What causes a sore throat after having a gastroscopy?
Oct 14, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhao Haiming
Introduction
During a gastroscopy, improper manipulation by the doctor may cause injury to the mucous membrane of the throat, resulting in sore throat after the procedure. A sore throat following gastroscopy may also occur if the patient fails to follow the dietary instructions provided by the doctor, such as eating too early or consuming irritating foods, which can worsen the mucosal injury or lead to infection.
Sore throat after undergoing a gastroscopy may be caused by injury, allergic pharyngitis, acute pharyngitis, acute suppurative tonsillitis, esophagitis, or other reasons. Appropriate treatment can help relieve pain and reduce complications.
1. Injury
During gastroscopy, a tube equipped with a camera is inserted into the stomach. Improper operation may injure the pharyngeal mucosa, causing discomfort such as redness, swelling, and pain. Maintaining a light diet consisting mainly of liquid or semi-liquid foods, along with minimizing talking, can promote healing of the injury.
2. Allergic Pharyngitis
Anesthesia is commonly used during gastroscopy. If a patient is allergic to the anesthetic, it may trigger allergic pharyngitis, resulting in symptoms such as coughing, itchy throat, and sore throat. Following medical advice to appropriately use antihistamines—such as dimenhydrinate tablets, promethazine hydrochloride tablets, or ebastine tablets—can help suppress the allergic reaction and alleviate symptoms.
3. Acute Pharyngitis
Gastroscopy may take a prolonged time, leading to repeated irritation of the pharyngeal mucosa. This may cause significant damage and subsequent pathogen infection, resulting in acute pharyngitis and symptoms such as throat pain and difficulty swallowing. As directed by a physician, using antibiotics such as azithromycin dispersible tablets, ampicillin capsules, or cefixime capsules can help reduce inflammation and relieve discomfort.
4. Acute Suppurative Tonsillitis
Gastroscopy may damage the tonsillar mucosa, leading to infection and nonspecific acute inflammation, which results in acute suppurative tonsillitis. This condition often causes significant throat pain, swelling, fever, and other symptoms. Following a doctor’s instructions to properly use antibiotics such as cefaclor capsules, amoxicillin capsules, or ampicillin capsules can help control the inflammatory response.
5. Esophagitis
Mechanical irritation during gastroscopy may affect the esophagus, potentially causing dryness, injury, or gastric acid reflux, which can trigger esophagitis and lead to throat pain, nausea, and other discomforts. As directed by a physician, using corticosteroids such as prednisone acetate tablets, dexamethasone acetate tablets, or methylprednisolone tablets may help improve the condition.
If the pain is severe or persists for an extended period, timely and standardized treatment should be sought under medical supervision.
