Question

How do I treat vocal chord spasms?

On rare occasions toward the end of a 10-mile run or longer, I will experience a vocal cord spasm. Inhaling becomes quite difficult, and though walking alleviates it, the spasm returns very quickly. I'm a 55 year-old male, 170 lbs, with well-controlled reflux and asthma. Only during the last two of my 25 years of running have I had this problem. I have also been swimming my whole life as well, but have never experienced this problem during those workouts. I was told by an otolarynologist that there is no treatment for these spasms. Is this true?

Michael Hechtkopf,
Virginia Beach, VA