What causes vocal cord nodules and polyps?
According to the children’s hospital, vocal cord nodules can be caused by using the voice strenuously, for example, yelling or screaming, speaking very loudly or in a strained voice or repetitive coughing or throat clearing.
It explains: “Abusing the voice or misusing it makes the vocal cords close together with a lot of force. Where they meet is usually where the nodules start to form.”
At an early stage, the tissue may look red on examination but quickly turns into swelling or thickening on the edge of the vocal cords.
GOSH adds: “Over time, the swelling turns into a lump or nodule, which can become harder and more fibrous without treatment.”
