Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) is a health issue that affects the ability of the individual to speak or perform other vocal tasks normally. Some examples include hoarseness or situations in which a great deal of pain is felt in the throat and general area of the vocal cords when attempting to speak. The root cause of this type of disorder has to do with the improper function of the muscles in the throat and around the vocal cords.
Prolonged periods of stress and strain on the muscles used to produce sounds are normally the origin of this type of dysphonia. In some situations, the muscle tension causes the strained muscles around the voice box to tighten to a point that a great deal of pain is experienced while speaking. In addition, the effort to talk may cause fatigue. Over time, the quality of the voice will also suffer, often becoming raspy and rough.
There are several signs that muscle tension dysphonia is developing. People who sing may find that some notes that once came very easily are now out of range. The voice begins to cut out in the middle of a normal conversation. A constant sense of pain in the throat often develops whenever the individual tries to speak, and the neck may become very sore and extremely tender to the touch.
In order to overcome muscle tension dysphonia, it is important for the individual to seek medical help immediately. A healthcare professional can examine the throat and vocal cords to determine if there is any underlying health issue causing the distress. If none is found, several tools can be used to help relieve the throat tension and begin to relax the tense muscles. Medication to help ease the inflammation caused by the muscle constriction is often a good first step.
Resting the vocal cords for at least a few hours a day may also be recommended. The rest will help give the tense muscles time to begin relaxing, and the inflammation that occurred as a result of the constricting action of the muscle tension to subside. Combining rest periods with medication can often help clear up the condition in as little as a week.
In addition, the medical professional may recommend that the patient see a speech therapist. Undergoing speech therapy can address the vocal habits that helped to develop the dysphonia initially, and help retrain the individual to make use of the vocal cords in a manner that will minimize the chances of a recurrence. With proper care and rest, it is possible to regain the normal tone and tenor of the voice, and eliminate the presence of any throat pain while speaking.
