For many people, a primary care or family physician may treat their breathing condition. Others will see a pulmonologist (lung specialist), allergist, or cardiologist (heart specialist) to treat shortness of breath and other breathing conditions.

However, occasionally the breathing difficulty arises from the upper trachea, larynx (voice box including the vocal cords), or the pharynx (throat). When this happens, voice specialists will treat the condition.

Some examples of conditions in the “upper airway” treated by the Duke Voice Care Center include:

• Vocal cord dysfunction (Learn more)
• Subglottic stenosis
• Tumors in the throat (Learn more)
• Respiratory and laryngeal papillomatosis
• Bilateral vocal cord paralysis

Treatment may involve medical, surgical, or behavior modifications.

A physician will treat any obstructions to the airway requiring removal. A speech pathologist will address problems such as VCD, where exercises and breathing strategies can alleviate symptoms.

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Cohen, Seth M.
  • Surgery / Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
  • Pediatrics / Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
• Scher, Richard L.
  • Surgery / Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
• Witsell, David L.
  • Surgery / Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
  • Pediatrics / Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Otolaryngology of Raleigh
  Duke Medicine Plaza, 3480 Wake Forest Road, Suite 404, Raleigh, NC 27609
• Duke Otolaryngology, Head and Neck, ENT
  Duke Clinic 1H, Purple Zone, 200 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710