Once a diagnosis of<unk>  has been confirmed by a medical professional, a specific treatment plan can be implemented. If<unk>  is secondary to an underlying condition, such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or postnasal drip, it is important to treat the primary condition as this will help control<unk>  symptoms. Conventional treatments for<unk>  are often multidisciplinary and include speech-language pathology, psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, use of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications, medical interventions, and hypnotherapy. There is no uniform approach. The information from randomized, blinded studies is limited. Behavioral approaches Speech-language pathologists provide behavioral treatment of<unk> . Speech therapy usually involves educating the client on the nature of the problem, what happens when symptoms are present, and then comparing this to what happens during normal breathing and phonation. Intervention goals target teaching a client breathing and relaxation exercises so that they can control their throat muscles and keep the airway open, allowing air to flow in and out. Breathing techniques can be taught to reduce tension in the throat, neck, and upper body and bring attention to the flow of air during respiration. Diaphragm support during breathing decreases muscle tension in the larynx. These techniques are meant to move awareness away from the act of breathing in and focus on the auditory feedback provided by the air moving in and out. Other techniques can involve breathing through a straw and panting, which widens the opening of the throat by activating the Posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle. Endoscopic feedback can also be used to show a patient what is happening when they are doing simple tasks such as taking a deep breath or speaking on an inspiration. This provides the client with visual information so that they can actually see what behaviours help to open the throat and what behaviors constrict the throat. Respiratory muscle strength training, a form of increased resistance training using a hand-held breathing device has also been reported to alleviate symptoms. Speech therapy has been found to eliminate up to 90% of ER visits in patients suffering from<unk> . Medical approaches Medical often works in conjunction with behavioral approaches. A pulmonary or ENT (otolaryngologist) specialist will screen for and address any potential underlying pathology that may be associated with<unk> . Managing GERD has also been found to relieve laryngospasm, a spasm of the vocal<unk> s that makes breathing and speaking difficult. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation can be used if a patient's vocal<unk> s adduct (close) during exhalation. Mild sedatives have also been employed to reduce anxiety as well as reduce acute symptoms of<unk> . Benzodiazepines are an example of one such treatment, though they have been linked to a risk of suppression of the respiratory drive. While Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, does not suppress respiratory drive, it has been thought to be associated with laryngospasms. For more severe<unk>  cases, physicians may inject botulinum toxin into the vocal (thyroarytenoid) muscles to weaken or decrease muscle tension. Nebulized Lignocaine can also been used in acute cases and helium-oxygen inhalation given by face mask has been used in cases of respiratory distress. Psychological approaches Psychological interventions including psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Biofeedback, and teaching self-hypnosis are also suggested to treat<unk> . Intervention is generally targeted at making the client aware of stressors that may trigger<unk>  symptoms, to implement strategies to reduce stress and anxiety, and to teach techniques for coping with their symptoms. CBT can focus on bringing awareness to negative thought patterns and help reframe them by focusing on problem solving strategies. Psychologists may also use relaxation to reduce distress when a patient is experiencing symptoms. Biofeedback can be a helpful addition to psychotherapy. The aim of Biofeedback is to educate the client on what happens to the vocal<unk> s during breathing and to help them learn to control their symptoms. Choosing an intervention strategy needs to be assessed by a multidisciplinary team and individualized therapy planned carefully, keeping the characteristics of each patient in mind.
Vocal cord dysfunction
Vocal cord paresis
Velopharyngeal insufficiency
Laryngotracheal stenosis
Pulmonary hypoplasia
Tracheomalacia
Congenital limb deformities
Tracheal agenesis