Breathless Speech: the Connection Between Talking and Breathing

Q: Breathless Speech: the Connection Between Talking and Breathing

Hello： Based on your current description, it is advisable to consult an otolaryngologist for an endoscopic examination. <br>Appropriate treatment can be provided based on the examination results. <br>If there are no structural issues, voice rehabilitation therapy may also be bene

Holding breath while speaking

Hello, doctor.
I have been searching online for a long time and have not found any similar cases, so I am taking the liberty to ask here.
The following is a bit lengthy, and I kindly ask you to read it patiently.
Medical History: This morning, I woke up and everything was normal until I mentioned my little nephew's problem with speaking and breath-holding.
Shortly after that, I began to experience my own distressing struggle with speaking and breath-holding.
I never considered the relationship between speaking and breathing, as it should be as natural as breathing itself.
Often, I have to wait until I finish a sentence to take a deep breath, and I find myself breaking my speech into several segments.
While speaking, it feels like the air is trapped in my nasal cavity, almost as if I am temporarily holding my breath.
Gradually, in order to communicate with others, I started to breathe through my mouth, but this caused me to inhale air while speaking, leading to a sensation of air rising to my stomach, making me feel like burping, and I actually do burp.
Moreover, the more I speak, the weaker my breath becomes, and my voice gets quieter, to the point where I can no longer finish a simple sentence.
For nearly a year, I have suffered from neck and shoulder strain, even injuring my carotid sinus, which has caused my heart rate to increase.
A couple of days ago, I strained my neck and shoulder again, causing my heart rate to accelerate to the point where it felt like it was going to burst out.
At night, I can even hear my heartbeat in my ears while trying to sleep.
However, after applying heat to my neck, my voice improved significantly.
Now, I am experiencing episodes of breath-holding while speaking, and it feels like I have a lump in my throat that prevents me from breathing properly.
My body seems to have forgotten how to harmoniously coordinate speaking and breathing.
I have read that one typically does not inhale while speaking.
Therefore, I now consciously control my breathing through my nose while exhaling through both my mouth and nose when I speak.
However, this has resulted in even weaker breath and increased pain in my vocal cords, and I am starting to fear speaking out loud.
I have occasionally experienced a sensation of throat constriction while speaking for several years, but this recent incident has severely impacted my daily life.
I find myself holding my breath after just a few words, unable to catch my breath.
I kindly ask for your guidance, as I am very afraid that I will not be able to speak normally in the future.
Thank you, doctor.

Panghuang Wuzhu Ren, 40~49 year old female. Ask Date: 2016/09/25

Dr. Ji Zhaoyun reply Otolaryngology

Hello: Based on your current description, it is advisable to consult an otolaryngologist for an endoscopic examination.
Appropriate treatment can be provided based on the examination results.
If there are no structural issues, voice rehabilitation therapy may also be beneficial.
Wishing you peace and health.
This is purely an exchange of ideas; everything should be based on the physician's actual consultation.
Director Chi Chao-Yun, Department of Otolaryngology, Taichung Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Reply Date: 2016/09/25

More Info

Dear Patient,
Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding your breathless speech and the difficulties you are experiencing with communication. It sounds like you are going through a challenging time, and I appreciate your detailed description of your symptoms. Let's break down the issues you are facing and explore some potential explanations and solutions.

From what you have described, it seems that you are experiencing a disconnect between your breathing and speaking. This can manifest as breathlessness while talking, where you feel the need to pause frequently to catch your breath. This situation can be exacerbated by anxiety or physical discomfort, especially if you have been dealing with neck and shoulder injuries that may affect your overall respiratory function.

The relationship between speech and breathing is indeed intricate. When we speak, we typically exhale air from our lungs, using that airflow to create sound through our vocal cords. This process requires a coordinated effort between the respiratory system and the muscles involved in speech production. If you are experiencing tension or pain in your neck and shoulders, it may lead to restricted movement and difficulty in taking deep breaths, which can contribute to the sensation of breathlessness when speaking.

Your mention of feeling like you are "holding your breath" while speaking is particularly noteworthy. This could indicate a learned behavior where you are subconsciously trying to control your breathing due to discomfort or anxiety about speaking. It is not uncommon for individuals to develop such patterns, especially if they have experienced pain or discomfort in the past. This can create a cycle where the fear of breathlessness leads to more tension and further exacerbates the issue.

Additionally, the physical symptoms you describe, such as feeling air trapped in your throat or stomach, could be related to how you are managing your breathing while speaking. When you breathe through your mouth while talking, it can lead to swallowing air, which may cause discomfort and the sensation of needing to burp. This can further complicate your ability to speak comfortably.

Given the complexity of your situation, I recommend a few steps:
1. Consult a Specialist: It would be beneficial to see an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist or a speech-language pathologist. They can conduct a thorough evaluation of your vocal function and breathing patterns. They may also perform a laryngoscopy to check for any structural issues affecting your voice.

2. Voice Therapy: If no structural problems are found, voice therapy may be an effective option. A speech-language pathologist can work with you to develop techniques for better breath control while speaking, helping you to regain confidence in your voice.

3. Physical Therapy: Since you have mentioned neck and shoulder pain, physical therapy may help alleviate tension in those areas. A physical therapist can provide exercises to improve posture and reduce muscle strain, which can positively impact your breathing and speaking abilities.

4. Breathing Exercises: Practicing diaphragmatic breathing can help you learn to take deeper, more effective breaths. This technique involves breathing deeply into your diaphragm rather than shallowly into your chest, which can enhance your overall respiratory function.

5. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Incorporating mindfulness practices or relaxation techniques can help reduce anxiety related to speaking. This can include deep breathing exercises, meditation, or gentle yoga, which may help you feel more at ease when communicating.

In conclusion, your experience of breathless speech is likely multifaceted, involving both physical and psychological components. By seeking professional guidance and exploring therapeutic options, you can work towards regaining control over your speech and improving your overall quality of life. Remember, you are not alone in this, and there are effective strategies available to help you navigate these challenges.

Wishing you all the best on your journey to recovery.

Sincerely,
Doctor Q&A Teams
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