Voice, Throat, & Swallowing Care

Laryngopharyngeal reflux occurs when muscles in the digestive system do not properly close and stomach acid moves into the upper throat. This triggers inflammation in the throat, which may lead to symptoms such as the feeling of too much mucous in the throat, the feeling that something is stuck in the throat, chronic cough, throat clearing, and voice changes.

Most acid reflux is related to diet and overall health, and can be improved with dietary changes. When lifestyle changes are not enough to control the symptoms of acid reflux, doctors usually prescribe medications to treat the problem. There are instances in which surgery is used to repair the underlying cause of acid reflux as a last resort when lifestyle changes and medications are ineffective.

Acid reflux is rarely serious, but it is extremely unpleasant and interferes with quality of life, and over time, acid can damage the lining of the esophagus.

Most people have occasional difficulty swallowing, but when the issue is chronic, it can indicate a serious medical condition.

The medical term for difficulty swallowing is dysphagia. Swallowing disorders might be accompanied by a number of other symptoms, including:

• Drooling
• Discomfort in the throat or chest
• Unexpected weight loss and inadequate nutrition
• Coughing or choking while eating or drinking
• Frequent throat clearing

Dysphagia is common in older adults, though the condition can occur at any age. There are many causes, including:

• Ill-fitting dentures
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Stroke
• Tonsil infection
• Functional disorders of the throat
• Neurological disorders
• Thyroid disease
• Tumors
• Vocal cord paralysis

Treatment for difficulty swallowing varies based on the underlying cause. Treatment plans begin with an examination which might require multiple procedures to determine the cause. Once the cause is determined, dysphagia is usually treated with medication, swallowing therapy, or surgery. Neurological causes require ongoing treatment from a specialist.

Hoarseness is a term used to describe vocal changes, including breathiness, strained speaking, raspy voice, and pitch or volume problems that are usually caused by disorders of the vocal folds. When the vocal folds swell, have lumps on them, or don’t vibrate or open and close properly, these issues can result in hoarseness.

There are several potential causes of hoarseness, including:

• Acute laryngitis
• Vocal nodules
• Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
• Allergies
• Thyroid problems
• Neurological disorders
• Voice box trauma

Smoking can also trigger hoarseness or aggravate an existing situation.

Hoarseness is usually not serious, but there are times when it is a symptom of a serious condition. You should see a doctor if hoarseness lasts longer than two to three weeks, occurs with pain, difficulty swallowing, a lump in the neck, or coughing up blood, if there is a long-term loss of voice, or if you smoke or have smoked in the past.

Your doctor will determine the cause of your hoarseness and determine treatment based on that cause.

Snoring is caused when an obstruction of air flow through the passages at the back of the nose and mouth causes the tissue to vibrate. Most adults occasionally snore, but there are instances in which snoring is a serious problem and accompanied by sleep apnea, which involves a stoppage of breathing during sleep. And when children chronically snore it could be a symptom of problems with tonsils or adenoids.

Snoring can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Poor muscle tone in the throat or tongue
• Bulky throat tissue
• Elongated soft palate or uvula
• Obstructed nasal passages

Snoring is not always serious, but it can be. It can cause long-term health problems, especially when it interferes with quality or amount of sleep. It can also affect intimate relationships and cause health problems for people sharing your sleeping space.

Snoring can also be a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs when breathing pauses for more than 10 seconds at a time multiple times throughout the night. This decreases the oxygen in the blood and forces

Hoarseness is a term used to describe vocal changes, including breathiness, strained speaking, raspy voice, and pitch or volume problems that are usually caused by disorders of the vocal folds. When the vocal folds swell, have lumps on them, or don’t vibrate or open and close properly, these issues can result in hoarseness.

There are several potential causes of hoarseness, including:

• Acute laryngitis
• Vocal nodules
• Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
• Allergies
• Thyroid problems
• Neurological disorders
• Voice box trauma

Smoking can also trigger hoarseness or aggravate an existing situation.

Hoarseness is usually not serious, but there are times when it is a symptom of a serious condition. You should see a doctor if hoarseness lasts longer than two to three weeks, occurs with pain, difficulty swallowing, a lump in the neck, or coughing up blood, if there is a long-term loss of voice, or if you smoke or have smoked in the past.

Your doctor will determine the cause of your hoarseness and determine treatment based on that cause.