Treatment for painful swallowing can vary depending on the cause of the pain. Your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to treat infections of the throat, tonsils, or esophagus. Your doctor may give you a mouthwash that can numb your throat while you take oral antibiotics.
What causes a sharp pain in my throat when swallowing?
Why Does It Hurt to Swallow?
- Cold, Flu, or Sinus Infection. A sore throat that causes painful swallowing often signals that you’re getting one of these common illnesses.
- Strep Throat. Often just called strep, this bacterial infection can be very painful. ...
- Mono. ...
- Herpes Simplex Virus. ...
- Thrush. ...
- CMV. ...
- Swallowing Pills or Food. ...
- GERD. ...
- Crohn’s Disease. ...
- Some Cancers and Cancer Treatments. ...
What should you do if your throat hurts?
- Stay home. Plan to go out only to seek medical care. If you live with other people, make sure you distance yourself from them as much as possible. ...
- Call your doctor. Let them know about your symptoms. ...
- Keep track of your symptoms. Most people with COVID-19 can recover at home, but about 1 in 5 people develop a more serious illness. ...
How do you stop throat pain when swallowing?
You have to do the following:
- Add one-fourth teaspoon of the salt in a cup containing warm water.
- Gargle by using the mixture and make sure not to swallow it.
- Repeat this twice everyday for a week to deal with pain experienced with swallowing.
What does it mean if your throat hurts to swallow?
What does it mean if my throat hurts when I swallow? Strep throat, epiglottitis, and esophagitis are some possible causes of pain when swallowing. Throat infections are one of the most common causes of pain when swallowing. These include strep throat, which is an infection with Streptococcal bacteria.
How do I get rid of my throat hurting when I swallow?
The best remedies include:Take over-the-counter pain medicine. This includes brand names such as Tylenol, Motrin, and Aleve. ... Gargle with warm salt water. ... Suck on an over-the-counter throat lozenge. ... Eat a popsicle.Use a humidifier in your bedroom. ... Drink liquids to keep your throat from getting dry.
Do I have COVID if my throat hurts?
If you have just a sore throat with no other symptoms, it's less likely to be COVID-19. But with other symptoms, it is possible you have COVID. Sore throat, cough, fever – I would be worried about COVID. “Having just an isolated sore throat.
What does it mean if your throat hurts while swallowing?
The most common cause for painful swallowing is a virus like a cold, the flu, or mono. Sinus infections could also be the blame. The pain in your throat is likely caused by either inflamed tonsils, coughing, or irritation from sinus drip.
What is the fastest way to cure a sore throat?
6 home remedies to get rid of a sore throatWarm and cold fluids. Sip on warm drinks, like tea or chicken soup. ... Gargling. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of salt — or a similar amount of baking soda — in a glass of warm water. ... Over-the-counter antihistamines and pain relievers. ... Steam and humidity. ... Hot toddy. ... Rest.
How long does a sore throat last from COVID?
COVID-related sore throats tend to be relatively mild and last no more than five days.
What's the best medicine for sore throat?
Here is the best medicine for a sore throat:Best overall: Chloraseptic spray, $6.79 on Walgreens. ... Best cough drops: Cepacol cough drops, $3.29 on Target. ... Best natural: Zarbee's Natural Honey Cough Soothers, $8.99 on Amazon. ... Best home remedy: Numi Throat Soother Tea, $4.93 on Amazon.More items...•
How long do sore throats last?
Sore throats, also known as pharyngitis, can be acute, lasting only a few days, or chronic, lingering on until their underlying cause is addressed. Most sore throats are the result of common viruses and resolve on their own within 3 to 10 days. Sore throats caused by a bacterial infection or allergies may last longer.
What is the medicine of sore throat?
Sore throat remedies Suck on throat lozenges or ice cubes. Take over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). Use a humidifier or take a steamy shower. Drink warm liquids such as soups, broths, or tea with honey.
What causes sore throats?
Viral infections: This is what will make your throat hurt more when you swallow. The sore throat is often accompanied by other cold symptoms such as a runny nose, cough, and fever. You should try and keep away from others to prevent more people getting unwell.
How do I get rid of a sore throat?
Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water, but avoid hot drinks or spicy food as this may aggravate your sore throat more.
Why does swallowing hurt?
