How to take care of vocal cord polyps in daily life?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 09, 2025
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Vocal cord polyps are primarily caused by improper voice use, shouting loudly, and excessive fatigue, leading to vocal cord lesions. They cause persistent hoarseness in patients and progressively worsen. Vocal cord polyps generally occur on one side. If a patient experiences persistent hoarseness, they should first visit a hospital for an examination using a laryngoscope. In the anterior-middle third of one vocal cord, a pale white or pale red, smooth-surfaced abnormal neoplasm will be found. This causes incomplete closure of the vocal cords and results in hoarseness. For treatment, vocal cord polyps require the removal through endoscopic support with a laryngoscope. Surgery requires hospitalization, and complete vocal rest for a week post-surgery, along with speaking softly and eating a bland diet, can gradually improve the condition and prevent recurrent episodes.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can vocal cord polyps be treated without surgery?

Vocal cord polyps are benign neoplasms in the throat, primarily presenting clinically as hoarseness. Typically, vocal cord polyps are relatively large when detected, and various treatment methods often do not result in complete disappearance. Therefore, clinical treatment of vocal cord polyps mainly involves surgical removal. Sometimes, if patients are reluctant to undergo surgery, medication can be attempted. However, the likelihood of completely eliminating vocal cord polyps with medication alone is relatively low. If the condition does not improve or the polyps do not shrink or disappear after medicinal treatment, surgery is often necessary.

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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 Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Can people with vocal cord polyps eat fish?

Vocal cord polyps can be consumed without any issues. Vocal cord polyps are abnormalities on the vocal cords that are usually caused by improper voice use, shouting loudly, or excessive fatigue over a long period. Typically, the condition affects one side of the vocal cords and leads to persistent hoarseness in the patient. If a patient experiences continuous hoarseness without signs of improvement, an electronic laryngoscopy is first required. Generally, a smooth, pale white abnormal growth can be found on the anterior middle third of one vocal cord, leading to incomplete closure of the glottis and resulting in hoarseness. In terms of treatment, the removal of vocal cord polyps requires a type of supporting laryngoscopy surgery, which necessitates hospitalization and general anesthesia. Post-surgery, antibiotics are used to prevent local infection. Furthermore, complete vocal rest is necessary for one week post-surgery before gradual recovery can occur. (Please follow the guidance of a professional physician when using medication and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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What should I do if my vocal cord polyps are inflamed?

Patients with vocal cord polyps often experience inflammation, typically caused by the polyps which make it difficult to speak, subsequently leading to edema in the laryngeal mucosa and causing acute laryngitis. In such cases, it is essential to first rest the voice and avoid excessive vocalization. At the same time, oral administration of throat-clearing medicine and antibiotics is necessary to reduce inflammation. Patients diagnosed with vocal cord polyps should undergo support laryngoscopy surgery to remove the polyp tissue once contraindications have been ruled out, thus restoring normal vocal function. Post-surgery, it is crucial to strictly rest the voice for three to four weeks, while also avoiding spicy, irritating foods, and cold beverages to prevent exacerbating local inflammation.

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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.