Options for addressing laryngeal hypersensitivity :)
Do you have a continuous, irresistible urge to cough or clear your throat, even when you're not sick? Or, do you have odd sensations and even pain in your throat with no obvious cause? Maybe you've been told your lungs are clear, your reflux is under control, and your allergies aren't severe enough to explain your symptoms, yet the symptoms continue.
One possible explanation is a condition called “neurolaryngeal hypersensitivity” (NLH). NLH is an umbrella term that encompasses the following conditions:
Chronic cough (refractory or idiopathic)
Throat clearing
Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD)
Paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM)
Shortness of breath
Laryngospasm
Laryngeal pain (and other sensations: burning, tickling, pressure, etc.)
What Is Neurolaryngeal Hypersensitivity?
Let's break down the term:
Neuro = the nervous system and brain
Laryngeal = the larynx, also known as the voice box
Hypersensitivity = a heightened reaction to something that shouldn’t necessarily trigger a response
In people with neurolaryngeal hypersensitivity, the nerve that feeds into the throat and voice box (vagus nerve) becomes overly sensitive and creates danger signals in the brain that don’t actually need to be there. The body learns to interpret benign sensations in the throat that are even sometimes referred from the esophagus or ear, as a threat to the airway. That danger signal then triggers us to cough or throat clear, and/or creates uncomfortable sensations (even pain). Think of it like a smoke detector that has become too sensitive and starts going off when there's burnt toast instead of a real fire.
As a result, everyday activities and environmental exposures can trigger different sensations in the throat that lead to coughing and throat clearing.
Here are some educational videos to explain the condition and offer solutions.
Second video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g4\_iIqxv-R7NFQxjb71FklSqiHFkv7fv/view?usp=drivesdk