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Throat, voice and swallowing

Sore throat, hoarseness, cough and swallowing trouble overlap. These guides describe usual patterns and the warning signs that need a clinician, without suggesting a diagnosis from symptoms alone.

Choose a topic for symptoms, home care, and warning signs. None of these pages replaces an examination.

Tonsillitis and Sore Throat

A sore throat can occur with viral infections, irritation, reflux, or other causes. Tonsillitis means inflammation of the tonsils and may cause pain, fever, swollen tonsils, or dif

Hoarseness and Voice Problems

Hoarseness is a change in voice quality, such as a rough, weak, breathy, or strained voice. It can follow a cold or heavy voice use, but persistent hoarseness can have other causes

Recurrent Tonsillitis

Repeated tonsil inflammation can disrupt eating, sleep or school/work. Decisions about surgery depend on documented history and examination.

Enlarged Tonsils

Tonsils vary in size. They matter when they contribute to repeated infection, swallowing problems or sleep-related breathing symptoms.

Sore Throat / Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis means throat inflammation. Viruses are common causes, but symptoms alone cannot reliably identify the cause.

Laryngitis

Laryngitis is inflammation of the voice box and often causes temporary hoarseness. Persistent symptoms need assessment.

Vocal Cord Nodules and Polyps

Nodules and polyps are vocal-fold growths that can affect voice quality. Their cause and management depend on laryngeal examination.

Vocal Cord Weakness or Paralysis

Vocal cord weakness can change voice and sometimes affect swallowing or breathing. Assessment identifies the cause and airway risks.

Difficulty Swallowing (Dysphagia)

Difficulty swallowing can arise from inflammation, muscle, nerve or structural problems. Persistent or progressive difficulty needs prompt evaluation.

Globus Sensation

Globus is a lump sensation when swallowing is otherwise possible. Reflux, irritation and muscle tension may contribute; context matters.

Reflux-Related Throat Symptoms

Stomach contents can reflux upward and irritate the throat or voice box, but similar symptoms have other causes.

Persistent Cough: Possible ENT Causes

Persistent cough can have several causes, including nasal drainage, asthma, reflux, infection or medicines. Assessment avoids assumptions.