Dry throat

A variety of reasons can provoke a dry throat. Often, this is one of the signs of infectious inflammatory diseases, but in some cases, the reasons may be trivial and have nothing to do with pathology. Only after understanding why the unpleasant feeling of dryness appeared, can you draw conclusions about how to deal with it.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ]

Causes of Dry Throat

Drying of the mucous membrane can be caused by several reasons:

• infectious diseases of the respiratory system (viruses, bacteria, fungi, including colds);
• acute pharyngitis;
• allergy, hypersensitivity of the body to all kinds of irritants (food, odors, polluted air, etc.)
• physiological features in children and the elderly (thinning of mucous tissues);
• excessively dry indoor air, smoking;
• the habit of breathing through the mouth, as well as difficulty breathing through the nose due to a runny nose, sinusitis, or deformities of the nasal septum;
• insufficient production of saliva, hypofunction of the salivary glands.

Depending on the underlying cause that caused the dry mucous membrane, this condition may be permanent or temporary. Most often, a temporary condition is observed, which in most cases is a consequence of external factors, but not diseases.

Dry throat symptoms

Most often, the feeling of dryness appears simultaneously with other diseases or as a result of allergic reactions. Therefore, this symptom may be accompanied by the following signs:

• coughing fits, usually dry, scratchy, and labored;
• rhinitis, sinusitis and associated nasal congestion and discharge, headache, difficulty breathing through the nose, sneezing;
• conjunctivitis, lacrimation, redness of the eyes;
• muscle pain, body aches;
• hoarseness, hoarseness of voice;
• high temperature, feeling of discomfort, drowsiness, apathy;
• enlargement and redness of the tonsils, pain when swallowing.

On examination, the mucous membranes in the throat area may appear dull, stuck together, with mucus elements. The throat is dry, irritated, there is a feeling of tickling and itching.

Regarding the symptoms of the disease, patients often ask the following questions:

• Dryness in the mouth and throat appeared. What could it be?

Often, constant dryness in the throat and mouth is associated with the destruction of the mucous membranes. This condition is not uncommon in old age, and it means the development of a pathological process with a violation of the tissue structure. In case of destruction, a mandatory consultation with an ENT doctor is required. Locally, you can soften the mucous membranes by rinsing with solutions with the addition of vegetable oils.

• I suddenly felt a dryness and a scratchy feeling in my throat. Am I sick?

Such symptoms may indicate the development of pharyngitis - an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the pharynx, which is accompanied by pain, irritation, or discomfort in the throat. Viral pharyngitis is most common, but only a doctor can establish an accurate diagnosis during an examination.

• I periodically feel dry mouth and a lump in my throat - is this dangerous?

A feeling of discomfort, pressure in the throat, a sensation when it is difficult to swallow saliva - such complaints are often heard from many patients. Patients may indicate a feeling of a foreign body in the throat, squeezing and tickling, itching, an unpleasant sensation of soreness in the throat. Such symptoms in most cases develop as a consequence of stressful situations, and they do not depend on the function of breathing or swallowing. Depressive states, psycho-emotional tension, stress, experiences provoke muscle spasm in the throat and drying of the mucous membrane. Usually this is considered a temporary phenomenon and disappears on its own within a few hours.

• What do symptoms such as dry throat and cough indicate?

A sore throat and dry cough in most cases mean a cold or acute respiratory infection, but not always. The same symptoms may appear with an allergic reaction (for example, to dust, wool or pollen). A doctor can distinguish one painful condition from another. Depending on the cause, he will prescribe antihistamines or antibacterial treatment.

• My throat is dry and sore, what should I do?

If your throat hurts, you feel a dry mucous membrane, and it becomes difficult to speak, then, first of all, you can suspect that you have symptoms of laryngitis. Laryngitis is an inflammatory process in the larynx, which can occur in an acute or chronic form. Most often, laryngitis develops against the background of pathologies of the respiratory system: acute respiratory viral infections, flu, whooping cough, etc. In particular, the disease can be provoked by such factors as smoking, eating ice cream in the cold season, etc. Pain usually occurs when swallowing, and a dry cough eventually turns into a wet cough.

