tracheal spasms

I need some info on tracheal spasms. There is no disease process, no trauma and no history of injury. There is a tightening of the trachea, onset quite sudden, with some
wheezing noted. The pt does not have any idea what precipitates the attack. It has happened in the middle of a dead sleep and in the middle of a relaxing afternoon. The pt is not sick, is extremely conscious of her health, not over weight, exercises regularly and is a vegetarian. Pt states she does not have allergies to animals or pollens or meds. Pt does not take any meds except multi-vits and protein shakes in the am with fresh fruit.
The pt is able to think herself through the attack, making herself relax until the spasms ceases. The attacks last a few minutes and go away as quickly as they appeared.
Any information you could give me would be a great help. thanks

[National Jewish]

The diagnosis most commonly associated with the symptoms you have described is called Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD). It can happen to healthy people, is not related to allergy, and is found more in females than males. The best approach to this problem is to make the diagnosis and treat the problem. A simple pulmonary function test can be of great help in this process. I would suggest speaking with the doctor about the problem and making the diagnosis.
For further information, please read our Vocal Cord Dysfunction MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/vocal.html.  You are welcome to share this information with your doctor.

[Concerned lady]

Dear Baileywins,

My husband and I were each diagnosed with VCD, several years ago, by the expert and kind docs at National Jewish Hospital. They helped us to be able to stop each VCD attack, using Speech Therapy, along with Abdominal Breathing techniques.

Nat'l Jewish Hospital is most expert at diagnosing VCD, asthma, sleep apnea, auto-immune diseases, etc. They have several methods of treatment for VCD, depending on each patient's case.

After we were able to stop each VCD attack, we needed to figure out all our underlying causes of our VCD. In our cases, sinus problems and a form of gastric reflux were factors. Other VCD patients have these &/or other factors, (like asthma, sleep apnea, irritants, indoor air pollution, and many other possible factors, etc.), contributing to their VCD.

Once we worked on controlling our underlying causes, our VCD attacks stopped happening.

I created a website about VCD, that includes links to National Jewish Hospital's website. If you would like to compare notes, you can email me at ***@****

I hope you get correctly diagnosed soon, so that you will have treatment choices.

Sincerely, Concerned lady

[IBSOB]

A related discussion, What's next when no meds stop cough or SOB was started.