A sore throat, also known as acute pharyngitis, is characterized by discomfort, irritation, or scratchiness in the throat, and painful swallowing. The most common cause of a sore throat is infection, primarily viral and often associated with cold or flu. It can also result from a bacterial infection, commonly known as strep throat (streptococcal infection), which requires treatment with antibiotics. Rarely, allergies or heavy smoking can manifest as sore throat. Symptoms typically include fever, cough, body pain, headache, and a change in voice. In severe cases, the patient may struggle to swallow their own saliva.

Dr ENT Recommends Urgent Attention Needed if : (RED Flags)
There is drooling of saliva, difficulty in breathing occurs, difficulty in opening the mouth (trismus) is observed, fever exceeds 37.8 degrees Fahrenheit, there is blood in saliva, a painful lump in the neck is noticed, your voice changes to a "hot potato voice.", and there is swelling of the face.
If you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, it is essential to seek an assessment and treatment from an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Specialist.

Dysphagia, also known as difficulty in swallowing or painful swallowing, is a condition characterized by pain during swallowing, typically without any accompanying fever or signs of infection.
The underlying causes of dysphagia can range from simple factors such as stress, allergies (allergic pharyngitis), dryness of the throat (commonly seen in the elderly), irritants, chemical exposure, muscle strains from yelling or prolonged loud talking, to more serious conditions like gastric acid reflux or neurological issues affecting the nerves responsible for swallowing or lumps, cysts and tumours.

If this symptom persists over a prolonged period, patients may experience unexplained weight loss and generalized weakness

Dr ENT Recommends seeking an early diagnosis and thorough evaluation by an ENT Specialist, which may include a camera test. If you're experiencing symptoms of dysphagia, don't hesitate to meet.

Globus Pharyngeus is a symptom that can create the sensation of a lump in your throat. It can result from increased muscle tension in the neck, throat irritation, and stress. The primary complaint associated with globus pharyngeus is a feeling of something sticking in the throat and, at times, pain while swallowing saliva, though it typically doesn't cause any difficulty in eating or drinking. This sensation can be heightened by stress and anxiety, and symptoms may vary from day to day. Globus Pharyngeus is more commonly reported in females under the age of 30.

Dr ENT Recommends seeking an early diagnosis and thorough evaluation by an ENT Specialist, which may include a camera test. If you're experiencing symptoms of dysphagia, don't hesitate to meet.

Reflux laryngitis, also known as Acid laryngitis, is a condition that results from the irritation and swelling of the vocal folds or voice box due to the backflow of stomach fluids, specifically acid, into the throat. This backflow is referred to as laryngopharyngeal reflux, where acid reaches the throat level and causes irritation. This condition is typically secondary to gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as Hyperacidity.

The symptoms of reflux laryngitis include frequent throat clearing, a sensation of a lump in the throat, a persistent need to cough or clear the throat, hoarseness of voice, and coughing, often more pronounced at night. Additionally, individuals may experience a sour taste in the mouth, with or without heartburn. Symptoms tend to worsen with the consumption of spicy foods, caffeine, and fizzy drinks.

Dr ENT Recommends: Reflux Laryngitis is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed within the community. Patients seek ENT help only after attempting various alternative treatments with little success, yet the condition persists. Fortunately, it can be easily diagnosed with the assistance of a camera test, and the treatment approach is typically conservative and rarely surgical.

The oral cavity is susceptible to ulcers or sores, especially when the immune system is weakened. The primary causes of oral ulcers include viral infections like herpes (aphthous ulcers), bacterial infections, fungal infections such as candidiasis or oral thrush, trauma (such as cheek bites or jagged teeth), ill-fitting dentures, consumption of hot or spicy foods, reverse smoking, skin disorders like lichen planus, blood disorders like leukaemia, drug allergies, vitamin deficiencies (such as vitamin C deficiency), exposure to radiotherapy (resulting in radiation stomatitis), and cancers.

Common complaints associated with oral ulcers include pain, difficulty in chewing food, trouble with speech, and an inability to consume hot or spicy foods.

