There are a large number of diseases that can manifest themselves in the throat and mouth. There are also many different causes, whereby infections with bacteria, viruses or fungi in particular lead to complaints in the mouth and throat area. In addition to inflammations, changes in the tissues are also among the possible diseases of the throat area. In the following you will find a selection of the most common diseases of the mouth and throat.
Classification of diseases of the mouth and throat
In the following, the most common diseases of the mouth and throat are divided into:
- Disease in the oral cavity
- Diseases of the throat and pharynx
- Diseases of the vocal chords
- Diseases of the larynx
- Other diseases
- Symptoms in the neck and mouth area
Diseases in the oral cavity
The most common cause of inflammation of the palate is an inflammation of the oral mucosa, which can occur, for example, after injuries caused by braces. Sharp edges cause lesions in the oral mucosa, in which bacteria accumulate and thus trigger the inflammation. Other possible causes include burns caused by hot food or drinks, and infection with viruses and fungi.
You can find more information under our topic: Inflammation of the palateTonsillitis is an inflammation of the palatine tonsils (tonsils). It is caused by viruses or bacteria. In most cases it is the pathogen “Streptococcus type A”.
This is mainly transmitted during the cold season by droplet infection. The affected person suffers from sore throat, fever and a general feeling of illness. The palatal tonsils are swollen and reddened.
Angina tonsillaris is the more severe form of tonsillitis. You can find more information under our topic: TonsillitisTonsillitis is the so-called whistling glandular fever, which leads to an infection with the Epstein Barr virus. Characteristic features of Pfeiffer’s glandular fever are high fever, swollen lymph nodes and a significantly reduced general condition.
Severe sore throat and moderate to severe difficulty swallowing are also among the symptoms of the disease. The treatment consists of symptomatic therapy and bed rest. In most cases, patients are so severely affected that they have to be put on sick leave for several days or even weeks.
You can find more information under our topic: Pfeiffer’s glandular feverAlmond abscesses occur relatively rarely compared to tonsillitis. An abscess is a hollow space that has formed on or next to the tonsil and is filled with pus. In most cases, tonsil abscesses occur next to a purulent tonsillitis.
You can find more information under our topic: Almond abscessesA oral thrush – also called candidiasis – is an infection of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and pharynx with a certain type of fungus. In most cases this is the yeast fungus Candida albicans. More information can be found under our topic: Oral thrush The term “aphthae” refers to small inflamed bulges in the oral cavity, which are perceived by those affected as enormously disturbing and painful.
Aphthae can occur singly or at different places in the oral cavity. The whitish depressions are covered with a film, a so-called fibrin coating, and around the aphthae the oral mucosa is usually strongly reddened. Usually the aphthae heal within two weeks by themselves.
You can find more information under our topic: AphthaeThis is a very painful disease, which is usually caused by bacteria or viruses. However, salivary gland inflammation is often also caused by the presence of salivary stones. The inflammation usually occurs very suddenly and is accompanied by a swelling of the face, sometimes massive, and hardening of the diseased side.
The three large salivary glands are most frequently affected (sublingual salivary gland, mandibular salivary gland, parotid gland). You can find more information under our topic: Salivary gland inflammation One speaks of a sore throat when the mucous membranes of the throat become inflamed. Particularly in the winter months, sore throats often occur in connection with colds.
You can find more information under our topic: Inflammation of the throatIn children, inflammation of the throat is one of the most common diseases. In most cases, the inflammatory processes in the area of the pharyngeal mucosa are caused by a viral infection and/or in the context of a flu-like infection.Furthermore, the inflammation in the throat can also be caused by bacterial pathogens. Especially in affected children, infection with bacteria from the group of so-called beta-hemolytic streptococci (Strep-A) plays a decisive role.
You can find more information under our topic: Inflammation in the throatA pharyngeal carcinoma, colloquially known as throat cancer, is a malignant tumor that is localized in the head and neck region. In a large number of cases, throat cancer originates from the mucous membrane that lines the throat area. Throat cancer is mainly promoted by external environmental influences, such as alcohol and tobacco consumption.
Often throat cancer only leads to symptoms or visible changes in the late stages. You can find more information under our topic: Throat cancerThe acute form is usually a descending infection of the upper respiratory tract (nose or throat), which spreads to the vocal cords. In most cases, viruses are the cause, but infection by bacteria is also possible.
The most common pathogens are cold viruses (rhino- or adenoviruses), influenza viruses (Haemophilus influenzae) or pneumococcus (Streptococcus pneumoniae). Furthermore, strong vocal stress can also lead to irritation of the vocal cords. You can find more information under our topic: Inflammation of the vocal cordsRecurrent paresis (vocal cord or vocal fold paralysis) refers to the weakness or failure of the laryngeal muscles and vocal cords as a result of damage to the vocal cord nerve (laryngeal nerve).
A unilateral recurrent paresis results from the failure of the vocal nerve on this side. This leads to limited mobility of the vocal cord, which in affected patients causes moderately pronounced hoarseness and a loss of volume in the voice. In the case of bilateral recurrent paresis, i.e. a failure of the entire larynx muscles, the symptoms are more severe.
