Your throat, technically the pharynx, is a tube that carries food to your esophagus and air to your windpipe and larynx (voice box). Throat problems are common.
Sore throat
You've probably had one. The usual cause is a viral infection; others include allergies, strep bacteria, and stomach acid backing up into the esophagus (GERD).
Other throat problems
| Condition | What it is |
|---|---|
| Tonsillitis | inflamed tonsils |
| Croup | inflammation, usually in small children, with a barking cough |
| Laryngitis | a swollen voice box, causing a hoarse or lost voice |
| Cancer | of the throat |
Treatment
Most throat problems are minor and go away on their own. When treatment is needed, it depends on the problem.
Sources
Based on "Throat Disorders," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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