Introduction
Throat problems are a very diversified topic. It ranges from the common cold to laryngitis to a smoker’s cough. Voice strain in a singer can cause hoarseness and the singer may have to cancel a concert. In this case it likely is the vocal cords that are irritated.
In epiglottitis the entrance to the airways can get all swollen up to the point where it becomes life threatening and the patient must be intubated just to safe that person’s life. Often epiglottitis develops because of a certain strain of Haemophilus infection during the winter season.
Throat Problems
Throat cancer is a major problem that needs to be taken care of early to get the best results. Despite the anti-smoking campaign there are new cases of throat cancer, particularly among women.
There are several links where throat problems are dealt with. Under a separate heading of hoarseness, which is linked to throat problems I am dealing with the various causes of hoarseness. Many various causes can lead to hoarseness, like craniofacial anomalies, fungal larynx infection, diphtheria, tuberculosis, lupus, leprosy, syphilis and many others.
References:
1. James Chin et al., Editors: Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 17th edition, 2000, American Public Health Association.
2. Behrman: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 16th ed., 2000, W. B. Saunders Company
4. Noble: Textbook of Primary Care Medicine, 3rd ed.,2001 Mosby, Inc.
5. Abeloff: Clinical Oncology, 2nd ed.,2000,Churchill Livingstone, Inc.
6. Ferri: Ferri’s Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment, 2004 ed., Copyright © 2004 Mosby, Inc.
7. Rakel: Conn’s Current Therapy 2004, 56th ed., Copyright © 2004 Elsevier
