Im having problems swallowing and speaking long after surgery. What advice do you offer to help improve my problems?
Over a period of 10 yrs., I’ve had 3 long cervical and 1 long lumbar spinal fusion. My voice has changed; sounds rasping when I’m tired; I have problems swallowing; learned to Heimlich myself when food gets stuck, and even have sudden muscle spasms trying to swallow saliva and think I’m going to choke to death. One surgeon said all the tubes put in during surgery could affect vocal chords, muscles, and nerves. What advice or help is there to relieve these problems? Does any of this also cause me to slur my words when I’m tired? I’d truly appreciate your insight. Many thanks. A 13: I’m sorry to hear of your difficulties. Recent studies are showing that endotracheal intubation – that is, the insertion of a plastic breathing tube into the windpipe – can cause minor damage to the vocal cords in a surprisingly high number of patients. This can occur even when the intubation is performed by an expert and appears to go absolutely smoothly. When the larynx (voice box) is examined with special
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