An unusual disorder, laryngospasm (luh-RING-go-spaz-um), is often difficult to diagnose. This disorder occurs when the vocal cords spasm and make it difficult to speak or breathe. This may be alarming, but it is not life-threatening and generally only lasts less than a minute. When happening, it will seem like the longest minute of your life.

It is usually triggered randomly by food, or even liquids, touching the vocal cords when swallowing. It can also be caused by GERD, and can happen while sleeping if acid refluxes into the upper esophagus.