Throat

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, the fleshy areas at the back of the throat, caused by a virus or bacteria. This condition is common in children and spreads through contact with throat or nasal fluids. The tonsils become swollen, red and painful and may be coated with a yellow or white substance.

Most cases of tonsillitis are caused by a virus, although it can sometimes be caused by the same bacteria that causes strep throat. Tonsillitis symptoms are similar to those of strep throat or a common cold and may include:

Sore throat
Red, swollen tonsils
Difficulty swallowing
Fever
Headache
Swollen lymph nodes
Laryngitis

Your doctor will usually be able to identify tonsillitis by finding red and swollen tonsils with spots or sores on them. A rapid strep test may also be performed to determine the cause. Tonsillitis can usually be treated at home through rest and drinking plenty of liquids. Antibiotics may be prescribed for bacterial infections. Surgery to remove the tonsils may be recommended if a child has had several serious throat infections in a short period of time.

Swallowing Problems (Dysphagia)

There are many possible causes for a person to suffer difficulty or pain when swallowing food or liquid. The most common causes include:

Conditions that narrow the esophagus – Sore, swollen or infected throat; esophageal strictures caused by lodged pills or other objects; gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn); tumors or cancers.
Conditions that compress the esophagus from the outside – Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland); tumors, cancers or other abnormalities of the throat, larynx, spine and neck.
Dry mouth – Sjogren syndrome, nerve or brain damage, medication side-effects.
Muscle weakness – Autoimmune or nerve disorders; nerve or brain damage such as ALS or stroke.

Patients with dysphagia will be asked about the exact sensations they feel when swallowing; how quickly the problem appeared and how long it has been occurring; whether they are taking any medications that could cause these side-effects; what other symptoms they are experiencing, if any; and whether there is a family history of such problems. If a physical exam is not enough to make a diagnosis, other tests may be ordered such as X-rays of the upper GI tract or brain, endoscopy of the esophagus and stomach, or blood sampling. Treatment and recovery depend on the underlying condition.

Thyroid Nodules

Thyroid nodules are abnormal growths on the thyroid gland that appear as lumps in the throat. The cause of a thyroid nodule is not known, but they occur most often in older adults, and are usually not cancerous. However, thyroid nodules require medical attention to help prevent any complications.

There are several different types of nodules that can form in the thyroid gland. While many do not cause any symptoms, others can affect hormone production and may lead to weight loss, nervousness or a rapid heartbeat. Some of the different types of nodules include:

Colloid nodule
Follicular adenoma
Thyroid cyst
Inflammatory nodule
Thyroid cancer
Multinodular goiter

Aside from thyroid cancer, these nodules are benign, but can still lead to complications like difficulty breathing, pain and discomfort and require medical attention. Larger nodules may restrict breathing or swallowing, while those that cause hyperthyroidism can lead to heart problems or osteoporosis.

Treatment for thyroid nodules depends on the type of nodule and your overall health. Some benign nodules may not need treatment and can simply be monitoring by patient and doctor, while others may require hormone therapy, radioactive iodine or alcohol ablation. Surgery may be needed for cancerous nodules and involve removal of the nodule through a total or near-total thyroidectomy. A thyroidectomy requires lifelong hormone treatment to counteract the lack of natural hormone production.

It is important to see a doctor to decide which kind of treatment, if any, is recommended for your thyroid nodule. Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced doctors.

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