What to Know About the Condition That Affects RFK Jr.’s Voice

RObert F. Kennedy, the younger, candidate of President Trump to run the US Ministry of Health and Human Services, speaks with his hand in his voice. This is because it has a spasmodic display, a rare neurological condition that causes a spasm that affect muscles that affect the vocal cords.

Kennedy has previously been talking about the way the situation affects his life. He “can’t stand” his voice, Said Los Angeles Time last year. “I’m sorry people who have to listen to me,” he said in a telephone conversation with the socket. “My voice doesn’t really get tired. It simply sounds awful. But the injury is neurological, so I really use a voice more, the stronger it is. “

Here’s what to know about how common the spasmodic dysphony is, what causes it and how it is treated.

What is a spasmodic dysphonia?

Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a rare disorder that causes inadvertent voice box movements, says Saul Frankford, Assistant Professor at the Behavioral and Brain School at the University of Texas, Dallas, which explored the situation. About 1 out of 100,000 people around the world.

There are two main types of SD. The Aductor Spamodic Disconia, which is the species Kennedy has, means “vocal folds are pressed too hard during speech,” says Frankford. “It causes this cheeky or creaking type of voice, often with voices.” Abductor Spazmodic Disconia, which is less common, causes loud ribbons to open suddenly. “That leads to a disappearing voice,” he says.

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SD is sometimes called laryngeal dystonia. Other types of dystonia include the printer’s dystonia of cramps and doors, and both occur during the active movements, says Frankford, such as knee contractions in the fingers, hands or forearms.

What causes spasmodic displays?

People usually develop SD in their 40s or 50s -Kennedy was diagnosed in 1996, at the age of 42– And scientists are not very sure what causes it. “That basically comes from nowhere,” says Frankford. Some studies suggest If people with a condition report that they have upper respiratory infections or acute stress and anxiety periods, and both could play a role in launch, he adds.

There is also a genetic component. The exact percentage of cases where genetics plays the role is not clear, although Frankford estimates that about 10% to 20% of people with this situation have family members who have it.

Does this affect all kinds of vocal activities?

Spasmodic dysphony is considered to be a type of dystonia specific to the task, which means that it affects regular speech. It is less likely to affect other types of vocal activities, says Frankford, including laughter, crying, whispering, and sometimes even singing.

How to diagnose spasmodic dysphony?

The SD is difficult to diagnose. Because it’s so rare, not every doctor knows about it, Frankford says. Research suggests It takes an average of four to five years for patients to get an accurate diagnosis. “There is a real problem with getting an accurate diagnosis, especially because it is overlapping and resembles some other more common voice disorders, such as muscle tension dysphony,” he says.

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Part of the problem is that there is nothing physically wrong with voice muscles. “It’s a neurological disorder, but it’s not something you can see on MRI scanning,” says Frankford. “It’s not like there is a tumor or a stroke or something.” According to Johns Hopkins MedicineThe spoken language pathologists often test the production and quality of the voice, and the doctor can check vocal folds by passing a small tube through the nose and in the voice box.

Is there a cure for spasmodic display?

SD is a life -long state that never disappears. “But it differs depending on how stressful or tired someone is,” Frankford says.

Are there any treatments?

Typical treatment of SD are botox injections in the muscles of the larynx. “You inject the muscles of the larynx Botox, around voice folds, and that weakens the muscles,” says Frankford. There are some short -term side effects, such as breath, but over time, “it actually leads to a more typical voice.” Because Botox is spent after a few months, people usually need to repeat it every two to five months. “You would have to do it all the time, as long as that works,” he says. According to E.g.Said Kennedy on Diane Rehm In 2005, he received Botox injections every four months.

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In the meantime, researchers are investigating potential drug capabilities, and there are some surgery that cuts a nerve that controls the movement of larynx. But they are not always successful, making surgery less than the ideal option. Some people with SD decide to go to vocal therapy, which can help, Frankford says, but “that doesn’t get rid of it.” Voice therapy is usually more effective for people with muscle tension, such as teachers who talk all day and then lose their voice.

What is it like to live with a spasmodic display?

Living with SD can be stressful. In studies, up to 62% It has been discovered that people with the situation have anxiety and depression. And there Some evidence That there is an increased risk of suicide in this population.

“Communication is an important part of the human state,” says Frankford. “When you are not able to communicate effectively or when it is more challenging, it will definitely take a psychological toll. You do not want to communicate with other people if you do not think your voice sounds the way you want.”

Unfortunately, people with SD often mock the way their voice sounds. Frankford emphasizes that it is a neurological condition, which means that it is not guilty of being guilty of having it. In addition, it does not reflect any cognitive or psychological issues. “It’s not an indication of one’s cognitive abilities or their abilities to think and communicate with other people,” he says.