Is your vocal distress spasmodic dysphonia?

Spasmodic dysphonia is a rare disorder characterized by a strained, uneven and uncontrolled voice while speaking.

“Spasmodic dysphonia occurs due to overactive larynx muscles, which makes speaking normally difficult,” explains Dr. Resha Soni, an otolaryngologist specialized in disorders and treatments of the larynx at Aurora Health Care.

What causes spasmodic dysphonia?

While researchers don’t know the exact cause of the condition, it’s believed to originate from the part of the brain that is responsible for movement called the basal ganglia.

“Oftentimes, spasmodic dysphonia can occur in isolation, meaning there is no underlying health condition that caused the voice disorder to develop,” Dr. Soni explains. “However, it can be seen in patients with neurological disorders or in conjunction with tremors.”

How is spasmodic dysphonia diagnosed and treated?

To diagnose the condition, your otolaryngologist will perform a fiberoptic nasolaryngoscopy. This involves your doctor passing a tube through your nasal passage into the larynx, also referred to as the voice box, to visualize your vocal folds during speech.

While there isn’t a cure, there are ways to treat spasmodic dysphonia symptoms. Medical Botox (Botulinum toxin) is the most popular treatment method.

“Medical botox works by blocking the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction,” Dr. Soni says. “It leads to a temporary paralysis that prevents muscle contraction. Injecting microdoses of Botox helps relax particular larynx muscles to allow for a smoother voice quality – at least temporarily.”

She says there are other spasmodic dysphonia treatments that are undergoing further evaluation as an alternative to Botox.

But just because you have vocal distress, doesn’t necessarily mean you have the rare voice disorder. It’s possible to temporarily irritate your vocal cord simply by talking, singing or shouting loudly.

Dr. Soni says there are also many conditions that can cause voice issues. “These range from benign vocal cord polyps and nodules, vocal cord paralysis, vocal cord tumors, and neurological conditions that can affect the voice, like Parkinson’s disease, Lyme disease and even ALS,” she says.

If you have concerns about vocal distress, contact your health care provider for further guidance.

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