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Advances in the Treatment of Voice Disorders

Recorded on 12/23/2007

PROGRAM DETAILS:

Is having a rough and scratchy throat after cheering on your team cause for concern? When could hoarseness in your voice or constant throat clearing be a sign of something more? In this Patient Power program, Dr. Albert Merati, chief of Laryngology Service in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Washington Medical Center, joins Andrew to discuss voice disorders. You’ll hear about the difference between simple overuse and potentially serious problems of the voice that require attention and treatment by a specialist.

Dr. Merati defines many disorders of the vocal cords including laryngitis and nodules, as well as how these conditions are treated. He also talks about the importance of proper diagnosis and the techniques and imaging tools currently used to understand vocal cord problems. Dr. Merati goes into detail about the effects of acid reflux on your vocal cords, what chronic throat clearing can mean and the negative effects smoking can have on your voice and your throat. He explains what symptoms to watch out for, when to worry about a hoarse voice and the early warning signs of throat cancer.

Dr. Merati also goes into detail about the preservation of vocal function and the importance of not overusing or misusing your voice. He gives tips and hints for how to take care of your voice, which include avoiding irritants such as alcohol, caffeine and tobacco as well as the importance of staying hydrated. Dr. Merati also discusses voice disorders in children, stridor or noisy breathing, and the importance of seeking a specialist if you have voice problems. If you suffer from chronic hoarseness, acid reflux or fear you may have a voice disorder, this program will provide you with valuable information to take with you to the doctor.

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EXPERTS & GUESTS:
Albert Merati, M.D. Albert Merati, M.D.
Chief of Laryngology Service, Department of Otolaryngology, UW Medicine
Dr. Merati is chief of the University of Washington Medical Center’s Laryngology Service in the Department of Otolaryngology. His areas of expertise include care of professional voice, swallowing dysfunction, airway diseases and vocal fold paralysis. Dr. Merati received his medical degree from the University of Washington in Seattle and completed residency training at the University of of California at San... more >

TRANSCRIPT:

  1. Introduction
  2. What Happens When You Damage Your Vocal Cords
  3. What is Laryngitis and How Do You Treat It?
  4. Treating Nodules on the Vocal Cords
  5. Techniques and Imaging for Diagnosing Voice Disorders
  6. The Effect of Acid Reflux on Your Voice
  7. Chronic Throat Clearing
  8. The Negative Effects of Smoking on the Esophagus
  9. Surgery to Correct a Heavy Voice
  10. Common Voice Disorders in Children
  11. Problems Associated with Stridor or Noisy Breathing
  12. Early Warning Signs of Cancer
  13. When to See a Specialist

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