Dr ENT Recommends having oral ulcers examined by an ENT Specialist, as sometimes the underlying cause can be a sexually transmitted disease or cancer which need urgent attention.

Tonsils are soft, round collections of lymphoid tissue located on either side of the throat. They play a crucial role in our immune system (especially children), as they help trap germs that can make us sick. Tonsillitis, or tonsillopharyngitis, is an infection of the tonsils caused by either bacterial or viral agents. Common symptoms include throat pain, fever, difficulty in swallowing, changes in voice, malaise, and earaches. Tonsillitis is most common in children, but it can affect people of all ages.

Dr ENT Recommends that, If the symptoms persists beyond a day ,and worsen it is essential to seek an ENT consultation to avoid complications, such as the formation of an abscess ( pus ) around the tonsil.

For some individuals, the frequency of infections increases, leading to recurrent tonsillitis and eventually chronic tonsillitis. In such cases, the recommended treatment is the surgical removal of the tonsils.

Tonsil stones, also known as 'tonsilloliths,' are small, whitish lumps with a cheesy or hard consistency that can be found on the surface or inside the tonsils. They are typically present on one side but can also occur on both sides. Tonsil stones often result in bad breath, a foreign body sensation, and a history of frequent throat infections. Over time, they can increase in size and may require removal at an ENT clinic. In cases of long-standing and recurrent issues, complete removal of the tonsils may be necessary.

Dr ENT Recommends professional help for the removal of tonsil stones. While many people attempt to remove these stones at home, doing so can lead to the formation of larger stones over time and may cause injury to deeper structures within the tonsil bed. It is advisable to consult with an ENT Specialist for the professional removal of tonsil stones.

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be embarrassing and, in some cases, may even cause anxiety. While it's commonly believed that teeth are the main cause of bad breath, in reality, it is often the tongue where a large amount of bacteria can grow, leading to unpleasant breath. Additionally, tonsil stones or tonsillolith can also contribute to bad breath.

Dr ENT Recommends seeking a detailed ENT evaluation as a necessary step in addressing bad breath issues.

Hoarseness of voice, or dysphonia, is a condition in which the voice sounds raspy, strained, breathy, and one must make an extra effort to speak or be heard. Hoarseness of the voice can be due to infections, mostly viral or bacterial.

Additionally, non-infective causes of voice changes include the presence of small non-cancerous lumps on the vocal cords, such as cysts, nodules, or polyps, as well as malignant (cancerous) lesions on and around the vocal cords. Other factors contributing to voice changes include acid reflux, heavy smoking, aging, stroke, thyroid problems, or neurological disorders.

Dr ENT Recommends that if the Hoarseness is not resolved within a couple of days with over the counter medications, it requires a medical attention. If it persists for more than two weeks, despite taking medications, an ENT consultation and a camera test are essential.

Vocal Nodules, also known as Singer's Nodules, are small, non-cancerous bead-sized lumps that can develop on the vocal cords. They result from repeated overuse or accidental misuse of the voice. This condition is commonly found in professions that require excessive use of the voice, such as singers, teachers, politicians, and Symptoms of vocal nodules include a hoarse voice, raspy sounds, strain while speaking, breathiness, and the need to exert extra effort to be heard. In some cases, individuals may experience a split voice.

Dr ENT Recommends early diagnosis and treatment, which can be easily achieved by examining the inside of the voice box with a tiny camera on a thin tube.

Vocal cord cysts are tiny, fluid-filled lumps that can develop on the vocal cords due to vocal cord abuse or misuse for long periods of time, often exacerbated by factors such as allergies and smoking. They are most commonly found in men between the ages of 30 to 50 and typically appear on only one side of the vocal cord.

The main symptoms associated with vocal cord polyps include a change in voice, difficulty in breathing, intermittent choking or experiencing a double voice, and sometimes aphonia or complete loss of voice.

Dr ENT Recommends diagnosis and treatment, which can be easily accomplished by examining the inside of the voice box with a camera test.