There are many reasons why you might feel pain when swallowing. Most likely, it's something like an infection or a pill that went down the wrong way, though there can be more serious reasons. You might feel the pain anywhere inside your mouth, your throat, along your esophagus (the tube that leads to your stomach ), ...
Why does it hurt to swallow when you have a sinus infection?
With a sinus infection, constantly trying to clear your throat of drainage can cause irritation and painful swallowing until the infection clears.
What is a strep throat?
Strep Throat. Often just called strep, this bacterial infection can be very painful. Other telltale signs of strep are not having the usual symptoms of a cold and not having a cough. When a grown-up gets strep, the symptoms are usually a sudden sore throat, possibly with a fever, and swollen lymph nodes in your neck.
What medications can cause esophageal irritability?
The medications most likely to cause problems are antibiotics like doxycycline and tetracycline, potassium supplements, and NSAIDs.
Can you get a sore inside your mouth from a virus?
Most people feel better over time without special treatment, and your doctor will keep an eye on your health to make sure you don't have any complications. Type 1 of this virus can cause sores inside your mouth (as well as along the lips) and pain when swallowing.
Can cancer cause pain when swallowing?
Some Cancers and Cancer Treatments. Painful swallowing isn't likely to be cancer. But it can be a symptom of throat and esophageal cancers. You might feel pain when swallowing as a tumor grows and the passageway gets narrower.
How to stop a swollen throat from swallowing?
Avoid making the liquid too hot, or it can burn the throat. Taking a hot shower. The steam from a hot shower may help to decrease any inflammation responsible for painful swallowing. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco. Substances in alcohol and tobacco can irritate the soft tissue of the mouth, throat, and food pipe.
How to stop pain from swallowing?
Salt water may decrease inflammation and make swallowing less painful. Mix 8 ounces (oz) of warm water with 1 teaspoon (tsp) of salt and gargle this solution several times a day. Sipping warm drinks. Warm drinks, such as herbal tea, may help decrease pain. Avoid making the liquid too hot, or it can burn the throat.
What is the name of the throat infection that causes pain when swallowing?
Epiglottitis. Epiglottitis is a throat infection that causes inflammation of the epiglottis, which is the flap in the back of the throat that prevents food from going down the windpipe. In addition to pain when swallowing, typical symptoms of epiglottitis include: difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia. a high fever.
What causes tonsillitis in the throat?
Tonsillitis is a contagious condition. Viruses or bacterial infections, including stre p throat, can cause tonsillitis. If the pain when swallowing is due to tonsillitis, people may also notice: swollen tonsils. white or yellow spots on the tonsils. bad breath. tender jaw or neck. fever.
What to do when you swallow a strep throat?
Medication is the standard treatment for certain types of infection. Doctors usually recommend antifungal medications to treat yeast infections and antibiotics to treat bacterial infections, including strep throat.
How to stop pain from acid reflux?
Taking antacids . Over-the-counter (OTC) antacids are effective for reducing pain that results from acid reflux.
How long does it take for pain to go away after swallowing?
Although it can be uncomfortable, pain when swallowing is typically only temporary. Depending on the cause, painful swallowing often goes away in a few days. For example, if the pain is due to a cold, it usually resolves within a week. If a bacterial or fungal infection is causing the pain, treatment is usually successful.
How to stop throat from hurting when swallowing?
How do you stop Your Throat from Hurting when you swallow. There are several medications that can provide relief from a sore throat. Most of them are over the counter and can provide relief from a sore throat. Some of the medication include: NSAIDs, Sprays, Lozenges and many more.
What to do when your throat hurts?
What to do when you’re Throat Hurts really bad. There are several things one can do when your throat hurts, in most cases your doctor will prescribe antibiotics that will manage your pain in your throat. The following can be done: Get plenty of rest to give your body a chance to fight the infection.
Why does my throat ache on one side?
When the neck lymph nodes become enlarged, they are usually felt more on one side. Dental procedure. Dental procedure can result in a sore throat on only one side. An abscessed tooth or gum disease can cause your throat to ache, particularly if there is an infection that can spread into the throat region.
What is the complication of tonsillitis?
Peritonsillar is a complication of tonsillitis which develops a pus-filled sore near the tonsils. Strep throat. Is a bacterial infection that targets one side of the throat region and sometimes will begin on one side and spread over to the other side. Vocal cord nodules.
