Vocal cord paralysis is a condition in which we cannot control the movements of the muscles that control our voice due to the disruption of nerve stimuli. Vocal cord paralysis can make it difficult to speak or even breathe. This is because our vocal cords, called vocal cords, do more than just produce sound. Another task of our vocal cords is to prevent food, drink and other foreign substances from going into the trachea.

 

Vocal cord paralysis usually occurs in one vocal cord, but although it is rare for both vocal cords to be present, it is a very serious condition.

 

Symptoms;

• deterioration in sound quality,

• hoarseness,

• noisy breathing,

• Shortness of breath,

• loss of pitch,

• Choking/coughing when swallowing food, drink or saliva

• Frequent need to breathe while speaking

• Inability to speak loudly

• Loss of the gag reflex

• Symptoms such as frequent throat clearing are signs of vocal cord paralysis. 

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Causes of vocal cord paralysis,

• Damage to vocal cord nerves during surgery,

• Damage to the vocal cord nerve as a result of neck or chest injury, 

• Paralysis,

• Tumor,

• infections,

• Neurological conditions (Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's)