Laryngospasm

Laryngospasm is a rare condition in which your vocal cords suddenly become very tight. They block your airway so you can’t breathe or speak for about 20 seconds. It rarely causes serious issues. But even a brief encounter with the condition can be a scary experience.

Symptoms of laryngospasm

The most common symptom is not being able to breathe. Other symptoms include:

• Choking sensation
• Coughing
• High-pitched whistling sound
• Hoarseness
• Not being able to speak

Laryngospasm causes

This condition may happen for no reason. But certain conditions and situations can cause your vocal cords to seize up. Those include:

• Asthma: You may experience laryngospasm if you inhale dirty air or need to take deep, fast breaths after exercise.
• GERD: This condition may trigger laryngospasm if stomach acid or undigested food backs up in your esophagus and touches your vocal cords.
• Laryngeal hypersensitivity: Breathing cold air, coughing, eating certain foods or smelling strong scents can trigger this condition.
• Stress or anxiety disorders: Laryngospasm may be your body’s physical reaction to stressful situations or anxiety.
• Sleep-related laryngospasm: You may wake up gasping for air. Acid reflux or issues with your vocal cords may cause it.
• Reaction to general anesthesia: Anesthesia may irritate your vocal cords and trigger laryngospasm. It can happen when a healthcare provider removes the nose or throat tubes that deliver oxygen during surgery

Complications

Laryngospasm related to anesthesia may be life-threatening. Your surgical team will immediately take steps to relax your vocal cords.

How doctors diagnose this condition

A healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms, including how often you experience laryngospasm. They’ll review your health history to learn if you have a condition that can trigger it. They may use an endoscope — a thin, flexible, lighted tube — to check your vocal cords.

How is laryngospasm treated?

Your treatment will depend on the cause. For example, if GERD triggers this condition, treating it may help. But there are also steps you can take to stop the spasm:

• Stay calm: Gasping for air may make it worse.
• Press on your laryngospasm notch: The notch is the soft spot behind your earlobes and just above your jaw. Pressing down and inward on the notch helps your vocal cords relax.
• Breathe through a straw: This slows down your breathing and lets your vocal cords relax. Remember to breathe in and out without stopping, and don’t take in air through your nose.
• Pace your breathing: Slowly breathe in through your nose. Tighten your lips and slowly exhale. Hold your breath for five seconds and then repeat the process until your vocal cords relax.
• Take small sips of water: This can help if vocal cord irritation causes a spasm.

When should I seek care?

Talk to a healthcare provider if you frequently have this condition. You may have a health issue that makes your vocal cords tighten. They may be able to treat the underlying condition.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you still can’t breathe or speak when pressure on your laryngospasm notch or breathing exercises don’t help.

Is there a cure for laryngospasm?

There’s no single treatment or therapy to keep your vocal cords from going into a spasm. Getting treatment for any underlying cause may reduce how often you have a spasm.

What’s the difference between laryngospasm and bronchospasm?

Both conditions cause sudden spasms, so you can’t breathe and/or speak. Laryngospasms affect your vocal cords. Bronchospasms affect the airways that connect your windpipe to your lungs.