Dry throat is a very common symptom, often characterized by:
- Burn
- Irritation
- Sore throat.
The dry throat worsens in:
- Speak
- swallowing food,
- Running because the mouth is open and breathing is fast.
Contents
Throat hydration
The salivary glands are saliva-producing organs in the head and neck.
There are hundreds of small and three large salivary glands:
- Parotid gland
- Mandibular salivary gland
- Sublingual salivary gland
Constant salivation prevents infections caused by lesions and caries.
Bacteria and food residues are washed away.
The calcium phosphate ions support the remineralization of the teeth.
The bicarbonate contained in saliva acts as a buffer against the acids:
- in food,
- which arise during bacterial metabolism.
It also helps prevent tooth decay.
The pH is increased when the amount of saliva in the mouth increases, and this can protect the lining of the esophagus, because in the case of reflux, the stomach acid rising into the esophagus is neutralized.
Studies on childhood saliva show special importance in dental problems.
It seems that the quality of saliva (protein content) is fundamental in the prevention of tooth decay, more important than the quantity.
In a group of children between 4 and 6 years of age, Bhalla et al. showed that tooth decay forms more frequently when saliva contains little proline (an amino acid), but the amount of total saliva formed is insignificant.
Causes of dry and irritated throat
Alcohol alcohol absorbs moisture from the tissues and the throat becomes dry and irritated. It is important to drink water with alcohol to keep the oral cavity moist.
Dehydration
A low water content in the body also makes the throat dry and leads to a white tongue, especially in winter. It is therefore important to drink water or eat fruits and vegetables to avoid dehydration.
Dry air
In winter, humidity is low. The result is that dry air and cold enter the body when breathing. This leads to mucosal irritation in the throat and dryness in the throat.
Smoking
Smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco and/or any type of narcotic can cause dry throat. The ingredients of these substances drain the body, and the smoke irritates the throat. Smoking cannabis leaves (marijuana) can dry out and irritate the throat.
Diseases that cause
dry and irritated throat
Diabetes
Dry throat is a common symptom of diabetes.
Dry throat can occur as a side effect of medications taken to:
- lowering blood sugar levels,
- Treatment of complications of diabetes, such as heart disease and high blood pressure.
Nevertheless, the main cause of dry throat in diabetics is dehydration, because diabetes:
- is characterized by increased urine production,
- may cause kidney problems.
Scleroderma
Scleroderma is a disease that leads to the accumulation of collagen and extracellular matrix in the connective and vascular tissue (blood vessels) of the organism.
The result is the lack of oxygen supply to the tissue (hypoxia).
The dryness in the throat and mouth is caused by the fibrosis of:
- Capillaries
- excretory channels,
- Salivary.
Tuberculosis Tuberculosis
(TB) is a chronic bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis that leads to the formation of granulomas (inflammation-related nodule-like tissue formation) in the infected tissues.
The consequences include:
- dry mouth and throat,
- Formation of cysts or granulomas in the salivary glands, which can swell.
Granomatous diseases such as sarcoidosis and tuberculosis can reduce the functionality of the salivary glands and cause dry mouth (xerostomia).
Allergies There are various allergies
that cause dry throat. The allergic reaction of the respiratory tract causes the throat irritation and possible side effects such as:
- dry cough,
- Itch
- Hoarseness.
The most common allergens are:
- Chemicals
- Pollen
- Animal hair.
Food poisoning Botulism
Food poisoning Botulism is a disease caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. The toxins of this bacterium block nervous functions and cause paralysis of skeletal muscles. 12 to 36 hours after ingestion of toxins (e.g. ingestion of contaminated food), symptoms such as:
- dry throat and mouth,
- double vision,
- speech difficulties,
- Myasthenia.
Sjögren’s syndrome Sjögren’s syndrome
is a systemic autoimmune disease in which the exocrine glands responsible for the production of:
- Water
- Saliva.