What causes a sore throat on one side?
They can make one side of the throat very sore. Swollen lymph nodes. Swollen lymph nodes from an illness such as a cold or ear infection can be felt on either side at times.
Why does my throat hurt at night?
A sore throat is a common side-effect due to decrease in saliva production . This is especially severe at nighttime, when the mouth and throat lining become dry and irritated. Drugs used for depression and allergies often have these effects. Cancer treatment can also lead to throat pain.
What causes a swollen throat?
The following species of bacteria can cause throat pain: Streptococcus bacteria. This is the most common bacterial infection causing throat pain. This bacterial infection cause the patients throat and tonsils to appear red and swollen, so swallowing becomes difficult.
Why does swallowing hurt?
Due to natural aging and normal wear and tear on the esophagus and a greater risk of certain conditions, such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease, older adults are at higher risk of swallowing difficulties.
What to do if you have difficulty swallowing?
Weight loss. See your doctor if you regularly have difficulty swallowing or if weight loss, regurgitation or vomiting accompanies your pain when swallowing. If an obstruction interferes with breathing, call for emergency help immediately.
What is the best treatment for throat narrowing?
Surgery. Surgery may be recommended to relieve swallowing problems caused by throat narrowing or blockages, including bony outgrowths, vocal cord paralysis, pharyngoesophageal diverticulum, GERD and achalasia, or to treat esophageal cancer. Speech and swallowing therapy is usually helpful after surgery.
What is the procedure to stretch the esophagus?
Esophageal dilation. For a tight esophageal sphincter (achalasia) or an esophageal stricture, your doctor may use an endoscope with a special balloon attached to gently stretch and expand the width of your esophagus or pass a flexible tube or tubes to stretch the esophagus (dilation). Surgery.
What is the name of the pouch that collects food particles in your throat?
Pharyngoesophageal diverticulum (Zenker’s diverticulum). A small pouch that forms and collects food particles in your throat, often just above your esophagus, leads to difficulty swallowing, gurgling sounds, bad breath, and repeated throat clearing or coughing. Cancer.
Why is my food lodged in my throat?
Older adults with dentures and people who have difficulty chewing their food may be more likely to have a piece of food become lodged in the throat or esophagus. Esophageal ring. A thin area of narrowing in the lower esophagus can intermittently cause difficulty swallowing solid foods.
What causes a narrowed esophagus?
A narrowed esophagus (stricture) can trap large pieces of food. Tumors or scar tissue, often caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can cause narrowing. Esophageal tumors. Difficulty swallowing tends to get progressively worse when esophageal tumors are present.
What are the symptoms of a sore throat?
In addition to a painful sore throat, you may experience a fever, swollen lymph nodes, or gastrointestinal symptoms.
What happens if you swallow a pill?
Throat Injury. If you swallowed a large pill or a jagged piece of food, you may have injured your throat. Also, consuming food and drinks that are too hot can burn your esophagus. Scrapes, burns, and sore throat muscles can all cause mild pain when you swallow.
Why is it so hard to swallow when your stomach is acidic?
When stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, it can be painful to swallow. This is because acid reflux is damaging your esophageal lining. You may also experience vomiting, an acidic taste, heartburn, and hoarseness. Diet changes along with antacids should remedy the problem.
What is thrush in the mouth?
Thrush is essentially a yeast infection of the mouth. A fungus known as Candida albicans infects the lining of the mouth and can spread to the tonsils and throat. The irritation and burning can make it difficult to eat and swallow.
Can you swallow a lump in your throat?
You could be experiencing burning, soreness, a sharp pain, or the sensation that you have a lump in your throat. All of these symptoms can make it difficult to swallow. Most of the time, painful swallowing is benign and can be treated easily with OTC medications and home remedies.
Can breathing clear help swallowing?
Although painful swallowing isn’t usually a cause for concern, you should seek help if it’s causing prolonged suffering or if you have other troubling symptoms. Breathe Clear Institute can help. We take a holistic approach to health and will start by diagnosing the root cause of your discomfort to then customize a throat treatment plan for your specific needs. Schedule an appointment with an ENT from Breathe Clear institute and start feeling better today!
Can an allergic reaction cause a throat to swell?
