What Causes A Dry Throat?

A dry throat is a symptom often associated with upper respiratory infections, though certain medications can also cause it. Individuals who have a dry throat also often have soreness in their throat, and they may find it difficult to talk or swallow. A dry throat can sometimes be accompanied by swelling and pain in the glands of the neck and jaw, and some patients may have white patches or pus in their tonsils. Patients who experience a dry throat that does not resolve after a week of home treatment should visit their primary doctor or an ear, nose, and throat specialist to determine the cause and the proper steps to resolve it. Some of the most common causes of a dry throat are outlined below.

Cold And Flu

Cold and flu can both produce a dry throat, and they are one of the major causes of this in otherwise healthy individuals. Both the cold and the flu are considered illnesses of the upper respiratory tract, and they are both triggered by different viruses. The common cold and influenza viruses often produce very similar symptoms, and it can be difficult for patients to tell them apart. It is essential to consider the onset of these illnesses to determine if it if the common cold or the flu causing the dry throat. Influenza typically develops suddenly and very quickly, sometimes in a matter of hours; a cold generally produces milder symptoms that appear gradually over several days. A sore or dry throat is very common in patients with a cold, and while patients with the flu can also have this symptom, it is much less common with the flu.

Keep reading to learn more about what can cause a dry throat.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition that affects the digestive system. Specifically, it affects a ring of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter, an area between the stomach and the esophagus. Gastroesophageal reflux disease can cause many symptoms that affect the throat, including difficulty swallowing, the feeling of a lump in the throat, and the regurgitation of food or sour liquid. Individuals who experience symptoms of reflux disease at night may also have a chronic cough or develop asthma or laryngitis. Patients who have a dry throat due to reflux disease may find some relief from this symptom by taking medication for heartburn. Both over-the-counter and prescription antacids and proton pump inhibitors can help to reduce the stomach acid that leads to uncomfortable throat symptoms. Patients who believe they may have reflux disease should consider being evaluated by a gastroenterologist who can provide specialist treatment options and complete assessments.

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