Vocal cord dysfunction: Is it a type of asthma?

Both asthma and vocal cord dysfunction can make breathing difficult. Signs and symptoms of either condition can include coughing, wheezing, throat tightness and hoarseness, but they’re two separate disorders.

Vocal cord dysfunction is the abnormal closing of the vocal cords when you breathe in or out. It’s also called laryngeal dysfunction, paradoxical vocal cord movement disorder or paradoxical vocal fold motion. Like asthma, vocal cord dysfunction can be triggered by breathing in lung irritants, having an upper respiratory infection or exercising. However, unlike asthma, vocal cord dysfunction isn’t an immune system reaction and doesn’t involve the lower airways. Treatment for the two conditions also is different.

Your doctor may suspect vocal cord dysfunction rather than asthma if:

• It’s harder to breathe in than breathe out when symptoms flare up.
• Asthma medications don’t seem to ease your symptoms.

Because they have similar triggers and symptoms, it’s common for vocal cord dysfunction to be misdiagnosed as asthma. This can lead to use of asthma medications that don’t help and cause side effects. Some people have both vocal cord dysfunction and asthma, and require treatment for both conditions.

Treatment for vocal cord dysfunction may involve special breathing exercises called panting maneuvers, speech therapy, biofeedback and avoidance of irritants.