<p>Does anyone out there know if having an endoscopy can affect the vocal chords in any way? I'm really worried of that possibility, but I also think that not getting one could also hurt my chords. Any advice for me? Thanks</p>
<p>go to nfcs.net to the health and fitness thread and do a search under “endoscopy” LOTS of discussion there. Acid reflux is a common condition for vocalists.</p>
<p>The answer is, very simply, YES! Anything that is going down your throat can bang around there and potentially do damage. Unless your acid reflux is so bad that it’s impacting your daily life, then skip the endoscopy and ask the MD give you a scrip for a prescription strength antacid and some good advice about diet for singers. Try adding a wedge under the upper half of your body when you are sleeping, or elevate the head of your bed.
If the reflux does get bad enough to interfere with your life then find an ENT who specializes in working on singers. You live near a good music school, so if you must, ask them for the name of the doc to whom they send their students.</p>