Monday, 16 January 2017

What is Vocal Cord Dysfunction?


If you (or someone you know) has been diagnosed with Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) this means that the vocal cords do not act normally. Simply put, it means that instead of your vocal cords opening up when you breathe in and out, your vocal cords close. This closing of your vocal cords makes it harder to get air into and/or out of your lungs.


Some of the common signs and symptoms of VCD:
Feeling short of breath or feeling that it is hard to get air into or out of your lungs. 
- Tightness in the throat or chest. 
- Frequent coughing or the need to clear your throat.

An onset of VCD can be sudden and may (at times) require admission to hospital.  However, even if an attack is severe, the oxygen level in your blood is usually found to be normal. This is not the case during an asthma attack.  And unlike asthma, VCD symptoms do not tend to occur during sleep.

Please be aware it takes the diagnosis of a specialist, usually a respiratory physician, to make this diagnosis.  Many GP's will often diagnose these symptoms as asthma. 


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