Vocal Hygiene and Health, Head and Neck Cancer Flashcards
What is reflux?
Chronic disease that occurs when stomach acid or bile flows into the food pipe and irritates the lining
What is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)?
A condition in which gastric content pass into the esophagus from the stomach through the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
What is laryngophrayngeal reflux?
Results from conditions that enable reflux of stomach contents back into the esophagus such as a hiatal hernia or increased abdominal pressure
What foods/drinks could trigger reflux?
Coffee, high acidity foods, dairy, eating too close to bedtime, high stress, smoking
What are some ways to prevent reflux?
No smoking, smaller meals, eat slower, reduce stress, cut out dietary triggers, wait at least 2-3 hours after eating before lying down
Why is reflux important?
There is a link between esophageal and laryngeal cancers
Could also be a link to pulmonary diseases if vocal hygiene is not taken care of
Reflux is linked to what type of cancers?
Oropharyngeal cancers (throat cancers)
Leading cause of throat cancer
HPV (up to 70% of oropharyngeal cancers)
Risk factors of throat cancer
Smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco, HPV
What we know about vaping?
Unsafe for all users, high nicotine content, poison by swallowing, breathing, even skin/eye absorption
3 options for voicing after a laryngectomy
Electrolaryngeal voice
Tracheoesophageal voice
Esophageal voice
Electrolaryngeal voice
Electrolarynx is a battery-operated electronic device that provides an artificial vibration to replace vibration of the vocal cords. When you place the device against the skin or in the mouth, it vibrates the tissue and creates an artificial voice while you mouth the words to create speech
Tracheoesophageal voice
Process where doctors place a voice prosthesis in the puncture tract
Allows air from the trachea to move into the esophagus and vibrate a muscle to create voice
To talk, you take a breath and put your finger or thumb over stoma
