Vocal Cord Dysfunction Follow-up

  • Author: Praveen Buddiga, MD; Chief Editor: Michael A Kaliner, MD   more...
 
Updated: Feb 7, 2011
 

Further Outpatient Care

  • Patients must receive further care to determine the response to patient education and speech therapy and to assess the need for referral for psychiatric care.
  • Many patients with vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) are treated inappropriately with corticosteroids if they present to an emergency department or acute care facility even after the diagnosis of VCD is established. A handout (see below) for the patient to show to new physicians may be helpful to avoid inappropriate treatment. Vocal cord dysfunction treatment plan. Vocal cord dysfunction treatment plan.
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Deterrence/Prevention

  • Deterrence and prevention can be achieved by adherence to speech therapy guidelines and exercises and by relaxation therapy or other measures to decrease anxiety.
  • Avoidance or control of precipitating factors when identified (eg, exercise, environmental or occupational irritants, rhinosinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease)[31, 32]
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Prognosis

  • Prognosis is good with effective response to speech therapy, which allows patients to take control of their disorder.
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Patient Education

  • Patient education ideally uses a multidisciplinary approach with involvement of a physician and speech therapist and, if needed, a psychiatrist.
  • The physician's role is to inform the patient of test findings, especially the absence of diseases such as asthma, and to explain the nature of the condition. Patients often express a positive reaction to the initial explanation, and such a reaction usually implies a good prognosis.

Online patient educational sources

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Praveen Buddiga, MD  Physician, Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Baz Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center, Fresno, California

Praveen Buddiga, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology and American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

Disclosure: Glaxo Smith Kline Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Meda Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Teva Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Specialty Editor Board

Stephen Rosenfeld, MD  Professor Emeritus, Department of Medicine, Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology Unit, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry

Stephen Rosenfeld, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Association of Immunologists, American Federation for Clinical Research, Clinical Immunology Society, and Medical Society of the State of New York

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Michael R Simon, MD, MA  Clinical Professor Emeritus, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Adjunct Staff, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, William Beaumont Hospital

Michael R Simon, MD, MA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, Michigan Allergy and Asthma Society, Michigan State Medical Society, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine

Disclosure: Secretory IgA, Inc. Ownership interest Management position

Timothy D Rice, MD  Associate Professor, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine

Timothy D Rice, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Michael A Kaliner, MD  Clinical Professor of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine; Chief, Section of Allergy and Immunology, Washington Hospital Center; Medical Director, Institute for Asthma and Allergy

Michael A Kaliner, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, American Society for Clinical Investigation, American Thoracic Society, and Association of American Physicians

Disclosure: Alcon Consulting fee Consulting; Greer Consulting fee Consulting; Sanofi Consulting fee Consulting; Schering/Merck Consulting fee Consulting; Teva Consulting fee Consulting; Meda Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Ista Consulting

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Flow volume loops.
Laryngoscopic views of the vocal cords.
Vocal cord dysfunction treatment plan.
Relaxed throat breathing exercises.
 
 
 
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