The throat is a muscular tube that extends from the back of the nose to the neck. It contains the pharynx, larynx, tonsils and adenoids, and serves as a passageway for air, food and liquid. Breathing, eating and speaking are all dependent on a healthy throat. Diseases that originate in this organ can affect the thyroid, parathyroid and salivary glands, and impact many of your body’s regular processes. Fortunately, many of these disorders are easily treatable. Our expert staff is trained to diagnose and treat a range of throat problems, and will come up with a solution to alleviate your symptoms and improve your daily life.
Head & Neck Masses
Head and neck cancers are those that grow in and around the throat, larynx, nose, sinuses and mouth. The majority of these cancers are squamous cell carcinomas that form in the cells lining the mucosal surfaces of the head and neck. They often spread to the lymph nodes, but are highly curable if discovered early.…
Hoarseness
Hoarseness is an inflammation of the larynx that results in a change in the voice, making it sound breathy, raspy, scratchy or strained. There may be changes in volume and pitch, as well. Hoarseness falls under the medical category of dysphonia, which refers to voice impairment or any sort of difficulty speaking. Causes Hoarseness is…
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…
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a disorder in which breathing is interrupted periodically throughout the night. These pauses, or gaps, in breathing may be accompanied by choking or gasping but rarely awaken the sleeping individual. An estimated 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, many of them unaware of their condition. Causes There are two main types…
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…
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. Symptoms of Throat Cancer Many symptoms of throat cancer are associated with other, less serious…
Thyroid
The thyroid and parathyroid are separate glands located in the neck. Each serves an important function: the thyroid generates a hormone that regulates the body’s metabolism, while the parathyroid controls the level of calcium in the blood. Together, they are responsible for many of the body’s daily functions. Thyroid Conditions The thyroid gland produces thyroid…
Tonsils & Adenoids
The tonsils and adenoids are part of the lymphatic system and serve as defenders of the immune system, protecting your body by preventing germs and bacteria from entering through your mouth and nose. Occasionally, they will develop problems themselves, requiring the attention of an ENT specialist. Tonsil & Adenoid Problems The tonsils (located in the…
Vocal Cords
Vocal cords, also called vocal folds, play an important role in how we produce sounds. First there must be air in your lungs, which occurs through the act of inhaling. The air is then pushed through the lungs into your windpipe. At the top of the windpipe sit your vocal cords, which stay open when…
