Throat Disorders

<p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>Other problems that affect the throat include:</p><ul><li>Tonsillitis - inflammation of the tonsils</li><li>Cancer</li><li>Croup - inflammation, usually in small children, which causes a barking cough</li><li>Laryngitis - swelling of the voice box, which can cause a hoarse voice or loss of voice</li></ul><p>Most throat problems are minor and go away on their own.

Treatments, when needed, depe