About Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD)
(Also Known as Paradoxical Vocal Cord Motion or PVFM)
What is vocal cord dysfunction (VCD)?
What are the symptoms of vocal cord dysfunction?
What happens with VCD?
Learn about pediatric speech and language development.
What is vocal cord dysfunction?
In 1983, doctors at National Jewish described a condition that may be confused with asthma. This condition is called vocal cord dysfunction, or VCD. People with VCD will report asthma-like symptoms to their doctors.
What are the symptoms of vocal cord dysfunction?
Symptoms of VCD include:
- Shortness of breath
- Intermittent hoarseness and/or wheezing
- Chronic cough and/or throat clearing
- Chest and/or throat tightness
- "Just having trouble getting air in."
These symptoms are a result of an abnormal closing of the vocal cords (VCD) rather than inflammation of their airways (asthma).
Based on these symptoms, many people with VCD may be misdiagnosed with asthma and treated with asthma medications. Since VCD is not asthma, little or no improvement is seen in symptoms. If VCD is still not diagnosed, oral steroids (used in other chronic lung diseases like severe asthma) may be prescribed. Significant side effects can develop with long-term use of these medicines. Oral steroids are only recommended if it is shown that the benefits of their use outweigh the costs. Additionally, a misdiagnosis can also lead to frequent emergency room visits and hospitalizations – even intubation.
While it should be clear why a correct diagnosis of VCD is important, it is also critical to keep in mind that some people have both VCD and asthma, which complicates both the diagnosis and the treatment.
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What happens with VCD?
To understand VCD, it is helpful to understand how the vocal cords function. The vocal cords are located at the top of the windpipe (trachea) and vibrate from exhaled air to produce noise and voice. Breathing in and out causes the vocal cords to open allowing air to flow through the windpipe (trachea). However, with vocal cord dysfunction, the vocal cords close together, or constrict, during one or both parts of the breathing cycle. This leaves only a small opening for air to flow through the windpipe and causes asthma-like symptoms.
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Learn how speech language pathologists at National Jewish can help you.
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This information has been apporved by Marcy Hicks, M.S., CCC-SLP (July 2006).
