Symptoms of pharyngitis caused by smoking

Pharyngolaryngitis caused by smoking may refer to inflammation of the pharynx and larynx triggered by long-term unhealthy habits such as smoking. Symptoms include sore throat, hoarseness, cough, a sensation of a foreign body in the throat, dryness, and others. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Sore Throat

After the onset of chronic simple pharyngolaryngitis, inflammatory stimulation may lead to congestion and edema of the mucous membranes in the throat, causing throat pain that worsens during swallowing or speaking. Patients may also experience sensations of burning or roughness.

2. Hoarseness

Inflammation may cause congestion and swelling of the vocal cord mucosa, resulting in a rough or low voice that gradually becomes hoarse, and in severe cases, complete loss of voice may occur.

3. Cough

Inflammatory irritation can increase mucus secretion from the throat's mucous membranes. When this mucus adheres to the posterior pharyngeal wall, it may trigger a reflexive, irritating cough. This may be accompanied by nausea or dry heaving.

4. Sensation of a Foreign Body in the Throat

Patients often feel as if there is a foreign object in their throat—such as sticky phlegm or a blockage—like something stuck in the throat that cannot be swallowed or spit out. This sensation becomes more pronounced when swallowing saliva but may lessen slightly during eating.

5. Dryness

Inflammation may disrupt normal secretory function of the throat's mucous membranes, reducing saliva production and leading to dryness. Patients frequently report a dry, itchy throat and often need to drink water to relieve discomfort.

Upon experiencing the above symptoms, it is recommended to actively eliminate causative factors—for example, quitting smoking and alcohol consumption, improving work environments—and seek standardized treatment under medical guidance to promote recovery.