How to Treat Throat Polyps
Throat polyps are often referred to as vocal polyps because the majority of these growths are located on the vocal cords. The polyps look like small blisters in the back of the throat; most people aren't even aware the polyps are there. These polyps cause breathy or hoarse-sounding voices and can be particularly troublesome for singers or those who work in business where talking is common. Prolonged cigarette smoking, gastro reflux issues and misuse or overuse of vocal chords are common causes of these polyps, which are treatable both holistically and surgically.
Instructions
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See a doctor as soon as it becomes apparent that your hoarse voice isn't going away. Hoarseness can be a sign of throat cancer, but a doctor will check to see if the polyps are benign. A doctor will diagnose the cause of the polyps, which will influence the treatment you choose. Generally, doctors use a laryngoscopy to examine the vocal cords and assess the damage. Ear, nose and throat doctors are the best to see for this examination.
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Work on releasing tension in the neck area by lightly moving the head in circles from front to back. Keep the shoulders relaxed.
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Work to relieve stressors. Sometimes stress can cause the vocal cords to remain tense, irritating the cords and leaving them more susceptible to polyps. Stress reduction techniques and relaxation exercises can help reduce the risk of polyps.
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Stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes can be an overall cause to throat polyps, and can irritate polyps already in place. If throat polyps are a recurring issue and you are a smoker, look into quitting for good.
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Cease talking for a few days or keep your voice at a whisper until polyps have gone away, especially if the polyps occurred because of vocal strain such as shouting or too much singing.
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Find a vocal therapist if these holistic methods fail to change the way you use your voice, especially if vocal strain is the cause of the problem. Chronic polyps can damage vocal cords and make a permanent raspy- or hoarse-sounding voice.
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Schedule surgery with your doctor. If the polyps are serious and do not abate on their own, surgery is the last-resort option for treatment. Vocal polyp surgery is a procedure conducted in a hospital under general anesthetic. The surgeon removes vocal polyps one at a time. Vocal therapy is required afterward to regain normal vocal use.
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Tips & Warnings
Occasionally surgery can result in permanent vocal damage. Surgery should be a last resort for treatment of vocal polyps.
References
- Photo Credit Singing girl image by Kvitchenko Lev from Fotolia.com
