Best Throat Disorder Doctor in Orange County
Throat conditions can range from a temporary annoyance to something that’s very bothersome or worrisome.
Because of the variety of factors that can contribute to throat-related problems, a visit to the best throat disorder specialist in Orange County may be necessary if home-care efforts aren’t effective or if symptoms linger or become progressively worse and disruptive.
Patients often benefit from the early diagnosis and treatment of any of the following throat disorders.
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Chronic Coughing
The reason for coughing is to remove unwanted substances from the throat and lungs. It’s also a function that’s necessary to keep the airway clear and facilitate healthy respiration. However, coughing that’s chronic or persistent in nature can be debilitating and a sign of another condition that needs to be treated. The best throat disorder specialist in Orange County is often able to identify underlying causes of chronic coughing, which may include:
- Asthma
- Allergies
- Acid reflux
- Reactions to medications being taken for other conditions
- Vocal fold paralysis
Tonsillitis and Tonsil Stones
If the pair of soft tissue masses in the back of throat known as tonsils become inflamed, it’s a condition referred to as tonsillitis. The most common treatment for chronically inflamed tonsils is surgical removal of the irritated tissues (tonsillectomy). A related condition involves small pieces of debris that form where tonsils are located referred to as tonsil stones (tonsoliths). Surgery is rarely necessary for tonsil stones.
Sore Throats
Simply having a sore throat doesn’t always warrant a visit to the best throat disorder specialist in Orange County. Oftentimes, throats become irritated because of viral or bacterial infections or seasonal allergies. But if a sore throat comes on suddenly for no clear reason and sticks around for a long time, it could be a sign of a potentially serious problem. In instances like this, a throat disorder specialist typically performs a full workup to rule out certain conditions and make an accurate diagnosis.
Laryngopharyngeal Reflux
Sometimes, stomach acid moves up through the esophagus and into the throat and mouth. When this happens, the throat can become irritated. If what’s termed laryngopharyngeal reflux (LRP) is contributing to hoarseness, throat pain, difficulty swallowing, or persistent throat clearing, an esophagoscopy may be performed to rule out abnormal growths or other problems. A common treatment for LRP is dietary and lifestyle changes.
Throat Cancer
It’s not unusual for patients to be referred to the best throat disorder specialist in Orange County if an irregular growth is discovered during a physical examination or if throat cancer is suspected. Tests that may include examining a tissue sample and image tests can be performed to make a diagnosis and determine what type of throat cancer a patient has. Treatment options a throat specialist might suggest include:
- Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy
- Targeted drug therapy
- Surgical removal of all or part of the voice box (laryngectomy)
- Endoscopic surgery to remove affected tissues for early stage throat cancer
- Surgical removal of all or part of the throat (pharyngectomy)
- Surgical removal of cancerous lymph nodes
Patients seeing the best throat disorder specialist in Orange Countyoften enjoy added peace of mind by knowing what’s affecting their throat and what can be done about it. Not all throat-related conditions can be “cured,” as is sometimes the case if lymph nodes or glands in the throat or neck are affected in certain ways or underlying health issues are involved. However, a specialist will be able to help patients reach a point where symptoms are manageable with a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and newer treatment options.
