Why does the throat feel uncomfortable when we want to cry?
Dec 08, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Gang
Introduction
When wanting to cry, certain muscles in the throat remain tense and continuously contract, causing soreness and discomfort. Individuals who already have upper respiratory inflammatory conditions such as pharyngitis or laryngitis may experience increased mucosal congestion and swelling when they want to cry, thereby worsening throat discomfort. Additionally, high psychological stress, low mood, crying, or emotional excitement may lead to breathing difficulties and cause a sensation of throat discomfort.
Throat discomfort when wanting to cry may be caused by laryngeal muscle tension, inflammatory infections, or psychological factors, and treatment should target the underlying cause.
1. Laryngeal Muscle Tension
When feeling like crying, certain laryngeal muscles may become tense and remain in a state of sustained contraction, causing soreness and discomfort. Additionally, airflow during crying can impact the vocal cords, increasing their vibration and affecting sensory nerves beneath the mucosa, leading to throat discomfort. Symptoms typically improve once the muscles relax.
2. Inflammatory Infection
Pre-existing upper respiratory inflammatory conditions such as pharyngitis or laryngitis can lead to congestion and swelling of nasal and oral pharyngeal mucosa, along with enlarged lymphoid tissue. When wanting to cry, these areas may experience further irritation and increased congestion or swelling, resulting in throat discomfort. Under medical guidance, medications such as Honeysuckle Lozenges or Pharyngitis Tablets may be taken to relieve symptoms.
3. Psychological Factors
High levels of psychological stress or low mood, especially when suppressing tears, may lead to fluid deficiency and liver qi stagnation. Emotional excitement might also cause breathing difficulties, contributing to throat discomfort. It's important to manage emotional well-being; relaxing mentally often alleviates or eliminates these uncomfortable symptoms.
