299 – Airway Induced Obstructions: What are they, and why should Med SLPs know?

Have you ever worked with an athlete or a young patient who fears exercise because it can trigger what feels like an asthma attack? Or maybe you’ve helped someone who feels like they can’t breathe when they smell a strong perfume or have acid reflux.

Only none of this is asthma…it’s a form of airway-induced obstructions. 

In this podcast episode, Sara Davis, an SLP and the founder of Vox Fit discusses exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (formerly known as vocal fold dysfunction/paradoxical vocal fold movement disorder) and inducible airway obstruction due to other triggers. She opens up about the impact of high stress and pressure on individuals with upper airway disorders and the importance of behavioral therapy in managing symptoms. 

Learn about the use of scopes for biofeedback, techniques for managing airway conditions, and the role of education and empowerment in helping patients understand and manage their symptoms. Understand the importance of tailoring breathing techniques to specific sports and activities and the need for individualized treatment.

You’ll walk away from this episode with a greater understanding of airway-induced obstructions, desensitization training, and techniques for addressing exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction. 

Get the show notes and references: https://syppodcast.com/299

Timestamps:

The conference on upper airway disorders and conditions [00:01:09]

Establishment of the Global Initiative for Inducible Laryngeal Obstruction (GLO) [00:02:22]

Inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) and exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) [00:05:01]

The fear cycle and high stress [00:06:55]

Importance of the first visit and education [00:08:07]

Differentiating upper airway disorders from asthma [00:11:26]

The role of scope for biofeedback teaching [00:13:31]

Understanding the larynx as a gatekeeper [00:14:50]

Teaching breathing techniques and gaining control over the airway [00:18:08]

Establishing Triggers and Sensory Awareness [00:20:31]

Managing Cough and Throat Clearing [00:21:36]

Breathing Techniques for Vocal Fold Opening [00:22:43]

Modifying breathing techniques for sports [00:27:53]

Assessing exercise-induced condition [00:30:55]

Desensitization training for triggers [00:33:32]

Reducing sensory receptors in the larynx [00:35:35]

Ellerby techniques for exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction [00:36:58]

The importance of fullness and depth of breath [00:40:09]

Breathing techniques during high-intensity exercise [00:41:17]

The benefits of respiratory muscle trainers and nasal breathing [00:42:09]