The Pharmacological Treatment of Voice Disorders

Abstract

The increasing diversity of purpose-built, synthetic and biogenetically engineered pharmaceuticals has led to a revival of interest in the pharmacological possibilities for the treatment of voice disorders. Where dysphonias arise as a part of a pathophysiological process, the pharmacological treatment of either the pathology or its associated symptoms may improve dysphonie voicing patterns. The treatment of symptoms such as cough and vocal fatigue are discussed together with treatment of allergic and other causes of inflammation or stiffening of the vocal tract. The pharmacological treatment of dysphonia due to defective neuromuscular control in dyskinetic and dystonic conditions is also discussed. Dysphonie voicing patterns are commonly multifactorial, and the author wishes to highlight problems encountered when attempting to adjust the performance of the vocal tract: imprecise targeting of the pathophysiological problems either by the physician or by the drug employed, and the systemic and attendant side-effects of drugs which may be thought to be appropriate.

Ethnopharmacological survey of herbs used for the treatment of voice disorders from the West Bank area of Palestine

“…The developing and increasing diversity of pharmaceuticals that were built for this purpose has led to a rise in the pharmacological possibilities for the treatment of voice disorders. Where the symptoms of voice disorders arise as a part of physiological processes or disease, herbal remedies may improve voicing characteristics (12). Dysphonia is characterized by an abnormal voice and is sometimes referred to as hoarseness.…”