The result is dry mucous membranes, i.e. dryness of the throat, eyes (etc.).
If saliva production is reduced (in some cases it stops altogether), the mouth and throat become dry.
Cervical tumor
The symptoms of a neck tumor can be confused with those of respiratory infections. The feeling of dryness is one of the symptoms of neck tumors.
Usually, other symptoms also occur, which may vary depending on the location of the tumor, including:
- persistent change in voice,
- pain and difficulty swallowing,
- Swelling of the throat.
Infections
Streptococcal bacteria can provoke infection in the throat (pharyngitis, tonsillitis, etc.).
The bacterial infection causes:
- Sore throat
- swollen tonsils,
- Coating in the neck.
These infections are contagious and spread through:
- nasal secretion,
- Saliva
- Cough
- Sneeze
- Physical contact.
Complaints of the tonsils
The tonsils swell due to:
- Infection
- Cancer
- Abscess
- chronic tonsillitis.
The result is an interruption of salivation in the throat.
During sleep, swollen tonsils can close the airways and cause the patient to sleep with their mouth open.
The result is a dry throat as the saliva evaporates.
Other diseases Throat dryness also occurs with certain diseases
, such as:
- herpes labialis; If it occurs in the mouth (mouth rot or stomatitis herpetica), the painful aphthae cause problems swallowing the saliva. So the patient does not swallow and suffers from hypersalivation (sialorrhea). The result can be throat dryness.
- laryngitis (laryngitis),
- chronic cough; irritates the throat and causes dryness and burning.
- gastroesophageal reflux; the rising stomach acid irritates the mucous membranes and leads to a bitter taste in the mouth and dry cough.
- Sore throat
- salivary gland cancer; it is a rare cancer that can cause a painful mass on the throat and difficulty swallowing.
Dryness in the mouth and throat
Dryness in the mouth and throat may indicate an underlying disease.
Causes of dry throat and mouth
Dehydration is one of the main causes of dryness in the mouth and throat.
This can be the result of:
- Fever
- profuse sweating,
- Vomit
- Diarrhoea
- Burns
- insufficient drinking.
Dry mouth can be the result of cerebral or cervical nerve damage after an accident or surgical operation between the head and neck.
Medicines
Dryness in the throat and mouth can also be a side effect of certain medications used to treat the following diseases:
1. depression – tricyclic antidepressants;
2. allergy – antihistamines;
3. Hypertension – diuretics;
4. Asthma – decongestants;
6. Psychosis – antipsychotics;
8. Incontinence,
9. Pain – painkillers and anesthetics;
11. Parkinson’s – dopamine antagonists.
Radiation therapy or chemotherapy decreases saliva production.
Old home remedies for dry and irritated throat that are
safe even during pregnancy
Using a humidifier The best solution to treat the symptoms of dry throat is to use a humidifier
at times when humidity drops below the recommended levels.
In winter, it is sufficient to place a container filled with water near the heater.
The heat allows the water to evaporate, which increases the humidity.
The same result can be achieved by hanging a wet towel on the radiator.
Moisturizing
the body Hydration is important for dry throat. Water has a sliding effect and moisturizes the dry respiratory tract.
It is important to drink an adequate amount of water (at least 8 glasses a day).
Gargling with salt water Gargling with lukewarm salt water
is one of the best home remedies for a parched and irritated throat. Another recipe for gargling is to mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water.
Lemon and honey Another effective home remedy for dry and irritated throat and persistent cough is drinking hot water with lemon and honey
.
For the preparation of the drink:
- heat one cup of water (250 ml);
- squeeze a lemon and add the juice to the water;
- Add 1 or 2 tsp honey.
Practice of breathing technique
Those who suffer from sleep disorders (e.g. sleep apnea) breathe through the mouth during sleep and the throat can dry out. This is because moisture is lost to the airways during inhalation and exhalation.
Breathing exercises help to strengthen the respiratory muscles and prevent obstruction of the airways.