• I felt dryness in my nose and throat at the same time. What could it be?

Dehydration of the nasopharyngeal mucosa can be observed under the influence of certain medications, for example, with long-term use of nasal drops and sprays, or during treatment with antihistamines. If this condition is accompanied by nasal congestion or discharge from it, then one can suspect the initial period of development of a runny nose. Also, an important role in drying out the nasopharyngeal mucosa is played by the humidity in the room: low humidity can provoke not only drying out of the mucous membrane of the nose and throat, but also cause nosebleeds.

• Recently I noticed a dry and burning sensation in my throat, and these symptoms still do not go away. It does not look like a cold. What is wrong with me?

Severe dryness in the throat may be a consequence of thyroid disease. This organ is located in the neck and is responsible for the production of hormonal substances that affect the functions of the brain, the condition of the mucous membranes and skin. Discomfort in the neck or throat area may indicate improper functioning of the thyroid gland, for example, the development of hyperthyroidism. However, an accurate diagnosis can only be established on the basis of special studies.

• What could symptoms such as dry throat and white coating on tonsils mean?

Indirectly, such signs may indicate the development of tonsillitis, or, more simply, angina. Tonsillitis is accompanied by redness, swelling of the tonsils, the appearance of plaque and pain when swallowing. Treatment is prescribed depending on the nature of the disease: viral or bacterial.

• What can sudden hoarseness and dry throat indicate?

Loss of voice is a sign of laryngitis. Initial symptoms of the disease may be hoarseness, which, if left untreated, develops into complete loss of voice. The disease is accompanied by a sore throat, a dry barking cough, and often there is a dry throat, difficulty breathing, and a bluish tint to the skin.

• What disease can we talk about if dry throat appears at night and disappears during the day?

Predominant drying of the mucous membrane at night is due to the fact that the patient cannot fully control his breathing at night and breathes through the mouth. This is especially true for people prone to snoring: constant air circulation through the oral cavity contributes to the drying of the throat. The same situation is observed with a runny nose, with a deformation of the nasal septum, with adenoids. An otolaryngologist will help to thoroughly understand the situation.

• I have a dry throat in the morning that goes away during the day. Could this be a symptom of a disease?

The feeling of dry mucous membranes occurs due to a lack of saliva, which should moisturize and cleanse the oral cavity. There can be many reasons - this is a banal lack of fluid in the body, dehydration, overeating at night, or diseases such as anemia, gastrointestinal tract diseases.

• Can you get a dry throat after having your tonsils removed?

Removal of the tonsils, like any other operation, can lead to complications. For example, complications of an infectious and inflammatory nature may arise when the infection penetrates into the surrounding tissues. The result of such a complication can be acute pharyngitis, laryngitis and other inflammatory diseases, which can be accompanied by drying of the mucous membranes.

Is it possible to have a dry throat after antibiotics? For example, I got a dry throat after Bioparox?

Indeed, antibiotics can cause all sorts of side effects, and dry mucous membranes are one of them. Drying of the mucous membranes can be noticed 2-3 days after the start of the antibiotic therapy course: the condition normalizes only a week after the end of the treatment. The severity of such a side effect depends on the properties of a specific drug, on the dose taken, on the condition of the body as a whole. The mentioned drug Bioparox is a polypeptide antibiotic that is used as an aerosol. That is, the active component of Bioparox - fusafungine - gets and acts directly on the mucous membrane. Such a side effect of this drug as drying of the mucous tissues is explained by the strong anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect of the drug. The feeling of discomfort is considered transient and completely disappears after the end of therapy.

• How can I explain the dry throat after eating?

This condition may be the result of digestive system diseases, such as gastritis or pancreatitis. Gastritis may be suspected in the presence of additional symptoms, such as stomach pain, loss of appetite, coating on the tongue, nausea, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Pancreatitis is manifested by pain in the left side of the abdomen, belching, increased gas formation, bowel disorder, and periodic attacks of nausea and vomiting. To improve the condition, careful dietary correction and medication are required.

• If you have a dry throat during pregnancy, what does this mean?