But severe allergies, especially from food, can cause an extreme allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. When this happens, the throat can swell and close, making it difficult to swallow and breathe. Anaphylaxis is serious and requires immediate medical attention. Use an EpiPen if you have one and then go to the closest emergency room.
Why does swallowing hurt?
Pain when swallowing may be a sign of other issues affecting your throat. Luckily, your symptoms can often be soothed with home remedies or treated with over-the-counter medicine or antibiotics. A sore throat will often resolve on its own, but if your sore throat is severe or lasts longer than a week, the Mayo Clinic suggests seeing your doctor.
What are the symptoms of a sore throat?
The Cleveland Clinic lists some common symptoms that often accompany this condition: Throat pain when swallowing. Swollen or sore glands in your neck. Red tonsils with white patches on them. Coughing.
What does it mean when you have white spots on your tonsils?
If you notice white spots on your tonsils, the CDC notes that you may have a bacterial infection and not a cold virus. 2. Strep Throat. If you don't have a cough and you notice white spots on your tonsils, swollen lymph nodes or tiny red spots on the roof of your mouth, you might have strep throat.
What is the cause of strep throat?
The CDC states that strep throat is caused by group A Streptococcus (group A strep) bacteria. To determine if you have strep throat, your doctor will do a rapid strep test or analyze a bacterial culture sample to see if group A strep is present. 3. Tonsillitis.
How long does it take for a cold to go away?
Colds can be soothed with over-the-counter medication and typically resolve on their own within seven to 10 days.
What are the symptoms of esophagitis?
These are the typical symptoms: Difficult or painful swallowing. Heartburn. Pain in the chest or throat. Acid reflux. Esophagitis can be caused by acid reflux, an allergic reaction or oral medications. It can also be caused be a bacterial, fungal or viral infection. If you are experiencing symptoms of esophagitis, ...
How to get rid of red splotches in throat?
Gargling with salt water. Drinking plenty of fluids. Using a humidifier. If your sore throat doesn't get better or your notice red or white splotches in your throat or on your tonsils, it's a good idea to talk to your dentist or doctor to make sure you don't need antibiotics or other medications.
Throat dryness
A dry throat can cause irritation that gives your throat a scratchy feeling, especially when swallowing, talking, or yawning. A dry throat often develops when your membranes don’t produce enough mucus to keep your esophagus moist.
Common cold, flu, and COVID-19
Many types of viruses, such as those responsible for the common cold, flu, and COVID-19, can enter the tissue in your throat and cause inflammation. When you yawn, air, food particles, and saliva may contact the inflamed areas and stimulate pain receptors.
Strep throat
Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by highly contagious Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. It commonly causes a sore throat, especially when swallowing, but yawning can also potentially irritate inflamed areas.
Throat injury
Swallowing something sharp, such as a chip or cracker, can scratch the tissue in the back of your throat. The injured area may hurt when yawning or swallowing when food particles and saliva irritate the sore area.
Mononucleosis
Mononucleosis, or mono, is an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus that commonly causes a sore throat, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. This may also cause pain when swallowing.
Tonsilitis
Your tonsils are two lymph nodes in the back of your throat. Tonsilitis is an infection of these lymph nodes that usually causes a very sore throat that hurts when swallowing and possibly when yawning.
Oral thrush
Oral thrush is a yeast overgrowth in your mouth. It usually causes white or yellow patches in your mouth. Symptoms may also include a cotton-like sensation in your mouth and loss of taste.
Gastric liquids
Stomach acids are very strong acids that help break down the food in your stomach for digestion. In the wrong places, these acids can cause a host of problems. They’re even capable of damaging teeth and bones.
Inflammation
Esophagitis and gastritis are conditions where the throat or stomach can become inflamed.
Physical tears
The act of vomiting is intense and forceful. While stomach acids are one factor in the damage caused by vomiting, this force is another.
Natural remedies
Whether your sore throat is caused by heartburn, gastric reflux, or other conditions, you can try some soothing, natural remedies at home to make yourself more comfortable. These include:
Over-the-counter (OTC) treatment
If natural remedies aren’t helping, you may be able to try some OTC medications to ease your pain. These include:
Prescription and medical treatment
If a more severe condition is causing your throat pain or vomiting, your doctor may prescribe you medication designed to:
