Vocal Cord Paralysis Quiz
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Reviewed By:
Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Northwell Health and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He holds a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Medical Education with a special focus on educational technology, educational research, and game-based learning from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He has a special interest in faculty development and has been a speaker or faculty at hundreds of local, national, and international courses and conferences. He is also an active blogger and podcaster for several organizations, including the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI), Harvard Medical School CME Online, and BackTable Innovations. He has been featured in the news and print for media outlets such as USA Today, Businesswire, The Washington Post, Nature Medicine, Fox News, and KevinMD. He was also the Vice President, Medical Director of a medical video game company, Level Ex from 2018 to 2023 that utilized game technology and psychology to create interactive experiences for healthcare professionals. | He is recognized as an expert on the implementation of educational technologies and gaming with a foundation in educational theory for health professions education. He was honored to be inducted as an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and as an Associate Fellow of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Hoarse voice
Shortness of breath
Have wheezing
Cough
Loss of voice
Difficulty breathing
Wheezing when breathing
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
How Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Vocal Cord Paralysis quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Whistling when I breathe
- Respiratory wheeze
- Loud breathing
- Stridor
- Shortness of breath when lying down
- Sore throat
- Breathing out is easy but breathing in is difficult
- Scratchy throat
- Wake up in the middle of the night with shortness of breath
- Throat pain
- Feeling that I am suffocating and will die from the breathlessness
- Shortness of breath in the morning
- Throat hurts to swallow
- Short of breath because of rapid breathing
- Itchy throat cough
See full list
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizWhat is Vocal Cord Paralysis?
A condition in which the nerves that supply the vocal cords are damaged, causing poor movement (paresis) or complete absence of movement (paralysis). If presenting in infancy, it can be either due to conditions affecting the brain or brainstem where the nerves exit the skull or due to surgery on the heart or lesions in the chest. Surgery on the neck, especially the thyroid gland, can also damage the nerves. Viral infections and intubation can also cause injury to the vocal folds or nerves.
Typical Symptoms of Vocal Cord Paralysis
- Noisy breathing; e.g. wheezing, rattling
- Voice is softer than usual
- Have been under general anesthesia for a surgery within the last 6 months
- Feeling breathless
- Hoarse voice
- Choking while eating
- Cough
- Difficulty swallowing food or water
Diagnostic Questions for Vocal Cord Paralysis
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Is your breathing noisy, like wheezing or rattling?
- Is your voice quiet, making it difficult to speak loudly?
- Have you had general anesthesia in the last 6 months?
- Are you having difficulty breathing?
- Is your voice hoarse?
Treatment of Vocal Cord Paralysis
This condition can sometimes be treated with voice therapy and training or just time. However, in some cases, surgery or injections may be needed. If both vocal cords are paralyzed, there can be difficulty breathing, and emergency medical care might be needed.
Think you might have
Vocal Cord Paralysis?
Try a symptom check testSymptoms Related to Vocal Cord Paralysis
Diseases Related to Vocal Cord Paralysis
References
Grundfast KM, Harley E. Vocal cord paralysis. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 1989 Jun;22(3):569-97. PMID: 2657584.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2657584/Hamdan AL, Moukarbel RV, Farhat F, Obeid M. Vocal cord paralysis after open-heart surgery. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2002 Apr;21(4):671-4. doi: 10.1016/s1010-7940(02)00019-2. PMID: 11932166.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11932166/Chen EY, Inglis AF Jr. Bilateral vocal cord paralysis in children. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2008 Oct;41(5):889-901, viii. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2008.04.003. PMID: 18775340.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18775340/
What People Say about Ubie?
Male, 30s
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(Sep 29, 2024)
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My experience was great. I was worried, but the symptom checker helped me narrow down what it might be. I feel a little relieved compared to when I first started, and it gives me a starting point for what my symptoms could mean.
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The questions asked and possible causes seemed spot on, putting me at ease for a next-step solution.
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Female, 40s
I was actually very impressed with the results it provided because, although I didn’t mention it during the questionnaire because I thought it was unrelated, it suggested I may have something I’ve actually been diagnosed with in the past.
(Sep 25, 2024)
Reviewed By:
Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Northwell Health and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He holds a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Medical Education with a special focus on educational technology, educational research, and game-based learning from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He has a special interest in faculty development and has been a speaker or faculty at hundreds of local, national, and international courses and conferences. He is also an active blogger and podcaster for several organizations, including the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI), Harvard Medical School CME Online, and BackTable Innovations. He has been featured in the news and print for media outlets such as USA Today, Businesswire, The Washington Post, Nature Medicine, Fox News, and KevinMD. He was also the Vice President, Medical Director of a medical video game company, Level Ex from 2018 to 2023 that utilized game technology and psychology to create interactive experiences for healthcare professionals. | He is recognized as an expert on the implementation of educational technologies and gaming with a foundation in educational theory for health professions education. He was honored to be inducted as an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and as an Associate Fellow of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
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Vocal Cord Paralysis?
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1