What medicine should I take for vocal cord polyps?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on June 01, 2025
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Some patients with vocal cord polyps can consider medication treatment, mainly aimed at smaller polyps with limited lesion scope and not particularly obvious clinical symptoms. In such cases, medication treatment can be considered, generally focusing on oral and nebulized medications. It is also necessary to avoid excessive voice use and to frequently revisit the laryngoscope to monitor the changes in the vocal cord polyps, typically revisiting every 1-3 months. If the polyps are larger and have caused obvious hoarseness or severely affected breathing, conservative medical treatment is likely to be ineffective, and it may be necessary to consider undergoing a microlaryngoscopic surgery to remove the vocal cord polyps. Regular follow-ups are still required after the surgery to observe the recovery. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor, based on the specific situation.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
47sec home-news-image

Early symptoms of recurrent vocal cord polyps

Vocal cord polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological disease. If vocal cord polyps recur, they can cause related clinical symptoms, the most common being a hoarse voice. Some patients experience persistent hoarseness, while others have sporadic hoarseness. Moreover, the hoarseness generally becomes more pronounced after excessive use of the voice. In terms of treatment, the first step is to visit an otolaryngologist. It is recommended to undergo a laryngoscopy to examine the size of the polyp in detail. If the polyp is relatively small, conservative treatment may be considered, commonly involving oral medication combined with nebulization therapy. However, if the polyp is particularly large, surgery might be necessary.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Do vocal cord polyps cause coughing?

Vocal cord polyps generally do not cause coughing in patients. Vocal cord polyps are vocal cord lesions caused by prolonged improper use of the voice, shouting loudly, excessive yelling, or irritation of the vocal cords by acid reflux. They primarily cause the patient's voice to be hoarse and progressively worsen. Vocal cord polyps generally occur on one side. When examined with an electronic laryngoscope, a smooth-surfaced, light red or pale white abnormal growth can be found on the anterior middle third of one vocal cord. The glottis moves well, but closure is incomplete, causing persistent hoarseness in the patient. In terms of treatment, conservative treatment for vocal cord polyps is ineffective, and patients need to undergo surgical treatment. The surgery can be performed with a support laryngoscope to remove the vocal cord polyp. Hospitalization is required for the surgery, and recovery with discharge is possible within about a week.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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How are vocal cord polyps caused?

The main causes of vocal cord polyps are improper voicing or excessive voice use. For example, professions that involve a lot of talking, such as teachers, salespeople, singers, actors, etc., can also lead to polyps after a single intense vocalization. For instance, clinically, it is seen in individuals who go to karaoke after drinking and shout loudly, straining their voice, which can then cause the formation of the vertical polyps. Additionally, upper respiratory infections, such as hoarseness following a cold, can also lead to the diagnosis of vocal cord polyps upon further examination. Therefore, the primary causes are improper or excessive voice use and some upper respiratory infections that lead to vocal cord polyps.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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What should be noted after vocal cord polyp surgery?

The most important thing to pay attention to after vocal cord polyp surgery is to speak as little as possible, which means vocal rest. Typically, vocal rest should last between two to four weeks. The better you adhere to vocal rest, the better your voice will recover after the surgery. Once recovered, continue to minimize speaking and ensure correct pronunciation to prevent recurrence of vocal cord polyps. Another important consideration is avoiding environments with tobacco smoke; do not smoke and try to stay away from places where others are smoking. Diet should be light, avoiding spicy and stimulating foods. Also, manage your emotions in daily life; do not rush or shout, as this can affect your recovery. Even if you do not yell when anxious, it can still lead to a less than optimal post-operative recovery.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can Traditional Chinese Medicine cure vocal cord polyps?

Vocal cord polyps in traditional Chinese medicine are considered incurable because they are a benign tumor that must be surgically removed for a cure. The causes of vocal cord polyps generally include improper long-term voice use, shouting loudly, and excessive fatigue. For instance, teachers and singers are prone to developing vocal cord polyps. These polyps can cause persistent hoarseness in the patient's voice, which progressively worsens. Vocal cord polyps usually occur unilaterally. During an electronic laryngoscopy examination, an abnormal neoplasm can be observed on the anterior middle third of one vocal cord, typically pale white or pale red, soft, painless, and not prone to bleeding. For treatment, the patient needs to undergo local surgical removal to be cured. The surgery, which can be performed under a supporting laryngoscope, involves the excision of the vocal cord polyp, and recovery typically takes about a week before discharge from the hospital. After surgery, patients need to take good care of their vocal cords to prevent recurrence.