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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.
What else can I help you with?
How do you use the word dysphonia in a sentence?
(Dysphonia is a voice impairment.)The patient suffered dysphonia after the injury to her throat.
How do you use dysphonia in a sentence?
A singer may cancel a concert due to dysphonia.
What is an example of a medical term with the suffix -phonia meaning sound or voice?
Aphonia means 'voicelessness', from both Latin and Greek contemporaries.
Dysarthria?
DefinitionDysarthria is a condition that occurs when problems with the muscles that help you talk make it difficult to pronounce words.Alternative NamesImpairment of speech; Slurred speech; Speech disorders - dysarthriaCauses, incidence, and risk factorsIn a person with dysarthria, a nerve, brain, or muscle disorder makes it difficult to use or control the muscles of the mouth, tongue, larynx, or vocal cords, which make speech.The muscles may be weak or completely paralyzed, or it may be difficult for the muscles to work together.Dysarthria may be the result of brain damage due to:Brain tumorDementiaStrokeTraumatic brain injuryDysarthria may result from damage to the nerves that supply the muscles that help you talk, or to the muscles themselves from:Face or neck traumaSurgery for head and neck cancer, such as partial or total removal of the tongue or voice boxDysarthria may be caused by diseases that affect nerves and muscles (neuromuscular diseases):Cerebral palsyMultiple sclerosisMuscular dystrophyMyasthenia gravisParkinson's diseaseOther causes may include:Alcohol intoxicationPoorly fitting denturesSide effects of medications that act on the central nervous system, such as narcotics, phenytoin, or carbamazepineSymptomsDepending on its cause, dysarthria may develop slowly or occur suddenly.People with dysarthria have trouble making certain sounds or words.Their speech is poorly pronounced (such as slurring), and the rhythm or speed of their speech changes. Other symptoms include:Sounding as though they are mumblingSpeaking softly or in a whisperSpeaking in a nasal or stuffy, hoarse, strained, or breathy voiceA person with dysarthria may also drool and have problems chewing or swallowing. It may be difficult to move the lips, tongue, or jaw.Signs and testsThe health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. Family and friends may need to help with the medical history.The physician may perform a laryngoscopy. In this test, a flexible viewing tube called a laryngoscope is placed in the mouth and throat to view the voice box.Tests that may be performed if the cause of the dysarthria is unknown include:Blood tests for toxins or vitamin levelsImaging tests, such as an MRI or CAT scan of the brain or neckNerve conduction studies and electromyogram to check the electrical function of the nerves or musclesTreatmentYou may need to be referred to a speech and language therapist for testing and treatment. Special skills you may learn include:Safe chewing or swallowing techniques, if neededTo avoid conversations when you are tiredTo repeat sounds over and over again so you can learn mouth movementsTo speak slowly, use a louder voice, and pause to make sure other people understandWhat to do when you feel frustrated while speakingYou can use many different devices or techniques to help with speech, such as:Computers to type out wordsFlip cards with words or symbolsSpecial computer programs that allow you to create spoken words by typing words or clicking on symbolsIt's important to maintain a relaxed, calm environment. Reduce noise, music, and other stimuli during communication.A few surgical techniques may help people with ALS and dysarthria.Expectations (prognosis)Depending on the cause of dysarthria, symptoms may improve, stay the same, or get worse slowly or quickly.Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) eventually lose the ability to speak.Few people with Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis lose the ability to speak.Dysarthria caused by medication or poorly fitting dentures can be reversed.Dysarthria caused by a stroke or brain injury will not get worse, and may improve.Dysarthria after surgery to the tongue or voice box should not get worse, and may improve with therapy. The severity of dysarthria depends on what type and how much tissue was removed.ComplicationsPneumoniacaused by breathing in saliva or foodDepressionLow self-esteemSocial problemsCalling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have:Chest pain, chills, fever, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of pneumoniaCoughing or chokingDifficulty speaking to or communicating with other peopleFeelings of sadness or depressionPreventionThere are no specific ways to prevent dysarthria. Preventing the cause, such as stroke, nerve injury, or other brain and nervous system problems is the best approach.ReferencesSwanberg MM, Nasreddine ZS, Mendez MF, Cummings JL. Speech and language. In: Goetz CG, ed. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 6.Cohen SM, Elackattu A, Noordzij JP, Walsh MJ, Langmore SE. Palliative treatment of dysphonia and dysarthria. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2009;42:107-121.Reviewed ByReview Date: 07/26/2010Daniel 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.
Laryngoscopy?
DefinitionLaryngoscopy is examination of the larynx (voice box) using a small mirror held just below the back of your palate, or a rigid or flexible viewing tube called a laryngoscope placed in your mouth.Depending on the circumstances, you may need anesthesia.
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?
(Dysphonia is a voice impairment.)The patient suffered dysphonia after the injury to her throat.
How do you use dysphonia in a sentence?
A singer may cancel a concert due to dysphonia.
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 are focal dystonias?
Focal dystonias are involuntary muscle contractions that cause twisting and repetitive movements in a specific part of the body. They often affect areas like the neck (cervical dystonia), hand (writer's cramp), or vocal cords (spasmodic dysphonia). Focal dystonias can be painful and disabling, but treatments like botulinum toxin injections or physical therapy can help manage symptoms.
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
