Sore throat when swallowing is most often caused by infections of the upper respiratory tract. Read what are the reasons for this and learn how to deal with this ailment!
A sore throat when swallowing salivais very bothersome. No wonder - we swallow saliva every few seconds on average. This is quite common, taking into account the fact that we feel the sore throat more intensely when swallowing.A sore throat when swallowingoccurs with both viral and bacterial infections.
What is more, it also increases when we eat or drink, and it is often accompanied by: scratching, hoarseness, burning in the throat.
Sore throat when swallowing saliva - causes
A sore throat with upper respiratory tract infections is most often caused by viruses (85-95% of sore throats for adults and children under 5 and 70% for children aged 5-16) or bacteria.
The virus infects the nose and throat, causing inflammation, which in turn causes damage to the epithelium of their mucosa.
Our body reacts with an immune response, so mediators of inflammation appear, as a result of which the nasal mucosa produces copious secretions that cause swelling of the mucosa. In addition to edema, there is a sore throat and difficulty swallowing.
This is because the throat mucosa is red and often dry (e.g. as a result of sleeping with your mouth open), while the tonsils become fluffy. There is a small bubble filled with a clear liquid. Swallowing and inadequate humidity of the hyperemic mucosa in the throat lead to its increased irritation, and thus - intensification of pain.
Sore throat when swallowing saliva - how to prevent it
Sore throat when swallowingwe feel especially at night and in the morning, because during sleep we cannot moisturize it properly - we do not drink fluids and breathe through our mouths. What's more, at night, nasal / sinus secretions run down the back of the throat.
To minimize your morning sore throat, make sure you have drinking water before going to bed, which you can reach for when you wake up at night, and ventilate your bedroom in the evening.
Also reach for appropriate medications for a sore throat.
Remedies for a sore throat when swallowing
It's worth ituse home remedies for a sore throat:
- Drink at least 1.5 liters of fluid a day ,to moisturize the throat mucosa - drink water, green tea or tea with honey.
- Rinse your throat with a s alt solution (which has anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling properties) - preferably several times a day and using warm (not cold or hot) water.
- Use herbal rinses (e.g. chamomile, thyme, sage, elderberry) - prepare an intense decoction, cool, rinse several times a day.
- Use steam inhalations to moisturize the dry throat.
- Do not forget about medications - home remedies can complement the treatment, but especially in the case of bacterial pharyngitis, they will prove insufficient.
How to prevent a sore throat?
- Avoid substances that can irritate the throat - tobacco, spicy foods.
- Regularly - at least twice a year - visit your dentist and take care of your oral hygiene.
- Ventilate your home and your workplace - take care of an appropriate (40-60%) level of air humidity in the rooms.
- Dress in accordance with the weather - do not overheat or cool your body.
- Bet on a he althy lifestyle: do sports, add he althy products to your menu, remember about time to rest.