Whats the difference between vocal cord dysfunction and asthma?
Although they can have similar triggers and symptoms, vocal cord dysfunction is not the same as asthma. • With asthma, exposure to a lung irritant triggers the release of immune system chemicals that cause the airways (bronchial tubes) to tighten and produce excess mucus. • With vocal cord dysfunction, also called paradoxical vocal cord movement and laryngeal dysfunction, vocal cord muscles tighten and make breathing difficult. Unlike asthma, vocal cord dysfunction isn’t an allergic reaction and doesn’t involve the lower airways. Because they have similar triggers and symptoms, it’s common for vocal cord dysfunction to be misdiagnosed as asthma. This can lead to long-term use of asthma medications that don’t help and in some cases cause serious side effects. As with asthma, breathing in lung irritants, having an upper respiratory infection or exercising may trigger symptoms of vocal cord dysfunction. Both asthma and vocal cord dysfunction make breathing difficult and can cause coughing
