Spasmodic Dysphonia

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Spasmodic Dysphonia is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

CSD (Chronic Spasmodic Dysphonia)
Laryngeal Dystonia
Dysphonia Spastica
Spastic Dysphonia
SD

Disorder Subdivisions

Abductor Spasmodic Dysphonia
Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia

General Discussion

Spasmodic dysphonia is a voice disorder characterized by momentary periods of uncontrolled vocal spasms, tightness in the throat, and/or recurrent hoarseness. At certain times, affected individuals must make a conscious effort to speak. The most frequent sign of this disorder is a sudden, momentary lapse or interruption of the voice. Spasmodic dysphonia is a form of dystonia, a group of neurological movement disorders characterized by involuntary muscle spasms.

There are two types of spasmodic dysphonia: Abductor spasmodic dysphonia and the more common adductor spasmodic dysphonia. The cause of spasmodic dysphonia is not known.
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Resources

WE MOVE (Worldwide Education and Awareness for Movement Disorders)
204 West 84th Street
New York, NY 10024
USA
Tel: (212)875-8312
Fax: (212)875-8389
Email: wemove@wemove.org
Internet: http://www.wemove.org

National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association
300 Park Boulevard
Suite 301
Itasca, IL 60143
Fax: (630)250-4505
Tel: (800)795-6732
Email: nsda@dysphonia.org
Internet: http://www.dysphonia.org

Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
1 East Wacker Drive
Suite 2810
Chicago, IL 60601-1905
United States
Tel: (312)755-0198
Fax: (312)803-0138
Tel: (800)377-3978
Email: dystonia@dystonia-foundation.org
Internet: http://www.dystonia-foundation.org

NIH/National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (Balance)
National Temporal Bone, Hearing
and Balance Pathology Resource Registry
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
243 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114-3096
Fax: (617)573-3838
Tel: (800)822-1327
TDD: (888)561-3277
Email: TBRegistry@meei.harvard.edu
Internet: http://www.tbregistry.org

Dystonia Society
89 Albert Embankment
London, Intl SE1 7TP
United Kingdom
Tel: 0845 458 6211
Fax: 0845 458 6311
Tel: 0845 458 6322
Email: info@dystonia.org.uk
Internet: http://www.dystonia.org.uk

Spasmodic Dysphonia Support Group
8 Corona Avenue
Roseville
New South Wales, Intl 2069
Australia
Tel: 61 294 112 424
Fax: 61 294 112 424
Email: dennist@agsm.unsw.edu.au

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 4/26/2008
Copyright 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1996, 2002 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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