During pregnancy, increased function of the salivary glands is more common than decreased function. Therefore, dry mucous membranes of the mouth and throat should be a warning sign. First, it is necessary to determine the cause of this condition. Perhaps the humidity in the room is too low, or the woman drinks too little liquid, which is wrong during pregnancy - the volume of blood during gestation should increase. If everything is in order with the consumption of liquid and the level of humidity, it is recommended to undergo a blood glucose test.

• What can cause a child to have a dry throat?

The simplest household factor that provokes drying of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat in children is dry air, for example, during the winter heating season. Children react sharply to low humidity, because their mucous membrane is not yet fully formed, therefore it has increased sensitivity. If, in addition to dryness, there are other symptoms (for example, runny nose, nasal congestion, fever, etc.), then you should definitely consult a doctor - this may be a sign of an inflammatory disease or allergy.

Diagnosis of dry throat

A thorough questioning and examination of the patient allows to determine the direction of complaints, the duration of symptoms, their connection with previous injuries or medical procedures (for example, damage to the mucous membrane may be observed during gastroscopy). Perhaps there was a foreign body, contact with someone with the flu or acute respiratory viral infection, hypothermia (eating ice cream or cold drinks). The doctor also questions the patient about the presence of occupational hazards, bad habits, etc. The appearance of a viral, tumor or fungal lesion of the mucous membranes is also possible.

Some chronic diseases – endocrine pathologies, blood diseases – can also lead to the appearance of inflammatory and atrophic processes in the pharynx. For example, one of the first manifestations of hyperglycemia is thirst and dry mucous membranes of the oral cavity. Patients with hypothyroidism often have problems with swallowing, and the tongue swells and becomes dry.

Basic diagnostic procedures should include pharyngoscopy, nasopharyngeal and tonsil swabs, blood sugar testing, thyroid ultrasound, and, if necessary, gastrointestinal examination. In addition, a consultation may be required:

• otolaryngologist;
• endocrinologist;
• gastroenterologist;
• neurologist.

The diagnosis is established based on the results of a comprehensive examination.

[ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ]

Dry throat treatment

If you experience discomfort and dry mucous membranes in the throat area, you should consult an ENT doctor who will determine the cause of the unpleasant symptom and help you cope with the problem.

The treatment regimen depends on the nature of the disease: a viral disease is treated with antiviral agents, a bacterial disease with antibiotics, and a fungal infection with antifungal agents. In any case, a doctor should make an accurate diagnosis.

If the mucous membranes have become dry due to household reasons (low humidity, etc.), then, first of all, try to drink more fluids to compensate for tissue dehydration.

An isotonic sodium chloride solution (available at the pharmacy) is excellent for moisturizing the throat; a few drops of it are dripped into the nasal cavity, and the mouth and tonsils are also rinsed with it.

It is recommended to drink a teaspoon of vegetable oil at night, for example, flaxseed, sea buckthorn, olive.

In order to humidify the air in the room, special humidifiers are often used. If there is no such device in the house, then you can simply put plates with water on the heating batteries, or spread towels soaked in water on them.

In order for the treatment to be as effective as possible, it is important to determine the root cause of the drying of the mucous membranes and direct all actions to eliminate it. If this condition continues for a long time, and there is no effect, you should consult a doctor.

Dry throat remedies

Currently, doctors in many clinics recommend the following treatment methods:

• laser treatment based on the use of electromagnetic radiation. Such therapy is carried out at the cellular and molecular level, having a beneficial effect not only on the nasopharynx area, but also on the entire body. The laser restores the mucous membrane, improving the processes of trophism and blood circulation in the affected areas;
• mineral therapy is the treatment of the mucous membrane with finely dispersed mineral salts using ultrasound technology;
• organotherapeutic effect – a type of therapy with drugs that are obtained from certain organs of various animals;
• ozone therapy is a physiotherapeutic method of using ozone, which strengthens the immune system, improves the condition of the entire body, stimulates blood flow and enriches the blood and tissues with useful substances;
• vacuum ultrasound treatment of the tonsil area – performed using vacuum, ultrasound and ozonized solution. This procedure helps cleanse the tonsils and restore the structure of the nasopharynx tissue;
• photodynamic therapy – involves the use of photosensitization and visible light beams, which allows for a reaction to be initiated with the production of atomic oxygen. It has a broad therapeutic effect on the body.

