Breathing manifestations of muscle tension disorders can produce severe airway obstruction as well as a hoarse voice. This page provides more information on how laryngeal muscle tension disorders can affect breathing. A second page describes the way in which laryngeal muscle tension disorders can affect the voice. Movements of the vocal folds during breathing are described in more detail in the page on anatomy of the larynx .
Air can then easily pass through the vocal folds into the lungs.
The term inspiratory adduction therefore most appropriately describes the mechanics of this disorder. IA can present with symptoms of severe airway obstruction and feelings of suffocation. It obviously is a very frightening situation and frequently results in a trip to the emergency room. The symptoms are very similar to asthma and distinguishing the two can be difficult. The situation is also complicated because there seems to be a tendency for IA to develop in individuals with asthma.