5-8%
of the general adolescent population is affected by EILO
30-40%
more common in athletes where high-intensity exercise is a regular demand
3x
more common in females — particularly those in competitive sports environments
What Is Eilo?
EILO, also commonly referred to as vocal cord dysfunction or paradoxical vocal fold motion, is a disorder in which the structures of the larynx (voice box) narrow or close during exercise, limiting airflow and creating a sensation of breathing restriction.
Unlike asthma, which affects the lower airways, EILO involves the upper airway and typically occurs during high-intensity effort.
Symptoms often resolve quickly after stopping exercise, but can significantly impact the ability to sustain activity and performance.
Symptoms
What EILO feels like during exercise
Sudden Breathlessness
Severe difficulty breathing that comes on rapidly during peak exercise intensity — the onset is sudden and often frightening.
stridor or noisy breathing
A high-pitched, inspiratory sound caused by turbulent airflow through the partially obstructed larynx. Often audible to coaches, parents, and teammates.
Throat tightness
A sensation of the throat closing or choking — distinct from the chest tightness typical of lower airway conditions.
Difficulty breathing in
EILO restricts inhalation, not exhalation. Athletes often describe it as being unable to get air in — rather than the wheezing on breathing out associated with asthma.
Rapid resolution
Symptoms resolve within minutes of stopping exercise — one of the key differentiators from asthma, which often persists or worsens after activity ends.
Minimal to no improvement with inhaler use
Rescue inhalers provide little or no relief because EILO is not a lower airway condition. This is one of the clearest clinical signals that something other than asthma is present.
EILO vs. Exercise-induced Bronchoconstriction
EILO
Happens during peak exercise
Difficulty inhaling
Throat tightness
Often happens after exercise
Rapid resolution once activity is stopped
Minimal to no improvement with inhaler use
Some Key differences
Exercise-induced Bronchoconstriction
Difficulty exhaling/wheeze
Chest Tightness
Slower recovery
INhaler use often helpful
Who does EILO most Commonly Affect?
EILO can affect any athlete, but is more common in:
Runners and sprinters
Soccer, lacrosse, and field sport athletes
Swimmers and endurance athletes
Competitive youth athletes
High-performance training environments
At Functional Airway Lab, treatment focuses on restoring airway control during exercise, not just managing symptoms.
Our approach to eilo treatment
Following a comprehensive assessment, we focus on:
Establishing efficient breathing mechanics
Restoring airway stability under exertion
Coordinating breathing and effort in sport-specific environments
Regaining confidence during high-intensity performance
Frequently asked questions about EILO
Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO), also commonly referred to as vocal cord dysfunction, is a condition in which the larynx — your voice box — narrows or closes during exercise, restricting airflow and creating a sensation of breathing restriction. Unlike asthma, EILO affects the upper airway and typically resolves within minutes of stopping exercise.
The key differences are where and how the restriction happens. EILO makes it hard to breathe in — you feel like you can't get air. Asthma makes it hard to breathe out, causing wheezing and chest tightness. EILO also resolves rapidly once you stop exercising, while asthma often persists or worsens. Most importantly, rescue inhalers don't help EILO — because it's not a lower airway condition
Yes. EILO responds well to speech therapy and functional breathing retraining. It does not typically respond to inhalers or medication. Treatment focuses on restoring control of the airway during exercise. Most athletes see meaningful improvement within a few weeks of consistent practice.
The gold standard for EILO diagnosis is continuous laryngoscopy during exercise (CLE), which uses a small camera to observe the larynx during peak exertion. At Functional Airway Lab, we begin with a thorough clinical assessment of your symptoms, history, and breathing mechanics, and can guide you toward formal diagnostic testing if needed.
EILO affects 5–8% of adolescents and is significantly more common in athletes — particularly female athletes in competitive, high-intensity sports like running, swimming, and soccer.
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4532 Telephone Rd.
Suite 114
Ventura, CA 93003
Functional Airway Lab
(805) 754-7768
karie@functionalairwaylab.com
EILO/VCD