Spring Festival Greetings - Increased Cases of Vocal Cord Diseases Due to More Gatherings... Importance of Early Management and Treatment

[USER PARABOLA, Medical Specialist Reporter Lee Soon-yong] As the Lunar New Year, the biggest holiday of the nation, approaches, more patients are reporting changes in their voices due to increased family gatherings and visits to relatives. This is because during the end-of-year period and the following holidays, there are many gatherings, banquets, and karaoke sessions, leading to excessive use of the vocal cords by speaking or singing loudly.

Especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face meetings have become active again after a long time, leading to more situations where the throat is overused compared to before. As a result, there is a growing trend of patients suffering from voice disorders such as vocal cord nodules and polyps. According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, more than 40,000 people receive treatment each year for polyps and nodules in the larynx and vocal cords, and approximately 6,000 patients undergo surgical treatment.

Ear, nose, and throat specialists emphasize that a hoarse voice lasting more than two weeks may be a sign of a laryngeal disease rather than simple fatigue or residual effects of a cold, and thus requires attention. Dr. Ko Woon-mok, head of the Clear Voice Center at Bae Won-yeong ENT Hospital, said, "The larynx is located deep inside the body, making it difficult to check with the naked eye. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately observe the vibration condition of the mucous membrane through endoscopy or laryngostroboscopy." He added, "If hoarseness, dryness, or a foreign body sensation in the throat persists for more than two weeks, it is recommended to seek professional diagnosis."

Vocal cord nodules are small growths that occur on the front part of both vocal cords due to excessive friction. They are common among professionals who frequently use their voices, such as teachers, singers, voice actors, broadcasters, and call center operators. In the early stages, they can often be recovered through rest and voice therapy, but if left untreated, the condition of the vocal cord mucosa may worsen, potentially requiring surgery.

The basic treatment for vocal cord disorders is to first stabilize the throat, and it is important to avoid irritating foods, excessive drinking, and smoking. By maintaining sufficient fluid intake, regular voice habits, and proper breathing techniques, it is possible to maintain vocal cord health. However, if there are limitations in treatment due to occupational characteristics or recurrence, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Conventional microsurgery of the larynx uses a rigid endoscope under general anesthesia to remove lesions, but there were risks of mucosal injury, bleeding, and recurrence. Therefore, recently, vocal cord injection and KTP laser surgery have gained attention as new treatment methods that minimize damage to the normal vocal cord mucosa and can be performed with local anesthesia.

"KTP laser is a vascular selective laser that precisely removes abnormal blood vessels in the affected area, preserving normal tissue as much as possible," said Dr. Baek. "It can be applied with local anesthesia, reducing the patient's burden, and recovery after surgery is quick." Additionally, "it has excellent hemostatic effects with minimal bleeding, allowing for rapid voice recovery, and patients in occupations requiring frequent voice use can return to work earlier," he added.

He also urged, "Most vocal cord diseases can be improved with medication and voice therapy in the early stages," and "Avoid behaviors that strain the throat, such as excessive drinking, loud talking, and frequent greetings during holidays like the Lunar New Year. If hoarseness or throat pain persists for more than two weeks, it is essential to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist."

The holiday period is also a time when people meet with family and acquaintances more often, leading to more emotional expressions and conversations. However, repeatedly forcing your voice and drinking frequently while ignoring throat fatigue can cause cumulative minor damage to the vocal cords, potentially leading to chronic voice disorders. It is important not to forget that proper vocal hygiene and early professional treatment are the first steps in maintaining a healthy voice.

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