Can You Prevent an Ear Infection?
Anyone can get an ear infection, but this painful problem is especially common in children. And, for some kids, they can become a chronic issue. Learn more about this pesky problem and how to keep them at bay.
What’s Causing My Throat Polyp?
No one wants to live with a hoarse, scratchy voice, especially if it involves neck pain. But, if your symptoms develop because of a throat polyp, there are numerous solutions to get you back to normal again.
Dr. Vandana Kumra has spent more than 15 years delivering patient-centric ear, nose, and throat care to people in New York City. She can diagnose throat polyps during a throat and voice evaluation and outline an effective treatment plan to help you reclaim your voice again.
Do you have throat polyps? Here’s what you need to know about this common condition.
Throat polyp basics
When you have a throat polyp, a growth develops in one of your vocal cords.
Hearing the word “growth” can be scary, but the good news is that vocal cord polyps are noncancerous. Instead, they’re swollen areas, like a soft bump or a blister, that form in the soft folds within your voice box.
Each time you speak, air moves through these vocal folds from your lungs to your mouth, vibrating to create sound. When you have a growth like a polyp, it makes it harder for your vocal cords to vibrate, leading to voice problems.
Common signs of vocal cord polyps include:
- A harsh, rough, scratchy, breathy, or hoarse voice
- Feeling as if there is a lump in your throat
- Difficulty changing your pitch
- Limited singing range, especially in higher registers
- Shooting pain from ear to ear
- Neck pain
Vocal cord polyps can also leave you feeling tired, both in body and voice.
Common causes of throat polyps
Vocal cord polyps can vary in size and shape, and they can occur in one or both folds. However, many polyps arise for the same reason: overusing or misusing your voice. These activities range from professional singing and teaching to coaching, cheerleading, and sales. But you can even develop throat polyps from one-time events, like screaming excessively during a big game or concert.
Additional causes of vocal cord polyps include:
- Muscle tension while speaking
- Sinusitis
- Allergies
- Smoking, caffeine, or alcohol use
And, in rare cases, vocal cord polyps develop because of hypothyroidism or other thyroid disorders.
Diagnosing and treating throat polyps
As a skilled ENT, Dr. Kumra can diagnose vocal cord polyps during the throat and voice evaluation. These assessments take place at her office and use special diagnostic techniques to identify issues affecting your voice or ability to swallow.
After reaching a diagnosis, Dr. Kumra could suggest several strategies to treat your vocal cord polyps, such as:
- Resting your voice
- Avoiding the behaviors that caused your condition
- Medication
- Voice or singing voice therapy
In some cases, Dr. Kumra could also recommend surgically removing the polyp from your vocal cord. She can usually perform this procedure using minimally invasive techniques and special tools that allow her to access the polyp through your throat or nose — no incisions required.
Has your throat been hoarse for more than 2-3 weeks? Don’t wait to find answers. Schedule a throat and voice evaluation with Vandana Kumra, MD, by calling our office at 646-859-6136 or booking online today.
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