Voice/swallowing disorders

Have you recently developed issues with speaking or swallowing? If you are concerned about pain or difficultly with these functions, Douglas Anderson, MD of Utah can diagnose your condition with a variety of procedures, including a video laryngeal stroboscopy and fiber-optic endoscopic swallowing evaluation.

Voice Disorders

Voice disorders occur when an underlying condition affects the vocal cords, a key component of speech. Some of these conditions include vocal cord polyps, spasmodic dysphonia, cancerous lesions, leukoplakia, and laryngitis. To diagnose one of these conditions, Douglas Anderson, MD uses a video laryngeal stroboscopy test.

• Video laryngeal stroboscopy: This specialized test allows your doctor to observe the movement and vibration of your vocal cords during sound production. During this procedure, a stroboscope (a light-emitting tool) will take pictures of the vocal cords as they move through the various cycles of sound production. From here, your doctor can analyze this series of pictures to determine what is causing the voice disorder.

Swallowing Disorders

Many conditions can cause a swallowing disorder, including foreign bodies lodged in the throat, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), tumors in the esophagus, muscle spasms, or damage from previous radiation therapy. Patients with various neurological disorders can also experience difficulty swallowing, especially those with multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease. One of the most common tests used to diagnose a swallowing disorder is a fiber-optic endoscopic swallowing evaluation (FEES).

• FEES: During this procedure, the doctor will use a flexible tube with an attached camera, called an endoscope, to view the movement of the esophagus, larynx, and pharynx as you swallow food or liquid with added dye (to make it more visible). This test can help identify an underlying condition which may be causing the swallowing disorder.

If you believe your condition is a voice or swallowing disorder, it is important to see a qualified ENT specialist in Ogden right away. To schedule your appointment with Douglas Anderson, MD, contact our office today.