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Spasmodic dysphonia is difficulty speaking due to spasms (dystonia) of the muscles that control the vocal cords.
Alternative NamesDysphonia - spasmodic
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsIn the past, spasmodic dysphonia was thought to be caused by a psychological, instead of a physical problem. However, many people now believe that it stems from a problem in the brain and nervous system. The vocal cord muscles spasm, causing the vocal cords to get too close or too far apart while people with the condition are using their voice.
Spasmodic dysphonia usually occurs between ages 30 and 51. Women are more likely to be affected than men.
SymptomsThe voice is usually hoarse or grating. It may waver and pause. The voice may sound strained or strangled, and it may seem as if the speaker has to use extra effort (known as adductor dysphonia).
Sometimes, the voice is whispery or breathy (abductor dysphonia).
Some people will find that the problem goes away when they laugh, whisper, speak in a high-pitched voice, sing, or shout.
Some patients will have muscle tone problems in other parts of the body (such as writer's cramp).
TreatmentPatients with spasmodic dysphonia should see an ear, nose, and throat doctor to check for changes in the vocal cords and other brain or nervous system problems.
Botulinum toxin (Botox) treatments may help. Botulinum toxin comes from a specific type of bacteria. Very small amounts of this toxin may be injected into the muscles around the vocal cords. This treatment will often help for a period of 3 to 4 months.
Surgery to cut one of the nerves to the vocal cords has been used to treat spasmodic dysphonia, but it is not very effective.
ReferencesGoetz CG, ed. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 13.
Blitzer A, Alexander RE, Grant NN. Neurologic disorders of the larynx. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2010:chap 60.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/16/2010
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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∙ 12y ago
Spasmodic dysphonia is a voice disorder characterized by involuntary spasms in the muscles of the voice box. This can lead to voice breaks, breathiness, and a strained or strangled vocal quality. Treatment may include voice therapy, Botox injections, and in some cases, surgery.
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How do you use the word dysphonia in a sentence?
The singer struggled with dysphonia, causing her voice to sound hoarse and strained during the performance.
How do you use dysphonia in a sentence?
The singer's dysphonia caused her voice to sound hoarse and strained during the performance.
What is an example of a medical term with the suffix -phonia meaning sound or voice?
Dysphonia is a medical term that means difficulty producing sound from the larynx, resulting in altered voice quality.
Dysarthria?
Dysarthria is a speech disorder caused by muscle weakness or paralysis that affects the ability to control the muscles involved in speech production. It can result in slurred, slow, or mumbled speech, making it difficult for others to understand. Treatment options may include speech therapy, assistive communication devices, or addressing any underlying medical conditions causing the dysarthria.
Laryngoscopy?
Laryngoscopy is a medical procedure that involves examining the larynx (voice box) using a special instrument called a laryngoscope. It is often done to diagnose conditions affecting the larynx, such as vocal cord disorders, tumors, or airway obstructions. There are different types of laryngoscopy, including direct laryngoscopy and flexible laryngoscopy, each with its own purpose and method of visualization.
What is sen Susan Collins speech impediment?
spasmodoic dysphonia
What made Katharine Hepburn speech so difficult?
spasmodic dysphonia
Why does actress gail strickland talk in halting tones?
She is rumoured to have a type of spasmodic dysphonia which has caused her voice to become increasingly breathy over the years.
Scott Adams and Robert Kennedy were among the famous people with spasmodic dysphonia a condition that involves involuntary muscles movements Where?
he throat, so it is hard to talk
How do you use the word dysphonia in a sentence?
The singer struggled with dysphonia, causing her voice to sound hoarse and strained during the performance.
How do you use dysphonia in a sentence?
The singer's dysphonia caused her voice to sound hoarse and strained during the performance.
What caused the essential tremor in Katharine Hepburns voice?
Sounds very much like Spasmodic Dysphonia Unfortunately she isn't able to be tested for this disorder. Often known as Laryngeal dystonia/ it is a disorder affecting the voice muscles in the larnyx, also called the voice box. When you speak, air from your lungs is pushed between two elastic structures called your vocal folds -- causing them o vibrate and prodcuce your voice, In Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD), the muscles inside the vocal folds spasm(make sudden, involuntary movements), interfering with vocal fold vibrations. SD causes voice breaks during speaking and can make the voice sound tight, strained or breathy,
What is the medical term that describes any voice impairment including hoarseness weakness or loss of voice?
Dysphonia means hoarseness or voice impairment.dysphoniadys*dysphonia: hoarseness of voice impairmentdysphonia
What are some causes of dysphonia?
Dysphonia is a voice disorder that can be caused by things such as an underactive thyroid gland or nodules on the vocal cords. It can also be caused by any kind of trauma that has occurred to the vocal cords.
What are the side effects of trimetazidine?
abscess, disseminated intravascular coagulation, dysphonia.
How do you write a sentence with dysphonia?
pgl[fjpom,ptlgjko mb,yhip5on ujb'l';sdld
Who is the creator of the cartoon Dilbert?
That would be Scott Adams.[1] Some interesting trivia: * He used to work at Pacific Bell, and worked closely with telecom engineers, where he first got his ideas. * He first published Dilbert in 1989, while still employed at Pacific Bell. * He has dyslexia and focal dystonia (commonly knows as "writer's cramp"), he also has spasmodic dysphonia, which affects his speech. * He is a trained hypnotist. * He is a vegetarian. * In 1997, posing as a management consultant, and wearing a disguise, Adams worked with senior leadership at Logitech to create an incomprehensible mission statement.