You can find more information under our topic: Recurrent nerve palsyVocal cord paralysisTypical symptom of a larynx disease and laryngeal pain is hoarseness. If it lasts longer than three days, a clarification by a specialist for ear, nose and throat medicine is recommended. A dry cough can also be caused by a laryngeal disease.
It manifests itself mainly through a constant, unproductive irritable cough. You can find more information under our topic: Laryngeal pain Epiglottitis is an inflammation of the epiglottis. It is triggered by bacteria, especially by the pathogen Haemophilus Influenza type B (especially in children), by pneumococci and by S. aureus in adults.
The danger of epiglottitis is the imminent obstruction of the airways due to severe swelling. Patients complain of severe sore throat, difficulty in swallowing or even shortness of breath. If epiglottitis is suspected, a doctor or clinic should be consulted immediately.
You can find more information under our topic: EpiglottitisLaryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx. The inflammation is caused by either bacteria or viruses. The first symptoms are difficulty swallowing and hoarseness, up to the temporary loss of voice.
In addition, coughing usually occurs. In most cases, acute laryngitis is associated with a cold. A distinction is made between laryngitis, in which the larynx is inflamed, and glottitis, in which the vocal chords are affected by the inflammation.
You can find more information under our topic: Laryngeal InflammationThe pseudocroup is an inflammation of the larynx with laryngitis, which usually occurs as an additional infection in nasal inflammation, sinusitis and pharyngitis. Infants are particularly frequently affected, in which the viral infection causes swelling in the area of the laryngeal tissue and provides typical signs (symptoms) of “barking” cough, hoarseness and shortness of breath. You can find more information under our topic: PseudocroupDiphtheria has become rather rare today due to the appropriate vaccination.
It is transmitted by the Corynebacterium diphtheriae and leads to reddened throat, sore throat and difficulty swallowing. The cheek mucous membrane and the tonsils have a grayish white coating. The speech is cloudy.
In addition, the general condition deteriorates, fever and fatigue. In some cases, diphtheria diseases can lead to life-threatening courses. The treatment consists of physical rest and symptomatic therapy as well as forced antibiotic therapy.
Tuning lip nodules are counted among the benign tumors of the larynx.They can occur at any age and cause a significant reduction in our voice and speech quality. Hoarseness and rough voice are the main symptoms. Vocal fold nodules can be treated well by sparing the voice or by minor surgery.
You can find more information under our topic: vocal fold nodulesLaryngeal papillomatosis is a benign tumor disease of the larynx and mostly of the vocal cords (larynx = larynx). It is characterized by the formation of small, wart-like mucous membrane growths called papillomas. Laryngeal papillomatosis is caused by the HP virus (human papilloma virus).
Laryngeal papillomatosis is usually easily operated and treatable. You can find more information under our topic: Laryngeal papillomatosisThere are also malignant neoplasms of the neck. Laryngeal carcinoma should be mentioned here in particular.
It is a rare but quite aggressive new formation of the larynx. There are three forms of laryngeal carcinoma, which differ in their location. Above all, excessive alcohol and cigarette consumption are held responsible for new formations in this area.
The first symptom of a laryngeal carcinoma is hoarseness, which is not associated with a cold and lasts longer than two weeks. In this case an ENT physician should be consulted in any case. You can find more information under our topic: Laryngeal carcinomaLaryngocarcinomaLaryngocarcinoma Inflammations of the esophagus can also lead to swallowing disorders and foreign body sensation.
Patients whose immune system is weakened may also always have oesophagitis caused by a fungus, which can trigger corresponding swallowing disorders. In some rare cases a foreign body sensation can be triggered by a swallowed foreign body. Food bites that are not chewed properly can under certain circumstances get stuck in the area of the epiglottis and thus lead to swallowing problems.
In very few cases foreign bodies are swallowed. Children are particularly frequently affected. If no cause can be found for swallowing disorders and foreign body sensation, an ENT physician or an internist should always perform a pharynoscopy of the throat.
You can find more information under our topic: OesophagitisA swollen and enlarged thyroid gland is also known as a goiter. It occurs most frequently due to an insufficient supply of the trace element iodine (iodine deficiency). Thyroid diseases such as thyroiditis can also cause swelling.
You can find more information under our topic: Swelling of thyroid gland neck cysts are congenital cystic swellings of the neck, which are usually visible and palpable and can become inflamed. Cysts are hollow spaces filled with fluid. Usually neck cysts occur in children and are diagnosed before the age of 6.
If there is no inflammation, a cyst may be free of symptoms or only cause a slight feeling of pressure in the neck area. If a cyst becomes inflamed, it can lead to redness, fever and severe pain. You can find more information under our topic: Neck cystA neck fistula is a tube-like connecting passage between the inner throat and a punctiform opening in the neck.
They are congenital malformations that are caused by degenerative disorders during the development of the neck fistula in the womb. A neck fistula is noticeable as a painless swelling or thickening on the neck, otherwise the affected persons usually have no complaints. If the fistula becomes inflamed, there is a severe swelling in the neck area and difficulty swallowing. You can find more information under our topic: Neck fistula
All articles in this series: