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Throat Disorders
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Lungs Breathing

Throat Disorders

The throat, or pharynx, is a vital tube for air and food, and while most throat disorders are minor, they can stem from various infections or conditions.

Overview

Your throat is a tube that carries food to your esophagus and air to your windpipe and larynx. The technical name for your throat is the pharynx.

Causes

Throat problems are common. You've probably had a sore throat. The cause is usually a viral infection, but other causes include allergies, infection with strep bacteria, or the leaking of stomach acids back up into the esophagus, called GERD.

Other Throat Problems

Other problems that affect the throat include:

  • Tonsillitis - inflammation of the tonsils
  • Cancer
  • Croup - inflammation, usually in small children, which causes a barking cough
  • Laryngitis - swelling of the voice box, which can cause a hoarse voice or loss of voice

Treatment & Management

Most throat problems are minor and go away on their own. Treatments, when needed, depend on the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

To reduce acid reflux irritation in the throat, avoid eating within three hours of bedtime, elevate the head of your bed by six to eight inches, and limit intake of trigger foods such as caffeine, chocolate, mint, and spicy or fatty meals. Wearing loose-fitting clothing around the waist and maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce pressure on the stomach, thereby decreasing the frequency of acid backing up into the esophagus and throat.
While only a rapid strep test or throat culture can confirm a bacterial infection, strep throat often presents with sudden onset, severe pain, white patches or pus on the tonsils, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Viral sore throats are more likely to be accompanied by other cold symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, or hoarseness. If you have a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit without a cough, it is more likely to be strep.
You should seek immediate care if you experience difficulty breathing, drooling, or an inability to swallow saliva. Other urgent signs include a muffled voice that sounds like you are speaking with a full mouth, severe neck stiffness, or a high fever accompanied by a rash. These symptoms may indicate a serious infection like epiglottitis or a deep neck space infection that requires emergency intervention.
Most cases of acute laryngitis caused by viral infections or vocal strain resolve within one to two weeks. However, if hoarseness persists for more than three weeks, you should see a doctor to rule out more serious conditions such as vocal cord nodules, polyps, or laryngeal cancer. Immediate evaluation is also necessary if you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing along with the voice changes.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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