhibit the recovery of vocal cord nodules. Dietary habits also need to be managed; avoid smoking, alcohol, and spicy or irritating foods. In terms of treatment, oral medication and nebulization therapy are primarily used, along with recommended voice training, which can be more beneficial for recovery.
Can vocal cord nodules turn into cancer?
Patients with vocal cord nodules usually do not undergo cancerous changes. The main causes of vocal cord nodules are related to improper use of the voice, excessive vocalization, and other factors. The pathological basis for the formation of vocal cord nodules involves edema in the Reinke's layer of the vocal cord mucosa, causing symmetrical hyperplasia of the vocal cords on both sides. The main symptoms in patients are hoarseness and difficulty in producing high-pitched sounds. The primary treatments for patients with vocal cord nodules currently include medication and surgery. Additionally, it is important for patients to protect their voice in daily life, practice voice rest, and reduce unhealthy habits like smoking and alcohol consumption to help prevent the occurrence of vocal cord nodules. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
Vocal cord nodules physical therapy
Vocal cord nodules are a common and frequent otolaryngological disorder, often found in professions that require excessive voice use, such as teachers, salespeople, and singers. These nodules typically grow symmetrically on the anterior-middle third of the vocal cords, with intermittent hoarseness as the main symptom. A definitive diagnosis can be made using a laryngoscope. Effective treatment for vocal cord nodules includes voice rest, avoiding spicy and irritating foods, as well as cold drinks, and taking care to protect the voice in daily use. Oral medications that invigorate blood circulation and remove blood stasis can be used to improve symptoms. For patients whose nodules do not resolve, surgery is usually required to remove the vocal cord nodules and restore the voice to normal. (Please use medications under the guidance of a physician.)