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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Your vocal cords are two flexible bands of muscle tissue that sit at the entrance to the windpipe (trachea). When you speak, the bands come together and vibrate to make sound. The rest of the time, the vocal cords are relaxed in an open position, so you can breathe.
In most cases of vocal cord paralysis, only one vocal cord is paralyzed. If the vocal cord is paralyzed in a closed position, it reduces airflow into the lungs. If it's paralyzed in the open position, your voice may be breathy, hoarse or weak.
Depending on the paralyzed position of the vocal cord, signs and symptoms may include:
- A breathy quality to the voice
- Hoarseness
- Choking or coughing while swallowing food, drink or saliva
- The need to take frequent breaths while speaking
- Inability to speak loudly
- Inability to "bear down" while lifting
- Ineffective coughing
If both of your vocal cords are affected, you may experience the signs and symptoms above, as well as significant problems with breathing.
