What Causes Vocal Fold Insufficiency?

Posted on Sat, 8 Oct 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 8 Oct 2016 Answered on

Tue, 8 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : a speech pathologist says i have "glottal inefficiency," which is causing my voice to be extremely weak, talking to make my throat and my neck muscles extremely sore from exertion, the immediate accumulation of phlegm if I try to talk, a feeling of a lump in my throat if i try to talk, and a feeling that I can't get enough air so have to gasp periodically if I try to talk.
Is the poathologist right? or could this be something else? (have already had thyroid test, lyme test, chest x-ray, ultrasound of neck and thyroid, white cell count check, laryngial scope of vocal chords,
all negative).

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Do you have reflux disease?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Well it is very difficult to confirm glottal insufficiency. We have to rule out other causes first.
Since your blood reports are normal, we should rule out GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) in your case.
Undiagnosed GERD can also cause similar symptoms.
So please let me know
1. Do you have reflux disease?
2. Do you have belching or burping?
3. What are your height and weight?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar