The answer to this question is “no”. A vocal cord function has triggers and symptoms similar to those of asthma. For instance, both conditions can be triggered by exposure to lung irritants, infections in the upper respiratory tracts and exercise. In addition, both have similar symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing and tightness in the throat. Due to these similarities, a vocal cord dysfunction is often diagnosed incorrectly as asthma.

Asthma is a disease characterized by inflammation of the lower airways, also known as the “bronchial tubes”, of lungs, caused by irritants. This, as well as the tightening of the bronchial muscles and the excess mucus produced by the airways, constricts the bronchial tubes, making it difficult for oxygen to pass through.

On the other hand, vocal cord dysfunction, also known as laryngeal dysfunction and paradoxical vocal cord movement, is characterized by the tightening of the muscles of vocal cord, which causes difficulty in breathing.

Since asthma medications - if administered to a person with vocal cord dysfunction and not asthma, can produce negative effects in the long run, it is important to correctly diagnose this condition. A person would have to take lung function tests and/or nitric oxide tests. Negative results in both these tests would indicate that the person is suffering from vocal cord dysfunction and not asthma.