There are a lot of conditions that may cause you to hurt your throat. Sore throat, also known as pharyngitis refers to the pain, discomfort, or tenderness in the throat. Mild viral infections like the common cold and flu usually cause it. Running nose, cough, hoarse voice, and dryness in the throat and mouth are the symptoms of a sore throat that makes it difficult to swallow foods. If you have severe pain due to a sore throat then you should go to the doctor and discuss your conditions and symptoms. One might also feel pain while swallowing foods or liquids. But before knowing how and what kills a sore throat fast you must know what causes it.
Causes of Sore Throat
Conditions that cause sore throat are:
Allergies
If a person is allergic to something and gets exposed to it, the immune system reacts as if the body is being attacked. Mostly, the allergens are benign substances such as:
- Dust
- Plants
- Perfumes
- Foods
- Pollen
- Mold
- Cigarette smoke
- Pet dander
The allergens might cause to have a scratchy or sore throat. Other commonly reported airborne symptoms are:
- Itchy eyes
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Postnasal drip
- Coughing
Postnasal Drip
It occurs when a lot of mucus drains from the sinuses down to the throat. This causes the throat to feel scratchy or hurt. Various triggers can set off postnasal drip, such as:
- Coming in contact with allergens
- Eating spicy foods
- Changes in weather
- Dust
- Deviated septum
- Medications
Other symptoms include:
- Feeling nauseated
- The foul smell on my breath
- Coughing that gets worse at night
Dry Indoor Air
The nasal passages and throat could dry particularly if the air in your home is dry. This causes you to wake up with a sore throat in the morning.
It’s normal for indoor air to get dry during the winter season. Running a heater could dry it more.
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
It is also known as heartburn or acid reflux and is a common condition occurring in the digestive tract. The sphincter located at the bottom of the esophagus is very weak to stay closed as tight as it should during GERD. This can cause a burning sensation in the chest and the back of the throat. This could also damage the tissue in both the esophagus and throat.
Common symptoms of GERD include:
- Sour taste in the mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Heartburn in chest
- Irritation and burning in the upper middle stomach
Muscle Strain
If an individual has been talking excessively, especially over loud noises, singing, yelling, or raising voice for a long period, it could turn into a sore throat at the end of the day.
It indicates that the muscles in the throat have strained a lot and need a rest. If you particularly raise your voice more often, you are likely to end up having a muscle strain.
Viral or Bacterial Throat Infections
If a sore throat is extremely painful and is not cured by drinking or eating it may be caused due to viral or bacterial throat infections. Depending on the diagnosis by the doctor, one must need antiviral medication or antibiotics to feel better.
Some symptoms include:
- Swollen tonsils or tonsil stones
- Severe sore throat that affects talking, eating, etc.
- Chills
- Fever
- Loss in appetite
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle weakness
Treatment of Sore Throat
Home-made remedies might help you treat sore throat. A few methods include:
- Gargle with salt water
- Suck on hard candies or lozenges
- Sip grape juice mixed with a little amount of apple cider vinegar
- Sip water with honey and lemon
- Drink chicken soup
- Use pain relieving sprays for throat
- Take over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication
If the indoor air is dry, try running a humidifier, especially at night. If you are more sensitive to allergens try buying an allergy medication over-the-counter or get a prescription from your doctor.
Get diagnosed for GERD by your doctor, if haven’t already. Drugs to control GERD are available both as OTC and by prescription. One can try to elevate his/her head off the bed to reduce acid regurgitation into the throat during nighttime.
In case a sore throat is caused by to bacterial infection, get an antibiotic prescription from your healthcare provider. In very rare cases, one might need hospitalization or surgery to remove chronically infected enlarged tonsils.
When to see a Doctor?
If a sore throat lasts more than three days you are advised to see a doctor. In case you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, they shouldn’t be ignored and must be immediately diagnosed by the doctor.
- Trouble swallowing
- Blood in saliva or phlegm
- Pain or swelling while drinking, eating, or sleeping
- Trouble opening the mouth
- Drooling
- Red rashes on the skin
- Sudden high fever over 101°F(38°C)
- Trouble breathing
Conclusion
A sore throat caused by GERD, allergies, dry air, or muscle strain can easily be cured through home remedies and OTC medications. The symptoms may be relieved within about a week.
However, if the symptoms persist and you do not find relief with home remedies consulting a licensed medical healthcare professional is recommended.