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Vocal cord nodules
The best treatment method for vocal cord nodules
Vocal cord nodules are often caused by excessive talking, loud speaking, or overuse of the voice. They are commonly found in individuals who frequently use their voices in their professions, such as salespeople, teachers, and singers. The best treatment approach is to address the root cause, which involves speaking less and using proper vocal techniques. This is the optimal treatment plan. However, this method may not always be effective, as some people, due to their occupational needs, cannot fully achieve vocal rest. If vocal rest does not effectively treat the condition, surgical intervention may then be necessary. During the treatment period, after diagnosing vocal cord nodules, vocal rest is the preferred approach. If vocal rest is ineffective or does not fully resolve the nodules, surgery may be required as a follow-up treatment.
Vocal cord nodules are caused by what?
Vocal cord nodules are mainly caused by improper speaking, excessive speaking, emotional excitement, and shouting. The most common symptom of vocal cord nodules is a hoarse voice. This condition is often seen in people who speak a lot, such as teachers, salespeople, and singers. These include individuals who tend to shout, are impatient, and speak improperly. Such cases are commonly seen in clinics, especially among children. For example, children who shout and speak carelessly at school during the semester may develop vocal cord nodules with hoarseness as a symptom. Additionally, emotionally excitable and impatient people can develop nodules. Some grandparents, who often yell at their children at home, also tend to develop vocal cord nodules. In summary, those who speak too much, shout, mispronounce sounds, or are emotionally excitable are at risk of developing vocal cord nodules.
What should be noted for vocal cord nodules?
Vocal cord nodules primarily require attention to speaking less and proper pronunciation as these measures address the causes of vocal cord nodules, which are due to excessive speaking and improper voicing. Therefore, these two factors need to be carefully considered. Additionally, in daily life, it's important to avoid environments with smoke and alcohol; do not smoke or inhale secondhand smoke. In terms of diet, consume light meals and avoid spicy and irritating foods. Emotionally, do not be hasty and especially avoid yelling, as there is a significant relationship between vocal cord nodules and emotional agitation or impatience.
Dietary precautions for vocal cord nodules
Vocal cord nodules, also known as singer's nodules, are most commonly seen in professions such as teachers, singers, and speakers. These professions generally involve extensive use of the voice, which can lead to the development of bilateral symmetrical nodules on the vocal cords, primarily causing the patient to have a hoarse voice and difficulty continuing with their work. Treatment generally requires surgery, although milder cases may be treated with medication. During and after the treatment, whether surgical or medicinal, attention must be paid to certain lifestyle and dietary practices. Dietary precautions mainly involve avoiding spicy and irritating foods, as well as reducing smoking and alcohol consumption. In terms of lifestyle, it is important to minimize voice use as much as possible within the first month after surgery to avoid further strain on the vocal cords.
Will there be a change in voice after vocal cord nodule surgery?
Vocal cord nodules commonly develop symmetrically at the anterior-middle third of both vocal cords. After the surgery for this condition, the hoarseness in the voice might initially worsen compared to before the surgery, particularly during the recovery period. After the surgery, it's crucial to rest the voice, meaning speaking less. Voice rest also includes proper phonation, which entails speaking correctly or not at all. It is advised to limit speaking to no more than five sentences per day. Moreover, during recovery, the voice may initially sound more hoarse than before the surgery but it should return to a state similar to that before the surgery once fully recovered. If after the surgery and subsequent recovery, the voice does not vary significantly from its pre-surgery state, this is generally the expected outcome. However, it isn't guaranteed 100%, as variations can occur depending on whether adequate voice rest was taken and whether proper phonation techniques were employed post-surgery.
How to treat vocal cord nodules
Vocal cord nodules, also known as singer's nodules, are typically located at the junction of the anterior and middle thirds of both vocal cords, featuring symmetrical nodular protrusions. They are more commonly found in individuals who use their voices professionally, such as singers, teachers, or other vocations that involve frequent shouting, as well as in children. Prolonged or improper use of the voice is a major cause of this condition. Therefore, during treatment, voice rest is primarily advised. Early stage vocal cord nodules can spontaneously resolve with sufficient vocal rest, and nodules in children often disappear naturally during puberty. Additionally, medication can be used for treatment, such as traditional Chinese medicines, including Jin Sang San Jie Wan and Kai Yin Pills. If conservative treatment fails, surgical removal of the vocal cord nodules under fiberoptic laryngoscopy can be performed, followed by a two-week voice rest period. Post-surgery, it is recommended to inhale medicated vapors, avoid spicy and irritating foods, drink plenty of water, avoid staying up late, and refrain from excessive voice use or shouting.
Do vocal cord nodules hurt?
Vocal cord nodules are symmetric, benign protrusions that occur on the free edge of the vocal cords. Clinically, the main symptoms of vocal cord nodules include a hoarse voice and fatigue after prolonged speaking, typically without any sensation of pain or causing any pain. Treatment primarily involves medication, voice therapy, and for some vocal cord nodules that appear after an acute upper respiratory infection, hormonal treatment may be required, or combined with some antibiotics. In summary, vocal cord nodules do not cause painful symptoms, and treatment focuses mainly on voice training and rest for the vocal cords.
How to treat vocal cord nodules?
The main symptom of vocal cord nodules is a hoarse voice, and some people often experience coughing. The cause of vocal cord nodules is related to excessive talking or improper use of the voice, such as in occupations like teachers, salespeople, and singers. Besides voice therapy, another treatment option is nebulizer inhalation, which is used to alleviate symptoms. Commonly used medications include corticosteroids, such as budesonide for nebulizer inhalation treatment, twice a day, one dose each time, but voice therapy is a prerequisite. Without voice therapy and correct voice usage, treatment with medication alone through nebulizer inhalation will not be effective, and the symptoms will not improve significantly. Some patients with vocal cord nodules do not need medication and can fully recover their normal voice and have the nodules disappear just by proper voice therapy and resting the voice for a period. Therefore, voice therapy is the best treatment for this condition.
Which is more serious, vocal cord nodules or vocal cord polyps?
Vocal cord nodules and vocal cord polyps are both benign occupies of the vocal cord area. Vocal cord nodules appear as point-like and nodular protrusions, while vocal cord polyps appear as polyp-like protrusions, and thus, the volume of vocal cord polyps is relatively larger. Generally speaking, the hoarseness associated with vocal cord nodules is milder, while the hoarseness from vocal cord polyps is more severe. In terms of treatment, vocal cord nodules generally do not require surgical intervention and are mainly managed with voice rest and symptomatic treatment. On the other hand, vocal cord polyps almost always require surgical treatment for resolution. Therefore, overall, vocal cord polyps are more severe, while vocal cord nodules are relatively milder.
How long does it usually take for vocal cord nodules to heal?
Vocal cord nodules are primarily caused by improper pronunciation or overuse of the voice, commonly seen in people who use their voices frequently. Treatment primarily involves vocal rest, which means speaking less and pronouncing correctly. The period of vocal rest usually needs to be relatively long. If the vocal cord nodules are larger, then an even longer period of vocal rest may be required, generally lasting from two to four weeks. Clinically, most cases require four weeks. The effects are generally better after resting for four weeks. During this period, treatment can be complemented with medications, such as nebulized inhalation, which can speed up recovery. The premise is to first undergo vocal rest followed by medication treatment, which generally takes about two to four weeks.