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What Causes Sore Throat, Ear Pain And Tingling Sensation In The Face?
Question: Worried about throat cancer:
Profile: 32 y.o. Caucasian male. Healthy weight. Decent diet
Symptoms not shown via images:
-Slight sore throat. Slight feeling of constriction
-Slight tingling on left side of face with occasional muscle twitch (from chin to just below the eye). That has previously occured similarly when using smokeless tobacco more than 'normal'
-Slight right ear pain when physically pressed.
-All other symptoms are essentially on the right side with occasional SLIGHT pain on the left side in similar locations.
**All throat and facial symptoms have started over the last 7-8 days.
History: Smokeless tobacco (pouches) (~7-8 yrs). Just quit. Mostly moderate alcohol abuse when not deployed overseas (7-8 yrs. Deployed and dry ~30% of each year). Recently drastically cut back to within healthy limits.
Popping of the jaw (TMJ?) mainly on the right side..have had that for many years
Recent care: Saw my GP this past week regarding abdominal point and pointed out the one painful spot that existed at the time (just below the angle of the jaw) and she was not really concerned. Said to come back and if the pain and swelling was still present in 2-3 weeks. The other symptoms have occurred since that visit. Dental oral exam/x-rays normal. Referred to neurologist for facial twitching. Blood tests and abdominal xrays (regarding abdominal pain) were normal minus very slightly elevated kidney levels.
Blood pressure and body temperature are normal. Edit: It feels more like a feeling of something occasionally stuck in the throat in (vice constriction). Additional history: I also have had issues fighting the very occasional common wart
Profile: 32 y.o. Caucasian male. Healthy weight. Decent diet
Symptoms not shown via images:
-Slight sore throat. Slight feeling of constriction
-Slight tingling on left side of face with occasional muscle twitch (from chin to just below the eye). That has previously occured similarly when using smokeless tobacco more than 'normal'
-Slight right ear pain when physically pressed.
-All other symptoms are essentially on the right side with occasional SLIGHT pain on the left side in similar locations.
**All throat and facial symptoms have started over the last 7-8 days.
History: Smokeless tobacco (pouches) (~7-8 yrs). Just quit. Mostly moderate alcohol abuse when not deployed overseas (7-8 yrs. Deployed and dry ~30% of each year). Recently drastically cut back to within healthy limits.
Popping of the jaw (TMJ?) mainly on the right side..have had that for many years
Recent care: Saw my GP this past week regarding abdominal point and pointed out the one painful spot that existed at the time (just below the angle of the jaw) and she was not really concerned. Said to come back and if the pain and swelling was still present in 2-3 weeks. The other symptoms have occurred since that visit. Dental oral exam/x-rays normal. Referred to neurologist for facial twitching. Blood tests and abdominal xrays (regarding abdominal pain) were normal minus very slightly elevated kidney levels.
Blood pressure and body temperature are normal. Edit: It feels more like a feeling of something occasionally stuck in the throat in (vice constriction). Additional history: I also have had issues fighting the very occasional common wart
Brief Answer:
Cancer is not likely. Get a VL'Scopy done.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Throat cancer is rare. In addition, pain is mostly not present in the initial stages. the duration of your symptoms is also very less.
2. The various areas of pain, tenderness in throat and the constricted feeling can arise from many causes, the most common being inflammation of the normal lymphoid tissue in the throat, acid reflux, allergy and a post nasal drip.
3. Get a Videolaryngoscopy (VL'Scopy) done. If this is normal, regular checkups every six months should rule out any throat cancer. Stroboscopy and NBI (Narrow Band Imaging), if available, are also recommended.
4. The ear pain requires an ear examination. If the ears are normal (appearance of the ear drum, hearing tests), then the ear pain is a 'referred sensation' due to a common nerve supply.
5. The tingly sensation may be due to nerve irritation.
6. There is no cause for worry. Upload the above test results for discussing further treatment options.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more questions I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Cancer is not likely. Get a VL'Scopy done.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Throat cancer is rare. In addition, pain is mostly not present in the initial stages. the duration of your symptoms is also very less.
2. The various areas of pain, tenderness in throat and the constricted feeling can arise from many causes, the most common being inflammation of the normal lymphoid tissue in the throat, acid reflux, allergy and a post nasal drip.
3. Get a Videolaryngoscopy (VL'Scopy) done. If this is normal, regular checkups every six months should rule out any throat cancer. Stroboscopy and NBI (Narrow Band Imaging), if available, are also recommended.
4. The ear pain requires an ear examination. If the ears are normal (appearance of the ear drum, hearing tests), then the ear pain is a 'referred sensation' due to a common nerve supply.
5. The tingly sensation may be due to nerve irritation.
6. There is no cause for worry. Upload the above test results for discussing further treatment options.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any more 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
Answered by
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