How long should one rest their voice for vocal cord polyps?

Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
Updated on February 28, 2025
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Vocal cord polyps are a common and frequent disease in otolaryngology. The main symptoms of vocal cord polyps in patients are usually hoarseness and vocal fatigue. Diagnosis can be confirmed through examination methods such as electronic laryngoscopy or indirect laryngoscopy. The primary treatment for vocal cord polyps is surgical removal of the polyp tissue to restore normal vocal function. After the surgery for vocal cord polyps, it is generally recommended that patients refrain from speaking for three to four weeks to promote the repair of the vocal cord mucosa and avoid congestion and swelling of the local mucosa due to excessive voicing or overuse, which can affect the recovery time or degree of recovery and are likely to lead to recurrence in patients.

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Written by Yao Jun
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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Do you need to avoid certain foods if you have vocal cord polyps?

Vocal cord polyps are a common ENT disease, mainly caused by patients overusing their voice, or by long-term consumption of spicy, irritating foods, staying up late, smoking, alcohol, strong tea, coffee, etc. Therefore, patients with vocal cord polyps should avoid eating spicy and irritating foods, and also avoid staying up late, smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming strong tea and coffee etc. It is best to eat some cooling foods that relieve summer heat, or take proprietary Chinese medicines that clear the throat and benefit the voice. Try to speak less, avoid staying up late, and avoid catching colds. Generally, if medication is ineffective, surgery may be considered. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Do vocal cord polyps recur?

Vocal cord polyps are benign neoplasms that occur on the vocal cords. Often, they are treated through surgical removal. After the removal of vocal cord polyps, there is a certain rate of recurrence. This is because the inflammation in the vocal cord area has not been fully controlled after the surgery. Recurrent and frequent upper respiratory infections stimulate the vocal cords. Also, inappropriate use of the voice, such as frequent vocalization and loud screaming, can damage the vocal cords and lead to the recurrence of vocal cord polyps. Other factors, such as diet, spicy and irritating foods, alcohol, and chili stimulation, can cause congestion and edema of the vocal cords to persist, leading to the recurrence of vocal cord polyps. Therefore, it’s important to be mindful of these aspects after surgery for vocal cord polyps.

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Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
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What does it feel like to have vocal cord polyps?

Vocal cord polyps generally do not cause any special sensations by themselves, but some patients may experience pain, stiffness, and fatigue. The main symptom is a hoarse voice, meaning the voice becomes raspier than before, making it difficult to articulate, especially when trying to sing or speak in high tones. In addition to hoarseness, other symptoms can include a feeling of vocal fatigue, throat pain, and an irritating cough. However, these symptoms can vary from person to person, with hoarseness being the primary manifestation.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Can vocal cord polyps cause difficulty breathing?

Vocal cord polyps rarely cause breathing difficulties, but for some patients with large vocal cord polyps, there is a possibility of gradually developing breathing difficulties. Vocal cord polyps are often due to patients overusing their voice, or from physical and chemical factors such as irritations from smoking and alcohol, which then lead to edema of the vocal cord mucosa. Prolonged irritation can gradually form vocal cord polyps, and the main symptoms include a hoarse voice, throat pain, and difficulty breathing. Once vocal cord polyps are discovered, they generally need to be treated surgically. Smaller vocal cord polyps can also be treated with medication. If medication is ineffective, surgical treatment can also be considered.

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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.