What causes laryngitis?

Swelling of the vocal cords prevents them from coming together properly, which causes a change in the voice.

What can you do to prevent and treat mild hoarseness?

If you smoke, quit.
Avoid substances that dehydrate the body, such as alcohol and caffeine. Avoid secondhand smoke.
Drink plenty of water.
Humidify your home.
Watch your diet - avoid spicy foods.
Try not to use your voice too long or too loudly.
Seek professional voice training.
Avoid speaking or singing when your voice is injured or hoarse.

Are there specific risk factors for head and neck cancer?

Ninety percent of head and neck cancers arise after prolonged exposure to specific factors:
For cancers of the mouth and throat, including the larynx (voice box), these include tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and snuff) and alcohol.
For cancers of the skin, prolonged exposure to sunlight is a major factor.

What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?

Swelling of the tonsils
Redder than normal tonsils
A white or yellow coating on the tonsils
A slight voice change due to swelling
Sore throat
Uncomfortable or painful swallowing
Swollen lymph nodes (glands) in the neck
Fever
Bad breath

What are the symptoms of enlarged adenoids?

Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose most of the time
Nose sounds "blocked" when the person speaks
Noisy breathing during the day
Recurrent ear infections
Snoring at night
Breathing stops for a few seconds at night during snoring or loud breathing (sleep apnea)

When is the removal of tonsils and/or adenoids recommended?

The two primary reasons for removal of tonsils and/or adenoids are recurrent infection despite antibiotic therapy and difficulty breathing due to enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids. Removal of adenoids is also a beneficial treatment for some children with fluid in the middle ear.