Due to the dry climate, sudden changes in temperature, and respiratory illnesses, you’ve probably already suffered from the dreaded sore throat, haven’t you? This problem is a common symptom of several diseases and conditions, such as colds, flu, and allergies.
In general, this infection is caused by an inflammation that affects the pharynx but can also affect the tonsils or larynx. It can be accompanied by shortness of breath, cough, and problems that affect rest, increasing the feeling of fatigue.
If you want to know the main causes of a sore throat and how to alleviate the symptom, read on! We’ll also answer the question of how long a sore throat from allergies last and where to get ENT doctors near me for the treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of a Sore Throat?
A sore throat is an inflammation of the mucous membranes that cover the inner wall of the larynx and pharynx. This problem is a reaction of our immune system when detecting invading microorganisms in that area, which causes the dilation of blood vessels to facilitate the transport of defense cells to it.
With this, it is possible to notice some symptoms, such as increased sensitivity, redness, and swelling. While the main signs are an inflamed, sore, and dry throat, we may also notice difficulty swallowing or worsening pain with simple tasks such as eating or talking.
Symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, headache, fever, hoarseness, and cough may also arise, depending on the severity of each case.
What Causes a Sore Throat?
Several problems can cause a sore throat. Among the main ones are viruses, which are responsible for colds and flu. Check out the most common causes of sore throat emergence below!
Bacterial infection
Bacteria can cause sore throats, the most common being Streptococcus Pyogenes Infection. An infection that lives naturally in our throat and does not cause disease.
However, there may be an imbalance between the microorganisms in the region due to some situations. Consequently, this type of bacteria has an exaggerated proliferation, causing an infection.
Dry throat
An uncommon factor that also causes a sore throat is dryness in the area. In general, it is related to dry weather, but it also happens when the person breathes mainly through the mouth.
In this situation, the air is not humidified through the nostrils. In addition, the lack of filtration facilitates the ingestion of foreign bodies and microorganisms, as well as dust and other particles. A dry throat is more vulnerable to these particles, which cause pain and local inflammation.
Gastroesophageal reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux happens when stomach contents return to the mouth and esophagus, which can cause inflammation in the throat. This is due to the presence of acid that is secreted in the stomach. Over time, the problem causes tissue damage and generates throat infections.
In addition, it is possible to have other symptoms such as heartburn, a full stomach, severe chest pain, and a dry cough.
Respiratory Allergies
Respiratory allergies cause local irritation and are one of the main causes of sore throat. In this case, the body perceives some allergens, such as animal hair, dust, and other substances. Thus, it produces mucus to clear the mucous membrane from the nose to the throat.
In this case, the person may experience, in addition to sore throat, watery eyes, runny nose, cough, and rashes.
Cold
The common cold is another common cause of a sore throat. This happens because the main gateway for viruses is the nose, which accumulates and multiplies in the throat mucosa, causing pain.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is an inflammation that affects the tonsils, located at the bottom of the mouth. With this, the person usually feels a lot of sore throats, in addition to fever, headache, and difficulty swallowing.
Pollution and smoking
Inhalation of hot air full of toxic substances, as happens in smoking, can cause local dryness, increasing sensitivity and causing tissue damage. With this, the person can develop inflammation in the throat, in addition to irritation in the area and persistent throat clearing.
Excessive use of voice
People who use their voice a lot, such as narrators, singers, and teachers, need to be careful not to get too much sore throat. Excessive use of the vocal cords can cause laryngitis, causing discomfort and hoarseness.
Conclusion
Several issues may be the cause of your soar throat. But when such an issue happens to be from allergies, contacting an ENT doctor near me is the solution. Only experts can establish and administer what you will use. Also, you can only learn how long it will take after seeking advice from an ENT clinic near me.