The throat extends from the back of the mouth down to the top of the respiratory track. Its primary function is to filter out bacteria, which cause infection. Most people, at some time during their lives, will experience the nuisance of a sore throat. Sore throats can be caused by many medical conditions such as viral or bacterial infections, allergies, tumors or acid reflux disease. Minneapolis and Wisconsin area residents choose Midwest ENT Specialists because they know they can trust our highly skilled and dedicated group of ENT physicians to make the best recommendation for their healthcare.
Also known as GERD (gastrointestinal esophageal reflux disease), acid reflux disease is commonly seen in our Minneapolis and Wisconsin area patients, and it has been estimated that over 60 million adult Americans suffer from this disease.
The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a muscle that connects the esophagus with the stomach. During normal functioning, the LES opens to allow food in and closes to prevent food and stomach acids from refluxing back into the system. In individuals suffering from acid reflux disease, the LES does not close properly, allowing damaging stomach acids to flow back into the system and, in some cases, into the throat, causing a sore throat. A trained ENT doctor can adequately examine and diagnose GERD and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Acid reflux disease can often be controlled by acid-reducing medications. If left untreated, some believe it can be a precursor to esophageal cancer.
Even more commonly than acid reflux disease, our Minneapolis area physicians discover bacterial or viral infections to be the root cause of many sore throats. Viral infections are usually caused by a cold or the flu. The body can usually fight off viral infections and most people return to normal within a few days. Bacterial infections can be more serious and usually require antibiotics. Bacterial infections can lead to tonsillitis and ear infections. Streptococcal infection (strep throat) is often the cause of bacterial infections and is highly contagious.
People suffering from allergies often find their throats irritated by such allergens as pollen, mold and animal dander. A qualified physician can determine the nature of your allergies and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
A sore throat can also be associated with a tumor or growth in the throat. This type of tumor is often associated with long-term tobacco and alcohol use and is often accompanied by pain in the ear, hoarseness and a lump in the neck. Our medical professionals work closely with local oncologists to uncover the etiology of throat tumors.
If you think you suffer from acid reflux disease, a consultation at one of our four St. Paul suburb clinic locations with one of our board-certified otolaryngologists can be arranged by contacting our clinic.
The tonsils are lymph tissue located on either side of the throat. They are part of the immune system and aid in fighting disease. Tonsillitis most often occurs in children ranging from age 5 to 15; however, our physicians have treated patients of all ages with this condition. A tonsillectomy is recommended only after thorough evaluation and consideration of alternative treatments. Tonsillectomy is one of the most common major surgeries.
Tonsillitis may be a viral infection. The most common cause of tonsillitis is streptococcus - the same germ that causes strep throat. Some of the symptoms of pediatric tonsillitis include a sore and swollen throat, a fever, and difficulty breathing and swallowing. The tonsils may also have a gray, yellow or white coating on them. Highly contagious, tonsillitis can be spread by coughing, sneezing or touch.
One of our experienced otolaryngologists in our Western Wisconsin or St. Paul area centers can determine an appropriate treatment plan. Many cases of tonsillitis can be treated with a strong regimen of antibiotics. For recurrent or chronic tonsillitis, a tonsillectomy may be recommended. The following list of indications can help determine the need for tonsillectomy. The list was compiled based on the Minneapolis/St. Paul region standards of care and national standards.
Like the tonsils, the adenoids are part of the immune system of lymph tissue. It is thought that this lymph tissue acts as an immune barrier to fight infections transmitted through the mouth and nose. However, an infected adenoid or enlarged adenoid can block the nose or Eustachian tubes, often causing a recurrent or chronic middle ear infection known as otitis media. An infected or enlarged adenoid can also cause a chronic buildup of mucus and bacteria that may lead to infection of the nose (rhinitis) or even infection of the sinuses (sinusitis). When a child's nasal passages are blocked by an enlarged adenoid, symptoms such as snoring or constant mouth breathing often appear. In younger children, blockage can interfere with respiration, especially at night when the muscles of the throat are relaxed. This condition, known as sleep apnea, can cause actual pauses in a child's breathing and can be a significant threat to a child's health. Children with sleep apnea appear to work hard at breathing during sleep, may perspire, be restless or change positions frequently. Inability to breathe through the nose with chronic mouth breathing may also cause abnormalities in dental and facial growth.
If your child is exhibiting the symptoms of enlarged or infected adenoids, we encourage you to schedule an evaluative appointment with one of our otolaryngologists at a Western Wisconsin or St Paul clinic. Your physician may elect to treat infected or enlarged adenoids with one or several courses of antibiotic therapy. However, if this fails to resolve the problem or has been tried previously, a surgical procedure to remove the adenoids, called an adenoidectomy, may be recommended.
If you need evaluation for acid reflux disease or sore throat, contact our otolaryngology practice in Woodbury, Eagan, Maplewood or St. Paul.
Interesting Throat Fact: The hyoid bone, located in the throat, is the only bone in the body not attached to another bone.
Midwest ENT Clinics
We also provide services in the following Western Wisconsin cities:
Contact Midwest ENT Specialists for an appointment with one of our ENT doctors in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Twin Cities areas or Western Wisconsin by completing the form below.
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