How to care for vocal cord polyps symptoms

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 04, 2025
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The more common symptoms of vocal cord polyps include hoarseness and a recurring sensation of a foreign body in the throat, which is generally a common condition. In daily life, it is necessary to speak as little as possible and avoid overusing the voice, as symptoms such as hoarseness from excessive voice use can significantly worsen and potentially promote further growth of the polyps. It is also recommended to follow a bland diet and avoid spicy and irritating foods, as frequent consumption of spicy foods can exacerbate throat inflammation. Regular follow-up examinations, such as laryngoscopic inspections to observe changes in the polyps, are necessary. If the polyps are large, surgical removal may need to be considered. If they are small, medication and nebulizer treatments can be considered initially to observe the effects.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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What should I do about vocal cord polyps?

Vocal cord polyps are benign tumors located on the vocal cords, primarily caused by improper use of the voice or by inflammatory infections. When vocal cord polyps are suspected, it is essential to visit a hospital for an examination, primarily using a laryngoscope to assess the size of the polyps and check for any other vocal cord lesions. Once diagnosed, surgical intervention is often evaluated. Suitable cases are admitted to the hospital for surgery under a surgical microscope to remove the polyps. Generally, patients can be discharged three to five days after the surgery. The surgery involves microscopic techniques, so the trauma is minimal.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Why does vocal cord polyp surgery require general anesthesia?

Vocal cord polyps are a relatively common type of ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) disorder. For larger polyps where conservative treatment with medication is ineffective, surgical treatment should be considered. Currently, the main surgical procedure is the excision of vocal cord polyps under a supported laryngoscope, which requires general anesthesia. This is because the procedure is difficult for patients to endure without general anesthesia, as the supported laryngoscope is a type of metal tube that needs to be inserted through the mouth into the pharynx. Local anesthesia would be insufficient as patients might struggle to cooperate and tolerate the pain or nausea, hence general anesthesia is necessary for the surgery.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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What foods are good for vocal cord polyps?

Patients with vocal cord polyps can generally eat normal foods such as steamed buns, filled buns, porridge, rice, and fruits, as these do not exacerbate the condition nor interfere with the treatment of vocal cord polyps. These foods also do not conflict directly with medications used to treat vocal cord polyps. However, it is recommended to avoid spicy, irritating foods and foods that can easily cause allergies, as these may affect the condition of vocal cord polyps. Patients with vocal cord polyps are advised to visit an otolaryngology department after the onset of the disease, where routine blood tests and laryngoscope examinations can be conducted to assess the specific severity of the condition, thus allowing for targeted treatment.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can vocal cord polyps be treated conservatively?

Vocal cord polyps are a relatively common ENT disorder. For treatment, conservative treatment can be considered for some patients. If the vocal cord polyps are small and the symptoms of hoarseness are not particularly noticeable, conservative treatment with medication can be initially considered. Common treatments include oral traditional Chinese medicine, combined with nebulization therapy. It's also suggested to undergo voice training concurrently. Generally, with formal treatment lasting about two weeks, symptoms of hoarseness can gradually improve, and polyps may recede in some patients. However, if the vocal cord polyps are particularly large and the symptoms of hoarseness are very noticeable, and conservative treatment proves ineffective, then surgical treatment should be considered.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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The difference between vocal cord polyps and pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is primarily a nonspecific inflammation of the throat, which can be divided into acute pharyngitis and chronic pharyngitis. Acute pharyngitis is mainly caused by bacterial infections affecting the mucous membrane and submucosal tissues of the throat, leading to symptoms such as dry throat, burning sensation, sore throat, and pain when swallowing. The main pathogens involved are often streptococcus and staphylococcus, among others. Patients with chronic pharyngitis mainly experience a foreign body sensation in the throat, along with dryness and itchiness. In contrast, patients with vocal cord polyps, which mainly differ from pharyngitis, exhibit hoarseness. Typically, pharyngitis patients do not exhibit obvious hoarseness. Differentiation between the two can be achieved through an examination with a laryngoscope, which can determine the presence of obvious polyp growth on the vocal cords, thereby distinguishing between vocal cord polyps and pharyngitis.