Dry Throat? Let’s Learn the Causes and It Effective Remedies

A dry throat happens when the throat becomes dehydrated. As a result, the mucus membranes of the throat dry out. The throat gets affected due to a lack of moisture. So, the affected person feels scratchiness in the throat. Generally, it happens in the winter season. At this time, the air becomes dry. So, upper respiratory infections like dry throats spread easily during this season.

Dry Throat Causes

Here are some of the primary the reasons of a dry throat –

1. Dehydration

Dehydration is the most common reason for dry throat. Lack of water intake causes dehydration. When the body is in a state of dehydration, it cuts down on the production of saliva, which moistens the mouth and throat. Dry mouth and throat begin to feel itchy and scratchy. 

2. Mouth Breathing

Some people are in the habit of sleeping with their mouths open. Constant exposure to air dries up the saliva in the mouth, resulting in a dry mouth and a dry throat. Snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, nasal congestion, or seasonal allergy all can lead to mouth breathing.

3. Allergies

An allergic reaction is a result of an immune system overreaction. When the immune system comes in contact with any of the possible allergens like mould, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, etc., it triggers a release of a chemical called histamines. This leads to stuffy, runny nose, sneezing, itching, cough, and mouth breathing, resulting in a dry throat.

4. Cold and Flu

Environmental changes and seasonal variations are amongst the most common reasons for dry throat. Often triggered by a viral infection, a cold causes the saliva in the mouth to dry out, resulting in a dry throat. Flu or influenza is more severe and stays for a longer duration than the common cold.

5. Acid Reflux

Acid reflux or Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a digestive disorder that causes stomach acids to rise and flow into the oesophagus. This acid reflux damages the lining of the oesophagus, resulting in dry mouth symptoms.

6. Throat Infections

Throat infections like tonsillitis and mononucleosis cause dry throat. The symptoms of tonsillitis are fever, headache, horse vice, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck. The common symptoms of mononucleosis are fever, tiredness, swollen tonsils, etc.

7. Overuse of Voice

Giving excessive stress on the voice, such as singing loudly and yelling, dehydrates the mouth and throat. It increases the evaporation of moisture from the throat. As a result, it leads towards a dry throat.  

Dry Throat Symptoms

The common dry throat symptoms are:

Thirst: Dry throat triggers thirstiness. The body gets dehydrated due to a dry throat and mouth. Thus, it tries to recover by giving a symptom of thirstiness.

Hoarseness: Throat dryness causes a hoarse voice. People experience irritation, itchiness or roughness when they speak. 

Sore Throat: Dryness causes pain in the throat. It becomes awful when speaking, swallowing, and coughing. 

Flu: It’s caused by the influenza virus. People get affected by fever, nausea, body aches, and omitting.

Difficulty Swallowing: Dryness leads to discomfort during swallowing. It creates a sensation like something is stuck within the throat. 

Coughing: Another symptom of dry throat is frequent dry cough. It doesn’t produce phlegm or mucus.

Dry Mouth: One may experience dry mouth along with dry throat. This happens when a person sleeps with an open mouth. The air dehydrates the mouth by drying up the saliva.

• Bad Breath – Reduced saliva flow contributes to bad breath since saliva helps cleanse the mouth and remove bacteria.
• Throat Irritation – The dryness can make the throat more susceptible to irritation from possible allergens, pollutants, and respiratory infections.
• Nasal Congestion – Moreover, people experience nasal congestion due to dry throat.

Dry Throat Remedies

Here are some general treatments for dry throat symptoms –

• Stay Hydrated: Drinking adequate water, lemon water, or juice to stay hydrated.
• Eating Antioxidant-rich Foods: Garlic, ginger, and onions are good sources of an antioxidant named quercetin. Moreover, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. These reduce dry throat and nasal congestion due to hay fever.
• Gargles: Gargling is an excellent remedy for curing dry throat. Plain water or salt water gargling reduces dry throat symptoms and protects the upper respiratory tract. 
• Over-the-counter (OTC) Treatment: Taking intranasal drops, oral solutions, or sprays through the counter can help with nasal congestion and sore throat.
• Avoid Dehydration: Coffee and alcohol lead to dehydration. Thus, avoiding these drinks is necessary. 
• Pain Reliefs: Using acetaminophen or ibuprofen helps to reduce pain and fever.
• Taking Rest: If overuse of voice is the dry throat reason, then the patient needs to rest his voice. Also, rest helps the overall body recover fast. 
• Lozenges: Sucking herbal throat lozenges can improve the situation. 
• Treatment for Underlying Conditions: If someone has other conditions such as tonsillitis, acid reflux, or allergies, they should treat these first. 

Home Sore Throat Remedies

Sore throat is a self-limiting condition that usually improves with self-care. A few home remedies to expedite the recovery process are:

• Warm Saltwater Gargle – Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gargle with this solution for about 30 seconds and spit it out. Repeat several times a day to soothe dry sore throat. 
• Honey – Consuming honey helps soothe a sore throat. Mix a tablespoon of honey in warm water, herbal tea, or lemon water. 
• Warm Herbal Teas – Drink warm herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, or licorice tea. The plant compounds in these herbal teas provide soothing relief to the throat.
• Turmeric and Warm Milk – Mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe the dry sore throat.
• Lemon Water – Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a glass of warm water. Gargle with this mixture or sip on it throughout the day to soothe a dry sore throat.
• Cinnamon and Honey – Mix half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder with a tablespoon of honey. Take a spoonful of this mixture several times a day. Cinnamon has antimicrobial properties, and honey acts as a base to lubricate the throat.

When to See a Doctor

While most sore throats are caused by viral infections and resolve on their own within a few days, there are certain instances when it is advisable to see a doctor. These are:

• Severe or Worsening Symptoms – If the sore throat is severe and persists for more than a week or is getting worse despite self-care and sore throat remedies, it’s recommended to seek medical advice.
• Difficulty Breathing or Swallowing – If you experience difficulty in breathing and swallowing, or there is a persistent feeling of something stuck in the throat, it could be because of a throat infection. Seek medical advice for throat infection treatment.
• High Fever – If you have a persistent high fever, it’s advisable to consult a doctor immediately.
• Pus or White Patches – The surfacing of white patches, pus, or unusual discolouration on the tonsils or the back of your throat can be a sign of a bacterial infection. See a doctor for evaluation and appropriate treatment.
• Recurrent or Chronic Sore Throat – In case of frequent episodes of sore throats (several times a year) or the duration of each episode lasts for weeks or months, it’s recommended to see a healthcare professional.
• Other Concerning Symptoms – If the dry throat is accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as persistent hoarseness in voice, unexplained weight loss, persistent cough, or swollen neck glands, seek immediate medical attention.

Conclusion

A dry throat can cause discomfort and irritation, impacting daily comfort and well-being. The throat dryness causes are multifaceted and include factors like dehydration, mouth breathing, seasonal allergies and environmental factors. 

A typical dry throat is self-limiting and usually settles within a few days. For sore throat relief, home remedies like warm salt water gargles, honey, warm herbal teas, turmeric and warm milk, lemon water, and cinnamon and honey are helpful.

However, if a dry painful throat is accompanied by severe, persistent dry throat symptoms, it can be indicative of an underlying health problem. Medical treatment is mandatory in such cases. It is recommended to consult a doctor for proper evaluation and specialised dry throat treatment.