Understanding Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction
Imagine feeling breathless during exercise, struggling to catch your breath after laughing, or experiencing sudden tightness in your throat triggered by stress. This isn't asthma, but it might feel similar. It could be Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (ILO), a complex condition often misunderstood and misdiagnosed.
What is ILO?
ILO, sometimes called Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD), describes the inappropriate narrowing of the airway in the larynx (voice box) in response to specific triggers. This narrowing makes breathing difficult, leading to symptoms like:
Wheezing or whistling sounds during breathing
Difficulty inhaling or exhaling
Choking sensation
Chest tightness
Vocal changes like hoarseness
Loss of consciousness in severe cases
What Triggers It?
While individual triggers vary, common culprits include:
Exercise (often referred to as Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction, EILO)
Strong emotions like anxiety or anger
Cold air
Reflux
Inhaled irritants like perfumes or smoke
The Challenges of Diagnosis:
Diagnosing ILO can be challenging because its symptoms mimic other conditions like asthma. However, unlike asthma, medications like inhalers typically offer minimal relief for ILO. Accurate diagnosis often involves:
Detailed medical history and discussion of symptoms
Laryngoscopy – a visual examination of the vocal cords
Spirometry – a test to measure lung function
Evaluation with a skilled Speech Language Pathologist
Finding Relief:
While there's no cure for ILO, effective management strategies can significantly improve quality of life. These include:
Speech-language therapy: Techniques like breathing exercises and relaxation strategies can help control vocal cord movements and reduce episodes.
Identifying and avoiding triggers: Recognizing individual triggers and learning to manage them can minimize episodes.
Psychological support: Anxiety and stress can worsen ILO symptoms, so accessing therapy can be helpful.
Living with ILO:
For many, ILO is a lifelong condition. But with proper diagnosis, management, and support, individuals can experience significant improvement in their breathing and overall well-being.
Further Exploration:
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD): https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/national-institute-deafness-other-communication-disorders-nidcd
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): https://asha.org/
Voice Foundation: https://voicefoundation.org/
Remember: This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. If you suspect you or someone you know might have ILO, please contact Fenton Speech and Voice for personalized management strategies.
Citations:
"Inducible laryngeal obstruction: an official joint European Respiratory Society and European Laryngological Society statement." European Respiratory Journal, vol. 50, no. 3, 2016, p. 160222.
"UK consensus statement on the diagnosis of inducible laryngeal obstruction in light of the COVID‐19 pandemic." International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, vol. 24, no. 4, 2022, pp. 906-912.
"Vocal cord dysfunction/inducible laryngeal obstruction-2022 Melbourne Roundtable Report." Journal of Voice, vol. 37, no. 1, 2023, pp. 33-43.