Miley Cyrus: The Singer and Her Vocal Cords
For years, Miley Cyrus's distinctive raspy and powerful voice has been a hallmark of her music. In a recent interview, she revealed that this unique vocal texture is, in part, due to a medical condition known as Reinke's edema. This disorder is a benign (noncancerous) vocal cord condition that causes the swelling of the vocal cords due to the buildup of a gelatinous fluid. It is most commonly associated with long-term vocal cord misuse, such as vocal strain, singing, smoking, and untreated acid reflux.
Cyrus explained that while early lifestyle choices exacerbated the condition, it is also a part of her unique anatomy and has contributed significantly to her tone. However, living with the condition is not without its difficulties. She has compared performing with Reinke's edema to "running a marathon with ankle weights on" due to the physical toll it takes on her voice. This has influenced her decision to tour less, prioritizing her vocal health and ensuring she can perform to her best ability.
Treatment options for Reinke's edema
There are both surgical and non-surgical approaches to treating Reinke's edema. The decision often depends on the severity of the condition and the patient's vocal needs. The Cleveland Clinic outlines common treatments, which can include:
- Non-Surgical Treatments:
- Voice Therapy: Working with a speech-language pathologist to learn proper vocal techniques and reduce vocal strain.
- Lifestyle Changes: Quitting smoking and managing acid reflux can significantly improve symptoms.
- Surgical Treatments:
- Microlaryngoscopy: A surgeon removes the swollen tissue using small tools and a microscope.
- Laser Therapy: Lasers can be used to remove the growths on the vocal folds.
Cyrus has opted against surgical intervention for fear of fundamentally changing her voice. "I'm not willing to sever it because the chance of waking up from a surgery and not sounding like myself is a probability," she stated. Her choice highlights the balance many performers must strike between managing a health condition and preserving the unique qualities that define their artistry.
Miley Cyrus's Experience with Tachycardia
Long before she openly discussed her vocal condition, Miley Cyrus disclosed in her 2009 autobiography, "Miles to Go," that she was born with a heart condition known as tachycardia. Tachycardia is a condition that causes a person's resting heart rate to be significantly faster than normal. While she has not disclosed the specific type, she has clarified that it is not life-threatening.
Despite it not being life-threatening, the condition is noticeable and can be worrisome, particularly during high-energy performances. Cyrus has written, "There is never a time onstage when I'm not thinking about my heart". This awareness of her body's limits, combined with the physical demands of her career, has been a lifelong consideration for the singer. Managing the condition often involves a combination of lifestyle adjustments, regular monitoring, and sometimes medical intervention, though she has not provided specific details about her ongoing treatment.
Mental Health and Anxiety
In addition to her physical health conditions, Cyrus has been a strong advocate for mental health and has been transparent about her own struggles with anxiety and trauma. A key turning point was her experience with severe stage fright, which she successfully overcame using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
EMDR is a psychotherapy technique designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. Cyrus described the therapy as "life-saving," explaining that it helped her process past trauma, including the devastating loss of her Malibu home in the 2018 Woolsey Fire. During one EMDR session, she re-experienced the trauma connected to filming her role in an episode of Black Mirror, which took place concurrently with the fire. The therapy allowed her to reprocess these events, separating her past anxieties from her present career.
Benefits of EMDR, according to Cyrus's experience and clinical reports:
- Significantly reduces or eliminates anxiety and stage fright.
- Helps process and re-frame traumatic memories.
- Promotes a sense of calm and clarity during stressful situations.
- Shifts memory storage from emotional centers to more logical parts of the brain.
Comparing Miley Cyrus's Health Conditions
| Feature | Reinke's Edema | Tachycardia | Anxiety & Trauma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Vocal cord disorder | Heart condition (fast heart rate) | Mental health condition |
| Main Symptoms | Raspy, deeper voice; vocal fatigue; sometimes breathing issues | Elevated resting heart rate; palpitations | Anxiety attacks; stage fright; psychological distress |
| Known Causes | Vocal strain, smoking, reflux, potential unique anatomy | Congenital (born with it) | Traumatic experiences, high-pressure environments |
| Impact on Career | Makes performing and touring physically taxing | Requires constant awareness, especially on stage | Caused severe stage fright, potentially affecting performance |
| Cyrus's Treatment | Avoids surgery, manages with vocal care | Manages condition, maintains healthy lifestyle | Successfully treated with EMDR therapy |
Conclusion: Navigating Health with Resilience
Miley Cyrus's journey with her various health conditions offers a powerful narrative of resilience and adaptability. By openly discussing her diagnoses with Reinke's edema and tachycardia, she has shed light on how chronic conditions can uniquely impact a career in the public eye. Her openness about mental health and the success she found with EMDR therapy serves as an important step in normalizing therapy and destigmatizing mental health struggles. Through her transparency, Cyrus demonstrates that it is possible to not only manage health challenges but to thrive despite them, transforming potential obstacles into sources of unique strength and character.
For more detailed medical information on Reinke's edema, consult trusted resources like the Cleveland Clinic. Link to Cleveland Clinic Reinke's Edema
