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What is laryngeal dystonia? — Laryngeal dystonia is a rare disorder that affects the muscles that control the vocal cords in your throat (figure 1). The disorder makes it hard for you to speak normally. It used to be called "spasmodic dysphonia."
Laryngeal dystonia affects mostly women and usually starts in middle age (when the person is between 30 and 60 years old).
There are 2 main types of laryngeal dystonia:
●The most common type, called the "adductor type," causes a person's speech to sound halting, strained, and strangled.
●The other type, called the "abductor type," a causes a person's speech to sound breathy, like a whisper.
What causes laryngeal dystonia? — Doctors don't know what causes it. They do know it happens because the muscles in the throat freeze up or spasm. They also suspect the condition happens because of a problem in a part of the brain that controls movement.
Should I see a doctor or nurse? — Yes, if you develop a new speech problem that does not go away, see a doctor or nurse.
Will I need tests? — Maybe. Sometimes doctors use a special tool called a "nasopharyngoscope" to look at the vocal cords.
How is laryngeal dystonia treated? — The main treatment is injections of a medicine called botulinum toxin (also called "BoTox") into the muscles in the voice box. These injections help the muscles relax and reduce the symptoms of laryngeal dystonia.
Patient education: Dystonia (The Basics)
Patient education: Dysarthria (The Basics)
