Vocal folds can form due to irritation when the vocal cords are overused. These lumps cause the voice to turn hoarse or even disappear. But, you dont have to worry. In addition to being overcome, vocal cord lumps can also be prevented.
The vocal cords are elastic tissue in the voice box (larynx) located in the larynx. When someone talks or sings, air from the lungs comes out through the vocal cords and causes vibrations. This vibration produces sound.
Excessive use of the vocal cords can cause irritation to that part. If it happens continuously for a long time, irritation of the vocal cords will form a hard lump.
In addition to making a hoarse, low or missing sound, vocal cord lumps can also cause a lump in the throat, pain in the throat or neck, and cough.
How to Overcome Vocal Band Lumps
If you experience these complaints, you are advised to consult an ENT doctor. The doctor will ask for a history of complaints and illnesses that you have suffered, as well as an examination of the throat and vocal cords. Examination of the vocal cords can be done with a laryngoscopy procedure.
After a vocal cord lump has been confirmed, the doctor may suggest the following steps for treatment:
1. Resting sound
To relieve symptoms due to a vocal cord lump, you are usually advised not to talk or whisper, unless absolutely necessary. If possible, try not to use sound at all for several days.
2. Sound therapy
Voice therapy is carried out by speech therapists, who are trained professionals who provide specialized training to deal with speech disorders.
Sound therapy is the main method in the treatment of vocal folds. With this method, the lump will usually disappear within 6-12 weeks.
3. Use of drugs
Several studies have shown that corticosteroid drug injections in the vocal cords can help treat lumps in the vocal cords and restore a patient's voice. However, administration of drugs is not always necessary in the case of a vocal cord lump.
Sometimes irritation and lumps in the vocal cords can be caused by stomach acid disease (GERD), sinusitis, allergies, or thyroid gland disorders. If so, then these diseases also need to be treated.
4. Operation
Surgery is the last step that can be done if the sound therapy and other treatment steps do not provide satisfactory results, or if the lump size is very large.
How to Prevent Vocal Band Lumps
Even though it has been treated, vocal cord lumps can reappear if the vocal cords continue to become irritated. To prevent a recurrence, do the following simple methods:
1. Avoid cigarette smoke
Cigarette smoke needs to be avoided to prevent recurrence of vocal cord lumps. This is because the components in cigarette smoke are known to cause irritation in the vocal cords.
2. Increase the consumption of water
Drink plenty of water to keep your vocal cords moist and reduce irritation. Avoid drinks that contain alcohol, soda, and caffeine, such as coffee or tea.
3. Reduce stress
Avoid stress by meditating, doing yoga, or doing breathing exercises. When a person is under stress, the neck muscles tend to be tense. This can interfere with the work of the vocal cords.
4. Warm up the sound
Warming up the voice is important before singing or talking for a long time. You can ask for a speech therapist or vocal coach to practice warming up before using your vocal cords for a long time.
5. Avoid talking in a loud voice
Follow the instructions of the speech therapist about the right speaking techniques. Of the various factors that might cause vocal cord lumps, research shows that excessive use of vocal cords is a major factor. If you need to talk loud, use a microphone.
Practice speaking or singing correctly is the key to overcoming and preventing the emergence of vocal cord lumps. If the vocal folds have healed and you have taken the precautionary steps above but voice changes occur again after a few days, you should check with an ENT specialist.
