Upper Airway Disorders: Dysfunctional Breathing, Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (ILO), Laryngeal Hypersensitivity
For the past 15 20 years Speech Pathologists have been successfully helping people with upper airway disorders including inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO), dysfunctional breathing, chronic refractory cough, and annoying throat symptoms. There have been great advances in the last 20 years in understanding upper airway disorders and terminology such as irritable larynx syndrome (ILS)’, post viral vagal neuropathy and laryngeal sensory dysfunction is evolving as research continues.
People may seek treatment for persistent irritating sensations in the throat – such as a lump in the throat (globus), chronic cough or throat clear, throat irritation, tightness or burning.
Symptoms of ILO may include the feeling that you can’t breathe in, as the vocal folds close instead of opening on inhalation. This condition used to be known as Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement (PVFM), Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) or laryngospasm. The terminology continues to be upgraded as more is understood about this previously misunderstood condition which has been misdiagnosed as asthma in many people.
Treatment for chronic cough/ throat clear and Inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO), can be highly effective and results achieved with an average of 1- 3 sessions.
Dysfunctional breathing commonly accompanies many of these conditions and respiratory retraining therapy is core to treatment.
If clinically indicated, Carmel may draw on her additional training in hands-on myofascial release techniques or teaching yoga breathing and stress management when managing these conditions.
Making sure your whole system is adequately hydrated (about 2 litres of non-caffeinated fluid daily ) is an important foundation for reducing irritation in the larynx.