Choose Location

We provide care in three easily-accessible locations across the Rio Grande Valley.

Weslaco

1604 East 8th St., Suite A
Weslaco, TX
Phone: (956) 447-5557

McAllen

5300 North McColl Rd., Suite 100
McAllen, TX
Phone: (956) 630-1000

Mission

1022 E. Griffin Pkwy.
Mission, TX 78572
Phone: (956) 833-6000

Pulmonary

Vocal Cord Dysfunction

Normally, when you breathe in, your vocal cords open and allow air to go into your lungs. When you breathe out your vocal cords open and let the air out of your lungs. Vocal Cord Dysfunction occurs when the vocal cords are closing abnormally during breathing.

How Do You Know If You Have Vocal Cord Dysfunction?

Vocal Cord Dysfunction is often misdiagnosed as asthma. And, though patients often get enough oxygen with VCD, the feeling of not being able to breathe can be distressing.

If you are experiencing symptoms of VCD, you can consult a professional for an evaluation. Often, this evaluation will include certain tests, such as a flow-volume loop. This test examines the flow of air while you breathe. Patients with VCD often experience a flat flow of air when inhaling, due to the closing of the vocal cords. Your doctor may also conduct a laryngoscopy (A camera on a tube that is used to look down your airway) to see what your vocal cords are doing while you breathe in and out and speak.

Vocal Cord Dysfunction Treatment

The Pulmonary and Sleep Center of the Valley is here to help you breathe easier. We’ll help you find and understand treatment options that are right for your experience with VCD.

There are a number of treatment options available for VCD. These include identifying the trigger for VCD episodes (e.g. Acid reflux) and treating that trigger and undergoing speech therapy to teach you how to keep your vocal cords more open.