Laryngospasm: Sudden, Terrifying Difficulty Breathing

Dr. Robert Bastian of Bastian Voice Institute explains laryngospasm with video of the larynx and a simulated attack.

Laryngospasm is a sudden, often severe attack of difficulty breathing, typically lasting between 30 and 90 seconds. Usually the individual makes a frightening noise while trying to breathe in during the episode, which they often call a "choking attack. You will hear the types of noises often made by the person experiencing laryngospasm, and see what the vocal folds are doing at the same time.

http://www.bastianvoice.com

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• laryngospasm
• Bastian
• Voice
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• robert
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• problem
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• illinois

[readinglts]

I recently had a cough. At the tail end of this cough, I found that whenever I would cough, instead of being able to take a large breath and keep coughing, I could no longer breathe. My throat just closes. For the last few days now, this has been happening. Will this pass because it's related to the cough?

[BVI03]

@readinglts Laryngospasm and sensory neuropathic cough are related entities. Laryngospasm often diminishes in frequency and duration before the cough goes completely away. Sorry for your distress, and f/u videos on treatment on the way . . .

[guest98tx]

It seems like my daughter's VCD started with GERD or acid reflux but now that the little buggers know how to paradoxially close, emotional stress can trigger them. Sometimes asthma can trigger them to where she has both.

An astute ER doctor not familiar with VCD may notice via stethoscope the constriction seems to have a higher source and suspect faking.

I believe this phenomenal can be unconsciously "faked" (but maybe not to the laryngoscope idk) as in the case of conversion disorder.

[BVI03]

Thanks for your post. Another great subject for a future video: There is great confusion in terminology among phsycians between VFD and laryngospasm. Laryngospasm is neurogenic. In contrast, IMO, VFD diagnosis should be reserved for behavioral / non-organic disorder. Clear distinction is needed between the two in order to apply the correct treatment. One doesn't want to "medicalize" VFD but to treat it behaviorally. I'd like comment more, but can't (for now)--lack of time!

[Pianissimoho]

Acute laryngospasm is quite common at the start and at the end of anaesthesia. Att these times, the normal laryngeal reflexes become accentuated. The problem occurs much more frequently in smokers, sometimes to a life-threatening extent. Smoking prior to surgery is not a good idea - ask your friendly anaesthetist! Apart from the effects on the upper respiratory tract , carbon monoxide is inhaled as part of the smoke and takes up oxygen-carrying capacity in the red blood cells.

[BVI03]

TY for this good post. To clarify: I've seen this very different "type" of laryngospasm many times, but only during emergence from anesthesia. It is managed with positive pressure ventilation and occasionally medications that relax muslces. If a patient were alone in this circumstance, would be life-threatening, but of course there are always at least 2 (usually 3 or even 4) in attendance when persons are awakening--so no worry here for those with laryngospasm as described in this video.

[MostlyMinty]

@docpopz me too, it frequently comes on while swimming due to even the smallest drop of water going down the wrong tube.. very scary indeed and the only thing that ever causes my vocal cords to release is consciously relaxing by going completely limp in the water - knowing my life depends on it!

[MostlyMinty]

Thanks so much for this video. I've had this problem on and off for 20 years and no one would tell me what it was. I went to the ER 2 days ago because of it. I was misunderstood from the get-go - triage nurse put my complaint as "sore throat" (my throat was not sore) then physician said it was anxiety and he documented "globus sensation" in the chart, which I think is unrelated? Anyway he did give me a good throat relaxation exercise which helps but I just wish people would get things right!

[SuperSandravan]

I have been diagnosed with laryngospasm and would like to have seen more on what can been done for it...

[mbd108]

A very informative video,so thanks for this. Maybe some suggested solutions to the different types of Laryngospasm would be even better. I have suffered from this problem for 13 problem and recently had my second treatment with BOTOX (injected into the laryngeal folds) 1 week after my operation I am still waiting for any improvement. I'll keep you posted.

[mariepotterhere]

This is exactly what I experience. Worse with a cold, even a small amount of nasal drip triggers it. It an also happen spasmotically by swalling a tiny amount of spit. It is terrifying and yes, each time I think this will be my last and I will die. If I tilt my head slightly back and up it helps. I can also drool and my eyes water while gasping for air (it feels like a thread of air can pass through). cool air helps - if it feels warm I feel more constricted. All the best to those who suffer.

[anonymous812]

@uatriathlete69 Hey This same thing happened to me today while surfing around head and a half high dropped in, pulled into the barrel, got closed out on, and when i came up to gasp for air i couldn't breathe, it lasted for around 30 seconds all while i was getting shacked on the inside, it needless to say was scary as hell, but my question to you is did you inhale any water? Cause i dont feel like i did but yet i still had the spasm.

[Dwq47]

@BVI03 I don't think I have this, but it's very similar. This has happened twice in the past 2 months, I end up not being able to breathe for a couple seconds. I also noticed it was harder to swallow spit during this time. I never made the weezing noise, it was an sudden stop of breathing. It happened for no apparent reason, randomly. It happened today, 1hr after I went for a run and I had no problems.