Breathing Problems & Disorders
With expertise and advanced treatments, our specialists help make breathing easier
We often take breathing for granted, but when it’s difficult or requires extra effort, we become aware of how vital to life every breath really is.
Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing not only impact quality of life, they also are significant health concerns.
Expert laryngologists at the IU Health Voice Center specialize in evaluating and treating breathing disorders and conditions. Our main location is in Carmel, and we also offer all the services and treatment options at the IU Health Neuroscience Center in Indianapolis.
These conditions include:
Stenosis (subglottic stenosis, tracheal stenosis, laryngeal stenosis)
Narrowing, or stenosis, of the airway can lead to shortness of breath and/or difficulty breathing. This can happen in any of three areas:
- Subglottis (area just below the vocal cords)
- Trachea (windpipe)
- Larynx (voice box)
The narrowing can be caused by several factors. This could include trauma, surgery, radiation treatment, intubation or acid reflux.
Stenosis treatment
There are a few options for treatment:
- We perform a variety of minimally invasive procedures to open the airway/windpipe to improve breathing.
- In some cases, an open surgical reconstruction is required.
- Medications are also used in treatment and wound healing.
Bilateral vocal cord paralysis
Vocal cords must open to breathe, then close completely to produce a normal voice and cough. Weakness or paralysis in a vocal cord means there is nerve damage limiting or restricting movement.
Bilateral vocal cord paralysis often leads to both vocal cords sitting in a near-closed position. While the voice may be normal or only slightly hoarse, your breathing is often significantly affected. This results in shortness of breath, noisy breathing or wheezing that worsens with exertion. Vocal cord paralysis can be caused by a virus, trauma to the voice box or a complication from another neck or chest surgery.
Bilateral vocal cord paralysis treatment
We treat more cases of vocal cord paralysis than any other center in Indiana. We use an advanced technique called laryngeal electromyography (LEMG). With this technique, we can assess the extent of your nerve damage and determine whether the nerves will “heal” after injury.
If treatment is required, several options exist to improve breathing, often with minimally invasive procedures.
Papilloma
Papillomas are non-cancerous growths that form in the mouth, cheeks, throat or larynx (voice box). They are typically caused by a viral infection (human papilloma virus, or HPV).
Papilloma growth on the vocal cords typically causes hoarseness. It can also lead to difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Papilloma treatment
We use the most advanced laser treatments to remove papillomas. Many of these procedures can be completed in the office, while you are awake. This allows for faster recovery and avoiding the operating room.
Other breathing disorders we treat include:
- Amyloidosis (protein buildup in larynx or vocal cords)
- Laryngeal cancer
- Non-cancerous growths
Understanding Breathing Problems & Disorders
Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing not only impact quality of life, they also are significant health concerns.
Expert laryngologists at the IU Health Voice Center specialize in evaluating and treating breathing disorders and conditions. Our main location is in Carmel, and we also offer all the services and treatment options at the IU Health Neuroscience Center in Indianapolis.
These conditions include:
Stenosis (subglottic stenosis, tracheal stenosis, laryngeal stenosis)
Narrowing, or stenosis, of the airway can lead to shortness of breath and/or difficulty breathing. This can happen in any of three areas:
- Subglottis (area just below the vocal cords)
- Trachea (windpipe)
- Larynx (voice box)
The narrowing can be caused by several factors. This could include trauma, surgery, radiation treatment, intubation or acid reflux.
Stenosis treatment
There are a few options for treatment:
- We perform a variety of minimally invasive procedures to open the airway/windpipe to improve breathing.
- In some cases, an open surgical reconstruction is required.
- Medications are also used in treatment and wound healing.
Bilateral vocal cord paralysis
Vocal cords must open to breathe, then close completely to produce a normal voice and cough. Weakness or paralysis in a vocal cord means there is nerve damage limiting or restricting movement.
Bilateral vocal cord paralysis often leads to both vocal cords sitting in a near-closed position. While the voice may be normal or only slightly hoarse, your breathing is often significantly affected. This results in shortness of breath, noisy breathing or wheezing that worsens with exertion. Vocal cord paralysis can be caused by a virus, trauma to the voice box or a complication from another neck or chest surgery.
Bilateral vocal cord paralysis treatment
We treat more cases of vocal cord paralysis than any other center in Indiana. We use an advanced technique called laryngeal electromyography (LEMG). With this technique, we can assess the extent of your nerve damage and determine whether the nerves will “heal” after injury.
If treatment is required, several options exist to improve breathing, often with minimally invasive procedures.
Papilloma
Papillomas are non-cancerous growths that form in the mouth, cheeks, throat or larynx (voice box). They are typically caused by a viral infection (human papilloma virus, or HPV).
Papilloma growth on the vocal cords typically causes hoarseness. It can also lead to difficulty breathing and swallowing.
Papilloma treatment
We use the most advanced laser treatments to remove papillomas. Many of these procedures can be completed in the office, while you are awake. This allows for faster recovery and avoiding the operating room.
Other breathing disorders we treat include:
- Amyloidosis (protein buildup in larynx or vocal cords)
- Laryngeal cancer
- Non-cancerous growths
Our laryngologists are leaders in evaluating and treating issues and conditions that affect the voice, breathing and swallowing. At our Carmel and Indianapolis locations, you’ll have access to the following:
- Board certified, fellowship-trained laryngologists (experts in injuries and illnesses of the larynx). They are sub-specialists within the field of head and neck surgery. They focus on the expert evaluation of throat and neck disorders.
- Speech language pathologists specially trained in the latest therapy techniques.
Our experts are leaders in the field:
- We perform more laryngeal and vocal cord surgeries than any other center in the state.
- Our physicians are engaged in clinical research. This includes studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to investigate and develop better treatments for patients.
- We partner with other IU Health specialists, including colleagues at the IU Health Simon Cancer Center and the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center, to provide the latest treatment for patients.
- We offer vocal rehabilitation, therapy and treatment for people who use their voices professionally. This includes singers, performers, teachers, lawyers, those in the ministry and other professional speakers.
Why Choose IU Health?
Our laryngologists are leaders in evaluating and treating issues and conditions that affect the voice, breathing and swallowing. At our Carmel and Indianapolis locations, you’ll have access to the following:
- Board certified, fellowship-trained laryngologists (experts in injuries and illnesses of the larynx). They are sub-specialists within the field of head and neck surgery. They focus on the expert evaluation of throat and neck disorders.
- Speech language pathologists specially trained in the latest therapy techniques.
Our experts are leaders in the field:
- We perform more laryngeal and vocal cord surgeries than any other center in the state.
- Our physicians are engaged in clinical research. This includes studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to investigate and develop better treatments for patients.
- We partner with other IU Health specialists, including colleagues at the IU Health Simon Cancer Center and the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center, to provide the latest treatment for patients.
- We offer vocal rehabilitation, therapy and treatment for people who use their voices professionally. This includes singers, performers, teachers, lawyers, those in the ministry and other professional speakers.
Sep 25
IU Health patient’s successful lung infection diagnosis using robotic bronchoscopy.
Patient Stories for Breathing Problems & Disorders
Sep 25
IU Health patient’s successful lung infection diagnosis using robotic bronchoscopy.
