Miley Cyrus has proven her longevity and love for her craft as a musician, known for her extensive career, spanning from her time as Disney’s Hannah Montana, to her recent achievements as a singer. Recently she shared the reason behind her signature singing style, sharing that her famous raspy voice is due to a rare voice condition called Reinke’s edema. She explained that this condition also makes singing live incredibly challenging. People and fans had noticed the shift in Miley’s voice, which is much more apparent when you listen to her early music or interviews, and compare them to her current songs. During an interview in Apple Music’s "The Zane Lowe Show," Cyrus described Reinke’s edema as a form of "abuse of the vocal cords" that she’s had for a long time. She admitted that her lifestyle in her early twenties, which included a lot of late nights as a performer, staying up late, drinking, and smoking after shows. She admitted that these things didn't help her condition, as her voice continued to shift. However, she emphasized that these habits didn't cause the condition, as her voice always had that unique quality. How Did Her Voice Change Over Time?Cyrus explained that she has a large polyp on her vocal cord, which gave her a lot of tone and the texture to her voice, saying it made her who she is today. Despite making her voice distinctive, the condition makes performing live very difficult. She compared it to "running a marathon with ankle weights on." Even just talking by the end of the day can be exhausting, leading to a deep, tired vocal sound that her mom notices. What is Reinke's Edema? According to StatPearls journal, Reinke’s edema is a condition that causes the vocal cords to swell. It's also known by other names like vocal cord edema or polypoid corditis. While it's most common in people who smoke for a long time, it can also affect individuals with acid reflux or those who frequently use their voice, like singers. In some cases, the swelling can even form growths that look like small polyps on the vocal cords. This condition is quite rare, affecting less than 1% of the population and it causes a noticable shift in a person’s vocal abilities you may notice how people who have this condition have Hoarseness or a raspy voiceA deeper-sounding voiceTrouble speaking loudlyWhat Causes Reinke's Edema? The Cleveland Clinic explains that the most common reason people develop Reinke's edema is long-term smoking. The chemicals in smoke severely irritate the vocal cords. Other things that can lead to this condition include Acid reflux (GERD/LPR), which is a condition where stomach acid can travel up to your throat and irritate your vocal cords. Being around irritants for a long time can also be a cause as this means breathing in chemicals or other substances that can harm your throat. Overusing or straining your voice, meaning you may be constantly speaking, singing, or shouting in ways that put too much stress on your vocal cords can also contribute. Is There A Cure?There are different ways to treat Reinke’s edema, including both surgery and non-surgical methods. Surgery might involve using a laser or small tools to remove the swollen tissue. Non-surgical approaches include speech therapy and addressing the root causes, such as quitting smoking or taking medication for acid reflux. However, Miley Cyrus is currently choosing to avoid surgery. She's not willing to sever the tissue that causes this vocal fry, because of the chance that she wakes up from the surgery and doesn’t sound like herself. Despite the difficulties it presents performing, Cyrus sees the condition as an integral part of what makes her voice so unique.