The ENT speech and language therapy team provides care for patients with a disorders of the upper airway.
What are upper airway disorders?
Upper airway disorders affect the co-ordination of muscles in the larynx (voice box/throat). They can occur independently, or co-exist with lower respiratory disease – for example, asthma, COPD or bronchiectasis.
Upper airway disorders are thought to result from a heightened sensitivity or awareness in the throat with hyperactivity of the throat muscles. This can result in the vocal cords shutting or constricting unnecessarily.
Upper Airway Disorders include:
- Inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO, previously known as vocal cord dysfunction): A choking sensation/wheeze (typically when breathing in) caused by throat muscles squeezing together and obstructing airflow in the throat.
- Chronic cough: Dry coughing bouts which persist for longer than eight weeks and do not respond to medication.
- Throat clearing: Often in response to an irritation in the throat that will not clear.
- Globus pharyngeous: Lump sensation in the throat in the absence of a physical lump.
- Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia): Dysphagia or pseudodysphagia, often associated with altered laryngeal sensitivity.
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (rcslt.org)
Assessment of upper airway disorders
During assessment, we will ask patients for information about their medical history, throat health and the impact of their upper airway symptoms. Assessment may include continuous laryngeal endoscopy with provocation.
Treatment of upper airway disorders
Treatment is centred on individual needs. The aim of treatment is to improve a patient’s control over their upper airway symptoms, as well as to address co-morbidities, so other health factors that may contribute to upper airway symptoms.
Treatments include:
- Education and advice to help you better understand your disorder and treat the different contributing factors to your symptoms, this includes throat care
- Symptom control techniques
- Psychological and emotional support
Our main aim is to help patients achieve the best possible function in order to allow them to continue with their daily activities to the best of their ability. We aim to enable patients to manage their symptoms themselves.
Contact
Contact telephone number: 0191 2137635 (Option 3)
