Swallowing Disorders

I wide range of disorders impair our ability to swallow. Please check out this episode of the American Health Journal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dYki_E2zZw

Aging and Voice Disoders

As we age, our voices tend to deteriorate, and can lead to a decline in our quality of life.

Please enjoy this video on again and voice disorders.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLk2ua447Ck

Facebook

Please join Dr. Feinberg and Newport Voice and Swallowing on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Newport-Beach-CA/Newport-Voice-and-Swallowing/129192363758935?v=app_2309869772&ref=ts#!/pages/Newport-Beach-CA/Newport-Voice-and-Swallowing/129192363758935?v=wall&ref=ts&ajaxpipe=1&__a=7

Swollen Glands

Have you ever wondered why your glands become swollen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO2FMD18ZYQ

Smoking and the Voice

Do you smoke?

Suprisingly, I see few patients in my practice that are smokers. This is fortunate, as more than 90% of laryngeal cancers occur in smokers. Unfortunately, the tissue damage from smoking persists for decades after quitting. Some patients develop smoking-related cancers many years after quitting.

In addition to cancer, smoke causes inflammation and swelling, polyp formation, and precancerous changes of the vocal cords.

We know very little about the effects of marijuana smoke on the vocal cords, though I suspect it is equally dangerous as cigarette smoke.

What is a laryngocele?

A laryngocele is an air filled mass of the larynx, connecting to the lumen of the larynx through the ventricle. The ventricle is the space above the vocal cords and below the false vocal cords. The anterior part of the ventricle, called the saccule, can become enlarged and filled with air and/or mucus.

Laryngoceles can be confined within the voice box (internal laryngocele) or may extend beyond the larynx into the neck (external laryngocele) through the thyrohyoid membrane.

The image to the left is an example of an external laryngopyelocele. The mass (green arrow) is extending outside of the larynx into the neck. Laryngoceles can be associated with cancer of the larynx, and with certain occupations associated with blowing. These include horn players and glass blowers.

Treatment consists of surgery, either externally (through the neck) or endoscopically (through the mouth).

Vocal Health

Welcome to the Newport Voice and Swallowing Blog. On a regular basis, I hope to post on vocal health, voice and swallowing disorders, and new scientific advances in the area of laryngology, bronchoesophagology, and otolaryngology. Please feel free to leave comments and questions.

My practice is located in Newport Beach, California. I am the Director of the Hoag Voice and Swallowing Center and specialize in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, with a special interest in voice and swallowing disorders, laryngeal cancer, and airway surgery.

Please visit my website at http://www.newportvoiceandswallow.com/