Laryngeal Nerve Damage: Symptoms, Causes & Recovery

The two laryngeal nerves attach to the larynx, commonly called the voice box. They help move the vocal cords, which allows a person to talk, and they also help prevent food or liquid from getting into the trachea, or windpipe. Laryngeal nerve damage can result from a few different medical conditions and has varying symptoms.

Causes

• Laryngeal nerve damage can be caused by a complication from surgery, particularly surgery involving the heart, thyroid or lungs. It also can result from a breathing tube in the windpipe, or tumors or other growths.

Throat Symptoms

• Laryngeal nerve damage symptoms include difficulty speaking or swallowing, and hoarseness.

Respiratory Symptoms

• Additional symptoms include difficulty breathing and shortness of breath.

Dangerous Symptoms

• Dangerous symptoms include inhalation of food or liquid into the lungs, which can cause aspiration pneumonia.

Treatment

• In some cases, the nerve recovers on its own, but sometimes the damage is permanent. Surgery may be needed, and some people need voice therapy.