Disorders of the neck and throat can cause pain and interfere with your ability to speak, swallow, and eat. Your metabolism may be affected, leading to weakness, muscle aches, irritability, weight gain or loss, and sensitivity to heat or cold. Tumors that form in this region can spread to other areas of the body.
Thyroid Surgery
Thyroid Gland Removal When certain conditions interfere with normal thyroid production, surgical removal of the thyroid gland is performed. This is usually done when thyroid cancer has been detected, an otherwise benign thyroid nodule grows so large it causes problems, or when Graves’ disease (a disorder in which excess thyroid hormone is produced) does not…
Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy
The tonsils and adenoids occasionally develop problems requiring the attention of an ENT specialist. Tonsillitis Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils that leads to swelling, sore throat and difficulty swallowing. It is usually the result of a viral or bacterial infection and tends to affect children more frequently than any other age group. Symptoms…
Mouth Cancer
Oral cancer is any cancer that forms around the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of mouth, hard or soft palate. What Are the Symptoms of Oral Cancer? There are a variety of symptoms that could indicate oral cancer, including: Changes in texture or thickness to tissues inside the mouth White, irregular patches in the mouth or…
Throat Cancer
Tumors that develop in the throat, voice box, vocal cords or tonsils are referred to as throat cancer. People who smoke, use smokeless tobacco or drink alcohol are most at risk of developing this type of head and neck cancer. A history of HPV (Human Papilloma virus) infection or exposure to HPV is another known…
Lymph Node Biopsy
Lymph nodes are bean-shaped glands located in your neck, armpits, groin, chest and abdomen. They are part of your immune system and contain white blood cells that help fight off infections. Lymph nodes can become enlarged because of a viral infection, bacterial infection or an infection located somewhere else in your body; cancer can also…
Laryngitis
Laryngitis is swelling and irritation of the larynx (voice box). It causes hoarseness and, in some cases, voice loss. It can be acute (short-lived) or chronic (long-lasting), but is usually the result of a viral infection or vocal strain and clears up quickly. Persistent laryngitis that lasts longer than three to four weeks could be…
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a chronic digestive condition that causes painful heartburn and regurgitation for millions of Americans every year. It occurs when the contents of the stomach seep backward into the esophagus. Causes Normally, following a meal, a valve on your esophagus – the sphincter – closes, preventing hydrochloric acid…
Swallowing Disorders
When you swallow, you are chewing food and moving it to the esophagus, a tube that connects to the stomach. Dysphagia, the medical term for difficulty swallowing, is characterized by the sensation of food or liquid getting stuck in the throat or chest. There are numerous factors that can cause swallowing difficulty, most of them…