<unk>  (or paralysis) is weakness of one or both<unk>  folds that can greatly impact daily life, employment, job choice, social interactions and leisure time pursuits.  Symptoms of<unk>  include: hoarseness,<unk>  fatigue, mild to severe reduction in<unk>  volume, pain in the throat when speaking, shortness of breath, aspiration (food or liquids going down the trachea) with frequent resultant coughing, and in extreme cases may cause death.
Reduced<unk> <unk>  mobility may decrease the effectiveness of coughing, swallowing, or sneezing in removing mucosal wastes from the laryngeal area.  The resultant accumulations may allow for viral and bacterial colonization with an increased tendency for infections and throat discomfort.
Some causes of<unk>  include: viral infection, cancer or tumor compressing the recurrent laryngeal nerve, intramuscular tumor limiting<unk>  fold movement, trauma, compression of the<unk> <unk>  nerve from intubation, or laryngopharyngeal reflux.  Cardiac surgery represents a risk to normal voice function as the nerves serving the larynx are routed near the heart.  Damage to this nerve during open heart surgery is not uncommon.  Neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's can deteriorate<unk>  functions.<unk>  may occur from an unknown cause (idiopathic).<unk><unk>  is diagnosed by observing the lack of (or reduced) motion of one or both<unk> s using a laryngoscope. EMG (electromyography) may be used to measure the strength of the neuromuscular signal from the brain to the muscles controlling the<unk>  folds.  This diagnosis can be made by a laryngologist or otolaryngologist with the assistance of a neurologist.  In situations involving inflammation, recovery of normal motion of the<unk> <unk> s may return spontaneously.
Vocal cord paresis
Facial nerve paralysis
Laryngomalacia
Tracheal deviation
Hypoglossal nerve palsy
Onychoptosis
Diaphragmatic paralysis
Anodontia