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Miley Cyrus is instantly recognisable for her deep, raspy voice. It is her signature sound that sets her apart in the music industry. But behind her unique vocal tone lies a medical condition known as Reinke’s oedema. It is a disorder marked by swelling of the vocal cords due to fluid buildup in what’s called Reinke’s space. This swelling alters the vibration of the vocal cords, often resulting in a lower, huskier, and more gravelly voice. They are the symptoms that have become hallmarks of Cyrus’s singing and speaking style.
Miley Cyrus Opens Up About Her Diagnosis
"tuve el edema de reinke, un abuso de las cuerdas vocales y un pólipo grande que me dificulta cantar, es como correr una maratón con pesas, no quiero quitarme el pólipo porque la posibilidad de despertarme de la operación y no sonar como yo es una probabilidad" - miley
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Recently, Miley Cyrus spoke candidly about her experience with Reinke’s oedema. She explained, "I had the Reinke's oedema, which is something that is called, it's abuse of the vocal cords. And being 21 and staying up and drinking and smoking and partying after every show does not help. But also in my case, it does not cause it. So my voice always sounded like this.
Cyrus also shared that she has a “very large polyp” on her vocal cord, which, along with Reinke’s oedema, gives her voice its distinctive tone and texture. However, she noted that performing with these conditions is “extremely difficult,” likening it to “running a marathon with ankle weights on.” Despite the challenges, she is unwilling to undergo surgery to remove the polyp, fearing it might change her iconic sound.
What Is Reinke’s Oedema?
Dr Harshad Nikte, Consultant, ENT Surgery, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, explains, “Reinke’s oedema is a voice disorder that develops quietly but can have a profound effect on a person’s communication and confidence.” It occurs when fluid builds up in the superficial layer of the vocal cords, known as Reinke’s space, causing them to swell and vibrate abnormally. It is not cancerous or life-threatening, but however, it can significantly alter the way a person sounds and feels when speaking.
What Are Its Symptoms?
The first and foremost noticeable symptom of Reinke’s oedema is a persistent change in a person’s voice. Dr Nikte explains that the voice may become unusually deep, rough, or husky. Sometimes, a woman with the disease may start to sound typically male. One easily recognisable symptom is when someone feels the need to clear their throat often. If they speak for long periods, they may feel vocal fatigue. In more advanced cases, they may notice shortness of breath while talking or even at rest. For some professions like singing, teaching, and other professionals who rely heavily on their voice, these changes can be particularly distressing.
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What Causes Reinke's Oedema?
The primary cause of Reinke’s oedema is long-term irritation of the vocal cords. Why does this long-term irritation occur? The most common culprit is voice abuse, closely followed by smoking. Years of tobacco exposure inflame the delicate tissues of the larynx, leading to chronic changes in the vocal fold lining. Smoking is thus the leading risk factor, but there are other contributors as well, like excessive voice use, exposure to pollutants, acid reflux, and even hormonal changes such as hypothyroidism.
It tends to develop gradually, and because the symptoms may be subtle at first, people often delay seeking medical advice until the changes become significant.
How It’s Diagnosed
The experts share that they usually use a laryngoscopic examination, where a small camera is used to visualise the vocal cords. So for a person with Reinke’s edema, the cords appear swollen and floppy; they can be described as balloon-like. There are advanced techniques like stroboscopy that help assess how the cords vibrate during speech, offering further insight into the severity of the condition.
Reinke's Oedema Treatment and Care
Treatment starts with addressing the root cause. If the cause of voice abuse, voice rest is of paramount importance. If it is smoking, then quitting smoking is essential and often the most effective step in halting progression. Voice therapy with a speech-language pathologist can improve vocal technique and reduce strain.
In more advanced cases, especially when voice quality is severely affected or breathing is compromised, surgical intervention may be recommended. During a minimally invasive procedure called microlaryngoscopy, the excess fluid and thickened tissue are removed, allowing the cords to return to a more normal shape and function. Voice rest and therapy follow surgery to ensure proper healing and voice recovery.
Conclusion
Miley Cyrus’s openness about her struggle with Reinke’s oedema highlights the importance of vocal health and the potential long-term effects of vocal strain and lifestyle factors. While her condition has contributed to her iconic sound, it also serves as a reminder that voice disorders can have significant impacts on both career and quality of life. Early intervention, lifestyle changes, and professional care are crucial for anyone experiencing persistent hoarseness or vocal fatigue.