The Importance of Your Neck and Throat
The neck plays an essential role in supporting the head and connecting the brain to organs in the torso. A primary feature of the neck is the throat, containing the pharynx, or the tubes connecting the stomach and lungs to the mouth and nose as well as the larynx, or the voice box.
Infection, swelling, tumors and other forms of blockage in the throat inhibit your capacity to eat, speak or breath properly. A decreased capacity to perform these critical body functions can lead to poor communication, poor nutrition, shortness of breath, inadequate sleep and other threats to your overall health.
Because of the vital role of the neck and throat, discomfort and pain in this area of your body is always cause for concern and can be indicators of a variety of negative health conditions with the potential to produce more serious ongoing health concerns.
Common Head and Neck Symptoms and Disorders
General symptoms of head and neck disorders, alone or in combination, which should motivate you to schedule an assessment with an ear, nose and throat specialist typically include:
Sore throat or throat pain
Redness in your throat
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty breathing, especially while sleeping
Enlarged tonsils or white patches on the back of your throat
Enlarged lymph nodes
Fatigue that is ongoing, or chronic
Fever and body aches
General symptoms of head and neck disorders, alone or in combination, which should motivate you to schedule an assessment with an ear, nose and throat specialist typically include:
Enlarged Tonsils/Tonsillitis
Enlarged tonsils, or tonsillitis, which involve the inflammation of two pads located on each side of the back of the throat, is one of the most common conditions we diagnose and treat, especially among children. Viral or bacterial infections are the primary cause of the enlarged tonsils, which typically goes away as the infection runs its course. When tonsillitis becomes a chronic health concern and does not respond to other treatment options, the common treatment is the surgical removal of the tonsils. This minor procedure has a relatively short recovery period for children, but can be a bit more complicated for adults.
Sleep Apnea
Reflux Disorders
Head and Neck Masses
Throat Cancer
Thyroid Disorders
Hoarseness
What to Expect During a Neck and Throat Consultation
If you or a loved one experience various problems in your neck and/or throat for more than three weeks without the additional symptoms commonly associated with colds and flu, it should be cause for concern.
Our otolaryngology specialists are able to diagnose neck and throat conditions and provide the treatment options best suited for your unique case. During your first appointment, our ENT specialists will review your medical history and symptoms, and perform a complete examination of your neck and throat.
If necessary, your specialist may perform various types of blood tests, cultures, laryngoscopy or biopsies to help determine the cause of your neck or throat difficulties. Treatment options might include the use of antibiotics or other medication therapies, or various types of surgical procedures to correct the issue. In most cases, a higher rate of successful treatment is achieved through early detection and treatment, so don’t put off seeking the help of our ENT specialists if you are struggling with neck and/or throat issues.