Folk remedies for dry throat

Traditional healers recommend using the following methods and means to treat dehydration of the nasopharyngeal tissues:

• Drink carrot juice mixed half and half with natural honey.
• Grate one medium carrot and boil it in milk. Take 2 teaspoons warm after meals.
• Mix radish juice with honey in half, take 1 teaspoon up to 4 times a day after meals.
• Mix onion juice with honey in half, take 1 teaspoon three times a day.
• Drink fresh cabbage juice.
• Eat as many pomegranates as possible. You can also use the peel for a decoction, which is recommended for rinsing the tonsils at night.
• Drink cherry juice, compote or fruit drink, or eat it fresh.
• Drink tea made from viburnum and also use it for rinsing.
• Drink cranberry juice or fruit drink with honey added.
• Eat blackcurrants, ground with sugar or honey.

Treatment of dry throat at home can be enhanced by following these recommendations:

• drink enough clean water;
• regularly clean your mouth using high-quality toothpaste and mouthwash;
• limit the amount of salt and salty foods in your diet;
• get rid of bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
• monitor the humidity in the room (the optimal humidity should be from 40 to 60%);
• treat upper respiratory tract diseases in a timely manner.

[ 7 ]

Throat Lozenges

It is difficult to imagine the restoration of the mucous membrane of the pharynx without local medications:

• lollipops;
• sublingual tablets;
• aerosols;
• solutions for rinsing and irrigating tonsils;
• lozenges.

Such drugs have become so popular due to their effectiveness, ease of use, and the ability to purchase them at any pharmacy without a prescription.

• Strepsils is an antimicrobial and fungicidal topical preparation. It is indicated for use 1 lozenge every 3 hours.
• Trachisan is an antimicrobial drug intended for resorption in the oral cavity, 1 tablet every 2 hours, but no more than 6 per day.
• Halls are lozenges based on menthol, eucalyptus and glucose syrup. Recommended for softening the mucous membrane of the throat, one lozenge every 2-3 hours.
• Dr. Theiss lozenges with cranberry and vitamin C are a natural stimulant of cellular immunity. Restores mucous membranes, destroys microbes. Lozenges are prescribed 1 piece up to 4 times a day.
• Septolete is a combination product with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, refreshing and analgesic effects. Use for resorption in the oral cavity, 1 piece every 2-3 hours.

As a rule, the use of lozenges does not have a systemic effect on the body. For this reason, the use of such drugs is not only effective, but also safe for the body. However, if the feeling of irritation occurs with a high temperature, fever, then taking only lozenges will not be enough. You should consult a doctor and undergo a full course of necessary therapy.

Prevention of dry throat

Regular frequent ventilation of the room (at least 15 minutes several times a day and before bed), regardless of the time of year, can help solve the problem of prevention.

For preventive purposes (especially in winter), it is recommended to rinse the nasopharynx with a weak solution of sea or rock salt. Instead, you can use the pharmaceutical preparations Aquamaris or Aqualor.

It is best to have a special device for humidifying the air at home, which saturates the room with small particles of moisture. If there is no such device, it is recommended to lay out wet towels in the room, install containers with water or regularly spray the air from a spray bottle.

In addition, it is recommended to follow a drinking regimen - drink enough liquid (mainly clean water). It is useful to eat a lot of plant foods, which are also naturally saturated with moisture. In addition, this greatly strengthens the immune system.

Dry throat prognosis

The prognosis depends on the cause of this uncomfortable condition, as well as on the timeliness of eliminating the provoking factor. For example, a timely diagnosed viral disease allows you to start treatment faster, so there should be no complications after the disease.

Age-related degenerative changes in the mucous membrane have a more pessimistic prognosis. However, this problem can also be solved if you consult a doctor in time.

Dry throat can be the result of a variety of diseases and conditions of the body. But often only an otolaryngologist can sort this out after a careful examination of the nasopharynx and an assessment of the clinical manifestations and complaints of the patient.