WHAT IS OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY?
Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery By Dr. Chris Desouza
is a specialty concerned with the medical and surgical treatment of the ears, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck. The specialty encompasses cosmetic facial reconstruction, surgery of benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck, management of patients with loss. of hearing and balance, endoscopic examination of air and food passages and treatment of allergic, sinus, laryngeal, thyroid and esophageal disorders. To qualify for the American Board of Otolaryn-gology certification examination, a physician must complete five or more years of post-M.D. (or D.O.) specialty training.
What Causes A Sore Throat?
Sore throat is one symptom of an array of different medical disorders, Infections cause the majority of sore throats, and these are the sore throats that are contagious (can be passed from one person to another). Infections are caused by either viruses (such as the "flu," the "common cold or mononucleosis) or bacteria (such as "strep," mycoplasma or hemophilus)
The most important difference between viruses and bacteria is a is that bacteria respond well to antibiotic treatment, but viruses do not.
Viruses:
Most viral sore throats accompany the "flu" or a "cold" When a stuffy-runny nose, sneezing, and generalized aches and pains accompany the sore throat, it is probably caused by one of the hundreds of known viruses. These are highly contagious and cause epidemics in a community, especially in the winter. The body cures itself of a viral infection by building antibodies that destroy the virus, a process that takes about a week.
Sore throats accompany other viral infections such as measles, chicken pox, whooping cough, and croup Canker sores and lever blisters in the throat also can be very painful.
One special viral injection takes much longer than a week to be cured: infectious mononucleosis or "mono" This virus lodges in the lymph system. causing massive enlargement of the tonsils (with white patches on their surface and swollen glands in the neck, armpits and groin. It creates a severely sore throat care and cure, sometimes causes serious difficulties breathing, and can affect the liver, leading to jaundice Yellow skin and eyes. It also causes extreme fatigue that can last six weeks or more.
Mono:
"Mono" is a severe illness in a teenager or young adult, but it is less severe in a child. Since it can be transmitted by saliva, it has been nicknamed the "kissing disease. However, it can also be transmitted from mouth-to-hand to hand-to-mouth or by sharing of towels and eating utensils.
Bacteria:
Strep throat" is an injection caused by a particular strain of streptococcus bacteria. This infection. can also cause damage to the heart valves rheumatic fever and kidneys (nephritis). Streptococcal infections can also cause scarlet fever, tonsillitis, pneumonia, sinusitis and car infections.
Because of these possible complications, a "strep throat" should be treated with an antibiotic, "Strep infections usually cause a longer lasting sore throat than a "cold" or the "flu" But "strep" is not always easy to detect by examination, and a throat culture may be needed.
A newly developed "strep test" detects a streptococcal infection in about 1 minutes, instead of the 24 hours or more required for a culture to grow These tests, when positive, influence the physician to prescribe antibiotics. However, strep tests and cultures might not detect a number of other bacteria that can also cause severe sore throats that deserve antibiotic treatment. For example, severe and chronic cases of tonsillitis or tonsillar abscess may be culture negative, similarly, negative cultures are seen with diphtheria, and infections from oral sexual contacts will escape detection with "strep" culture tests.
Tonsillitis:
Tonsillitis is an infection of the lumpy tissues on each side of the throat toward the back of the tongue In the first two to three years of childhood, these tissues "catch infections, sampling the child's environment to help develop his immunities antibodies. Healthy tonsils do not remain infected. however, and frequent sore throats from tonsillitis suggest the infection is not fully eliminated between episodes. A recent study has shown that children who suffer from frequently recurrent episodes of tonsillitis (such as 3 to 4 episodes each year for several years) were healthier after their tonsils were surgically removed.
Infections in the nose and sinuses can also cause sore throats because mucus from the nose drains down into the throat and carries the infection with it.
The most dangerous throat infection is epiglottal. caused by bacteria that infect a portion of the larynx (voice box) and cause swelling that closes the airway. This infection is an emergency condition that requires prompt medical attention. Suspect it when swallowing is extremely painful (causing drooling), when speech is muffled and when breathing becomes difficult. A "strep" culture may miss this Infection and be negative.
Allergy:
Hayfever and allergy sufferers can get an irritated throat during an allergy attack the same way they get a stuffy, itchy nose, sneezing and post nasal drip. The same pollens and molds that irritate the Rose when they are inhaled also may irritate the Ihrel. People allergic to cat and dog dangers can suffer an irritated throat when they are around such animals. A very common allergy is house dust, and it is a special problem in the winter when a heating system blows dust throughout the house.
Irritation:
During the cold winter months, dry heat may create a recurring, mild sore throat with a parched feeling, especially in the mornings. This often responds to humidification of bedroom air and increased liquid intake Patients with a chronic stuffy nose, causing mouth breathing, also suffer with a dry throat. They need examination and treatment of the nose
An occasional cause of morning sore throat is regurgitation of stomach acids up into the back of the throat where they are extremely irritating. This can be avoided if you tilt your bedframe so that the head is elevated four to six inches higher than the foot. You should also avoid eating and drinking for one to two hours before retiring. You might find antacids helpful. If these fail, see your doctor.
Industrial pollutants and chemicals in the air can irritate the nose and throat, but by far the most common and pervasive air pollutant is tobacco smoke. It cannot be tolerated by many persons who are either allergic or over sensitive to its contents. Other Irritants include smokeless tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and spicy foods.
A person who strains his voice (yelling at a sports event, for example gets a sore throat not only from muscle strain, but also from the rough treatment of his throat membranes. Well-trained, experienced public speakers and singers learn not to abuse their throats and voices in this way. They produce loud voices by taking deep breaths and using their chest and abdominal muscles more than their throat muscles.