Throat

Adenoid disease, or adenoid hypertrophy, is more common in children than adults because enlarged adenoids grow over the course of the first few years of life. Enlarged adenoids can become quite large (close to the size of a ping pong ball in some cases) and can close off airflow through the nasal passages. Chronic infections,…

Difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, occurs when it takes additional effort to move liquids and foods from your mouth to your stomach—an act that most of us tend to take for granted—or are experiencing pain when swallowing. In the most extreme of cases, you may not be able to swallow at all. Causes of Swallowing Difficulties…

Your voice is an often-overlooked part of your identity—it’s just a part of who you are, so when unexpected changes in your voice occur, it can be alarming. One of the most common changes in the voice is called hoarseness. A hoarse voice is usually caused by a condition in the larynx. Though they usually…

Laryngitis is defined as an inflammation of the voice box (larynx). Allergies, bacterial infections, and viruses often cause laryngitis. Though laryngitis can go away on its own, chronic laryngitis may require professional attention, and even surgery. Frequent laryngitis, vocal fold paralysis (also known as vocal cord paralysis), presbylaryngeus (the “bowed,” or “aging” voice), and polyps,…

Salivary glands in and around your throat are crucial to oral health and digestion. They secrete saliva into your mouth but can become blocked, infected, enlarged by tumors, or affected by other disorders or disease. Symptoms such as swelling, pain, or enlargement of the glands; dry mouth or eyes; mouth sores; or dry cough potentially…

Sore throats are a most irritating affliction, but they are usually treatable with the passage of time, antibiotics, or specialized treatment. The irritation that comes from swallowing when you have a sore throat is called pharyngitis, and is caused by an inflammation in your pharynx stemming from a viral or bacterial infection. Sore Throat Symptoms…

Tonsils are masses located at the back of the throat. They act as part of the lymph system, filtering bacteria and viruses. Occasionally, tonsils themselves become infected resulting in a condition known as tonsillitis. Tonsillitis can be painful and sometimes require surgery. However, in most cases your immune system can fight off infection of the…

Tonsillitis, a viral, bacterial, or immunological inflammation of the pharyngeal tonsils at the back of the throat, is especially common in children and may require surgery. Symptoms can range from fever, sore throat, or sleep apnea to bad breath, drooling, difficulty swallowing, or other problems, depending on the type of tonsillitis. Typical treatment includes antibiotics…

When the voice box muscles stop receiving nerve input from the vocal cords, a full or partial paralysis may have occurred. A total interruption of the nerve impulse is known as paralysis, and results in no movement of the vocal cords, while a paresis is a partial paralysis. Strangely, there seem to be no patterns…