I usually avoid using the peak flow meter during a VCD attack. The closing of the vocal cords happens during inspiration, giving the feeling of having a noose or tie being tightened around the neck. Trying to take a deep breath in can be difficult or can trigger more coughing and further exacerbation of VCD symptoms. Forcing a breath out can also send me into paroxysms of coughing, which would also irritate the VCD further.

When I get a pulling feeling at my throat around where the Adam’s apple would be when I breathe in, it is almost always VCD. You can try asking the child, if they are old enough, to point to where it feels like they can’t breathe-if they point high, to the neck region around the Adam’s apple, it’s more likely VCD instead of asthma. (That can also indicate croup or an inhaled object partly occluding the windpipe, so still take proper care and precautions)

The cough of VCD tends to be more croupy or barky as opposed to an asthmatic cough and there can be a high-pitched stridor noise (like croup) on inhalation during bad attacks.

One good thing about VCD is that it is often outgrown and if not, techniques taught by a properly trained speech therapist can help give the person with VCD better control over the condition. For some children, treating gastric reflux helps stop or reduce VCD symptoms.

When an attack hits, the doctor told me to rest and try to breathe quietly using pursed lip breathing (In slowly through the nose, out slowly through pursed lips, or like breathing out through a straw).

He also told me to drink warm fluids without caffeine, to have a hot shower and to talk as little as possible.

Asthma and VCD often co-exist (I have both), so even if a VCD diagnosis is made, the child should still be re-evaluated to see if they also have asthma.

- Faith