Swallowing Difficulties

Dysphagia is difficulty or pain while swallowing liquids, foods or saliva. It can feel like something is stuck in your throat or chest, and may cause coughing or choking. In extreme cases, dysphagia can make it hard to eat, causing weight loss and other medical problems. After an evaluation, treatment may include medication, diet changes, posture changes, and even exercises to strengthen facial muscles and improve coordination.

Voice Changes

When your vocal quality, pitch or volume differs from what is considered normal for your age, gender or cultural background, it may be indicative of a voice disorder. Causes of a voice disorder vary widely, as do appropriate treatments. Common treatment options range from lifestyle changes and speech therapy to medication, injections or surgery.

Vocal Cord Polyps and Nodules

Vocal cord nodules, cysts and polyps are noncancerous growths or bumps similar to calluses. They can cause your voice to sound raspy, breathy or hoarse. Your voice may crack or cut in and out as the bumps prevent your vocal cords from vibrating normally. Summa Health ENTs use sophisticated diagnostic tools and the latest techniques to identify and treat these conditions, including surgery when necessary.

Foreign Body Sensation in the Throat

Foreign body sensation is the persistent feeling that something is stuck in your throat. While the most common cause is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), it’s important to be evaluated by an ENT specialist who can make sure nothing is abnormal in the upper aerodigestive tract and screen the esophagus if needed.

Recurrent Tonsillitis

Frequent or recurrent tonsillitis is generally defined as more than seven episodes in one year. Infections may respond to antibiotics initially, but may return on a frequent basis. Surgery to remove tonsils (tonsillectomy) may be used to treat frequently recurring tonsillitis, chronic tonsillitis or bacterial tonsillitis that doesn't respond to antibiotic treatment.

Tonsil Stones

Chronic tonsillitis may cause tonsil stones, which are hard white or yellow formations made up of dead cells, saliva, and food buildup located on or within the tonsils. Symptoms often include the feeling that something is stuck in your throat, bad breath, a sore throat, swallowing difficulty and ear pain. Tonsil stones may come loose on their own, or they may need to be removed by a physician.

Tracheostomy Care

A tracheostomy is usually performed to bypass an obstructed upper airway; to clean and remove secretions from the airway; and to more easily and safely deliver oxygen to the lungs. To perform a tracheotomy, the Summa Health ENT surgeon creates an opening in your neck and places a tracheostomy tube. After hospital discharge, you will follow up with your ENT surgeon once or twice a year.

Laryngeal Masses/Lesions/Cancers

You may be referred to a Summa Health ENT if your primary care provider detects masses or lesions and suspects a cancer of the larynx or hypopharynx. Using a multidisciplinary approach which includes input from Summa Health oncologists, we will more completely examine your head and neck, including looking inside your larynx and hypopharynx.