HOMOEOPATHY FOR VOCAL CORD PARALYSIS

The vocal cords are two bands of tissue located in the larynx, above the trachea. The vocal cords open and close like a valve during breathing, swallowing and voicing. Voice is produced when exhaled lung air passes over the closed vocal cords and causes them to vibrate. During swallowing the vocal cords close to protect the airway.

Vocal cord paralysis is a condition that occurs when one or both of the vocal cords do not move properly. The lack of movement may be partial or complete, and the symptoms can range from mild to life threatening. A person who has vocal cord paralysis may experience voice and / or swallowing difficulties.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of vocal cord paralysis may include:

·         A breathy quality to the voice

·         Hoarseness

·         Noisy breathing

·         Loss of vocal pitch

·         Choking or coughing while swallowing food, drink or saliva

·         The need to take frequent breathing while speaking

·         Inability to speak loudly

·         Loss of gag reflex

·         Ineffective coughing

·         Frequent throat clearing

Causes

In vocal cord paralysis, the nerve impulses to the voice box (larynx) are disrupted, resulting in paralysis of the muscle. Doctors often don't know the cause of vocal cord paralysis. Known causes may include:

·         Injury to the vocal cord during surgery. Surgery on or near your neck or upper chest can result in damage to the nerves that serve the voice box. Surgeries that carry a risk of damage include surgeries to the thyroid or parathyroid glands, esophagus, neck, and chest.

·         Neck or chest injury. Trauma to the neck or chest may injure the nerves that serve the vocal cords or the voice box itself.

·         Stroke. A stroke interrupts blood flow into the brain and may damage the part of the  brain that sends messages to the voice box.

·         Tumors. Tumors, both cancerous and noncancerous, can grow in or around the muscles, cartilage or nerves controlling the function of the voice box and can cause vocal cord paralysis.

·         Infections. Some infections, such as Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr virus and herpes, can cause inflammation and directly damage the nerves in the larynx.

·         Neurological conditions. Certain neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease, may cause  vocal cord paralysis.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase  risk of developing vocal cord paralysis include:

·         Undergoing throat or chest surgery. People who need surgery on their thyroid, throat or upper chest have an increased risk of vocal cord nerve damage. Sometimes breathing tubes used in surgery or to help you breathe if you're having serious respiratory trouble can damage the vocal cord nerves.

·         Having a neurological condition. People with certain neurological conditions — such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis — are more likely to develop vocal cord weakness or paralysis.

Complications

Breathing problems associated with vocal cord paralysis may be so mild that you just have a hoarse-sounding voice, or they can be so serious that they're life-threatening.

Because vocal cord paralysis keeps the opening to the airway from completely opening or closing, other complications may include choking on or actually inhaling (aspirating) food or liquid. Aspiration that leads to severe pneumonia is rare but serious and requires immediate medical care

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance  at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When vocal cord paralysis   is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

CAUSTICUM: One of the top remedies for  vocal cord paralysis.  Progressive loss of muscular strength, ending in paralysis of single organs or parts. Local paralysis of vocal cords.  Aphonia or hoarseness . Difficulty of voice in singers and public speakers. Worse in the morning and evening. Inability to peak loudly.  Dry hollow cough with mucus on chest, patient cannot expectorate, must swallow the phlegm raised. Cannot cough deep enough for relief.

COCCA :  A specific remedy. Loss of voice.

COCCULUS INDICUS:  Broken voice. Constriction in throat with difficult respiration and inclination to cough. Choking in throat. Oppressed breathing.

GELSEMIUM SEMPERVIRENS:  Aphonia from vocal cord paralysis. Pain from throat to ear. Post –diphtheria paralysis.  Throat feels rough, and burning.  Difficult swallowing. Tiresome slow breathing. Slow breathing with great prostration.  

LACHESIS :  Loss of voice from paralysis of vocal cords. Left side is more affected. Larynx painful to touch. Sensation of suffocation and strangulation on lying down, particularly when anything is around throat, compels patient to spring from bed and rush for open window.  Feels he must take a deep breath.

STANUM METALLICUM:  A weak feeling in throat and chest. Weak voice, talking causes a weak feeling in chest and throat. Voice deep, hollow, hoarse , better hawking mucus.

PHOSPHORUS:  Aphonia, worse evening with rawness. Voice low, hoarse, worse morning and evening. Larynx, raw, sore, furry and painful on speaking.

POPULUS CANDICANS:  A voice producer, restores the voice.