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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
respiratory muscles
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respiratory muscles
by Midsummer3, Mar 14, 2006 12:00AM
Test results 3 years ago, PImax 11.6,Poes 39.3, SNIP 15, PEmax 45.8, Pgas 97.3, Sniff Pdi 51.2.
I have no airflow during speech due to spasms and I cannot sing either.
Vocal cord examinations over the past 7 years have varied from spasm to paradoxical movement during speech and quiet breathing.
I am in constant pain in my ancillary breathing muscles.
Struggling for so long with a restricted airflow is causing problems in other areas of my body.
I was sent to a hyperventilation clinic. That is a physical impossibility with the breathing pattern I have as they discovered.
I was told this was respiratory dystonia by the ENT. I saw a neurologist who tried 2 medications with no success and then discharged me.
It has been 3 years since I saw a pulmonary doctor. I just do not know where to go for help. Not only is this painful it is exhausting. My HB and red blood cell count has recently dropped into the abnormal range.
I have no airflow during speech due to spasms and I cannot sing either.
Vocal cord examinations over the past 7 years have varied from spasm to paradoxical movement during speech and quiet breathing.
I am in constant pain in my ancillary breathing muscles.
Struggling for so long with a restricted airflow is causing problems in other areas of my body.
I was sent to a hyperventilation clinic. That is a physical impossibility with the breathing pattern I have as they discovered.
I was told this was respiratory dystonia by the ENT. I saw a neurologist who tried 2 medications with no success and then discharged me.
It has been 3 years since I saw a pulmonary doctor. I just do not know where to go for help. Not only is this painful it is exhausting. My HB and red blood cell count has recently dropped into the abnormal range.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Mar 24, 2006 12:00AM
, Mar 24, 2006 12:00AM
Respiratory muscle dystonia could involve the diaphragm and/or the accessory muscles used for breathing. Laryngeal dystonia is also called spasmodic dysphonia. This is a voice disorder caused by spasms of the muscles of the larynx or voice box. The abductor muscles, the adductor muscles or both may be affected.
Spasms of the abductor muscles cause the vocal cords to open. When the vocal cords are open they cannot vibrate to speak, but air can escape from the lungs while trying to speak. This causes the voice to be weak, quiet and breathy or whispery.
Spasms of the adductor muscles cause the vocal cords to close together and stiffen. When the vocal cords are closed it is difficult for them to vibrate to speak. This causes the voice to beak often with words being cut off or difficult to start similar to stuttering. The voice may have a tight, strained or strangled quality that is full of effort.
Speech therapy can help with breathing retraining so that you can once again resume diaphragmatic breathing and coordinate this with activity including speaking. Along with speech therapy periodic injections of Botox® (botulinum toxin) may be helpful to partially and temporarily paralyze these muscles of the voice box.
Spasms of the abductor muscles cause the vocal cords to open. When the vocal cords are open they cannot vibrate to speak, but air can escape from the lungs while trying to speak. This causes the voice to be weak, quiet and breathy or whispery.
Spasms of the adductor muscles cause the vocal cords to close together and stiffen. When the vocal cords are closed it is difficult for them to vibrate to speak. This causes the voice to beak often with words being cut off or difficult to start similar to stuttering. The voice may have a tight, strained or strangled quality that is full of effort.
Speech therapy can help with breathing retraining so that you can once again resume diaphragmatic breathing and coordinate this with activity including speaking. Along with speech therapy periodic injections of Botox® (botulinum toxin) may be helpful to partially and temporarily paralyze these muscles of the voice box.
Member Comments (2)
by Midsummer3, Mar 14, 2006 12:00AM
To: Doctor
I forgot to also mention that when I exercise my body gets colder and colder and I do not sweat.
