Singer Shekhar Ravjiani 'Lost His Voice' To Vocal Cord Paresis: Life-Threatening Condition Explained

Singer and music director Shekhar Ravjiani opened up about his health issues and revealed that he had lost his voice two years ago. He said that he feared that he would not be able to sing again but his doctor helped him recover from the medical setback. According to Shekhar, one-half of the duo composer Vishal-Shekhar, he was diagnosed with Vocal Cord Paresis, which affected his left vocal chord and left him "voiceless". Let's know what this condition is and how it affects individuals.

What is vocal fold paralysis or vocal cord paresis?

Vocal fold paralysis (also known as vocal cord paralysis) is a voice disorder that occurs when one or both vocal folds don't open or close properly. Single vocal fold paralysis, which Shekhar was diagnosed with, is a common disorder. Paralysis of both vocal folds is rare and can be life-threatening.

How does vocal cord paralysis pose a threat to the lungs?

When you use your voice air from the lungs causes your vocal chords or folds to vibrate between open and closed positions. If you have vocal fold paralysis, the paralyzed fold or folds may remain open, leaving the air passages and lungs unprotected. One could have difficulty swallowing or food or liquids could accidentally enter the trachea and lungs, causing serious health problems.

What causes vocal fold paralysis?

According to National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), vocal fold paresis may be caused by injury to the head, neck, or chest; lung or thyroid cancer; tumours of the skull base, neck, or chest; or infection (for example, Lyme disease). People with certain neurologic conditions such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease, or who have sustained a stroke, may experience vocal fold paralysis. In some cases, however, the cause is unknown.

What are the symptoms?

• Symptoms of vocal fold paralysis include:
• Changes in the voice, such as hoarseness or a breathy voice
• Difficulties with breathing, such as shortness of breath or noisy breathing
• Swallowing problems, such as choking or coughing when you eat because food is accidentally entering the windpipe instead of the food pipe.
• Changes in voice quality, such as loss of volume or pitch, also may occur.
• Damage to both vocal folds, although rare, usually causes serious problems with breathing.
• How is vocal fold paresis treated?