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What Causes Hoarseness, Sore Throat And Pain In Right Arm?
Question: I have been getting hoarse at work, especially when in air conditioing for extended periods. I also have been having sore throats and now some shooting pains down my throat which started out upon some movements of my right arm and now seem to occur spontaneously on occasion when I breath.Seems like a gas going down my throat, but very fleeting. An ENT looked at my larynx with a tube through my nose a few months ago and said there was hardened pus on my vocal cords. He prescribed antiobiotics and a nasal spray. My primary prescribed more antibiotics last week as well as nexium. I am apprehensive it could be a serious condition. Seems the condition is worsening.
Brief Answer:
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Get a videostroboscopy to detect any vocal fold movement disorder or swelling since you have hoarseness. The hardened pus on the vocal cords may be leukoplakia. This may be interfering with the mucosal wave of the vocal cords, leading to hoarseness.
2. Air conditioning related problems may be due to cold temperature, low humidity and fungal infestation. Get the system and filters cleaned.
3. The thyroid nodule must be considered as a possible cause unless proved otherwise. The nodule may be pressing upon the recurrent laryngeal nerve causing hoarseness.
4. The rest of your symptoms appear to be related to acid reflux and allergy.
5. If the symptoms are worsening, get the above tests done. Also request a neck sonography, chest X-ray and a CT +MRI Scan of the neck with contrast injection.
6. you may follow up with the results here or directly at bit.ly/Dr-Sumit-Bhatti
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Get a videostroboscopy to detect any vocal fold movement disorder or swelling since you have hoarseness. The hardened pus on the vocal cords may be leukoplakia. This may be interfering with the mucosal wave of the vocal cords, leading to hoarseness.
2. Air conditioning related problems may be due to cold temperature, low humidity and fungal infestation. Get the system and filters cleaned.
3. The thyroid nodule must be considered as a possible cause unless proved otherwise. The nodule may be pressing upon the recurrent laryngeal nerve causing hoarseness.
4. The rest of your symptoms appear to be related to acid reflux and allergy.
5. If the symptoms are worsening, get the above tests done. Also request a neck sonography, chest X-ray and a CT +MRI Scan of the neck with contrast injection.
6. you may follow up with the results here or directly at bit.ly/Dr-Sumit-Bhatti
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The nodule on the thyroid is on the left side and is less than a centimeter in size. The neck pain I have is mostly on the right and sometime a little to the center. The sore throat is a little more general. When the initial pain started it was definitely on the right side. My primary also mentioned second hand smoke from a casino I visit about once a week as a source of irritation. My visit to the ENT was on April 16th of this year. The pus was his only finding. I had a CABG 10 years ago and am scheduled for a carotid MRI (not a regular carotid ultrasound). Will this be helpful in finding something relevant to this current problem?
Brief Answer:
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes, the carotid MRI can be combined with the above investigations.
2. Depending upon its exact position, even a small thyroid nodule may cause symptoms due to the proximity of the thyroid gland to the recurrent laryngeal nerves.
3. Reflux symptoms can be treated effectively with 8 to 12 weeks of anti-reflux medication and diet control.
4. Smoke allergy may have triggered this problem. However it is unlikely to cause long lasting symptoms.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. Yes, the carotid MRI can be combined with the above investigations.
2. Depending upon its exact position, even a small thyroid nodule may cause symptoms due to the proximity of the thyroid gland to the recurrent laryngeal nerves.
3. Reflux symptoms can be treated effectively with 8 to 12 weeks of anti-reflux medication and diet control.
4. Smoke allergy may have triggered this problem. However it is unlikely to cause long lasting symptoms.
I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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