What should I do about a dry and sore throat?
Dec 21, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Cheng
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the throat refers to the pharynx. Dryness and pain in the throat may be caused by factors such as a dry environment, excessive voice use, chronic pharyngitis, Sjögren's syndrome, diabetes, and others. Treatment may include general measures and medication under a doctor's guidance. It is also important to maintain a regular作息 (sleep-wake cycle), go to bed early, wake up early, avoid staying up late, and ensure normal metabolism and repair of the body's organs and systems.
Generally speaking, the throat refers to the pharynx. Dryness and pain in the throat may be caused by factors such as dry environment, excessive voice use, chronic pharyngitis, Sjögren's syndrome, diabetes, and others. Treatment options, including general therapy and medication, can be adopted under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Dry Environment
A dry environment reduces air humidity, accelerating evaporation of moisture from the pharyngeal mucosa, which may cause dryness and throat pain. A humidifier can be used in daily life to increase indoor humidity, especially during winter heating or summer air conditioning use, when indoor humidity should be closely monitored and adjusted.
2. Excessive Voice Use
Prolonged loud speaking, singing, or shouting causes frequent contractions of throat muscles, leading to poor local blood circulation. The secretion function of submucosal glands becomes suppressed, reducing mucus production and impairing the throat's lubrication, resulting in dryness and pain. It is recommended to manage voice usage time reasonably and avoid prolonged continuous vocalization.
3. Chronic Pharyngitis
Chronic pharyngitis often develops from repeated episodes of acute pharyngitis that fail to heal completely, or from chronic inflammation in the nasal cavity, nasal sinuses, and other respiratory areas that continuously irritate the throat. Long-term inflammation keeps the pharyngeal mucosa in a state of chronic inflammation, damaging the mucosal epithelium and reducing glandular secretory function. Decreased mucus secretion, combined with persistent inflammatory factors increasing nerve ending sensitivity, leads to dryness and pain. Symptoms such as nausea and dry retching may also appear. Under medical guidance, patients may use medications such as watermelon frost throat tablets, pharyngitis tablets, or throat-clearing granules for treatment.
4. Sjögren's Syndrome
Sjögren's syndrome primarily results from immune system dysfunction, wherein the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own exocrine glands, causing severe impairment of secretory functions such as saliva and tear production. When salivary glands are damaged, saliva production sharply decreases, leaving the throat mucosa inadequately lubricated, leading to dryness, cracking, and pain. Patients may also experience symptoms such as difficulty swallowing and joint pain. Under medical advice, patients may use medications such as anethole trithione tablets, cyclophosphamide combination tablets, or hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets for treatment.
5. Diabetes
Insufficient insulin secretion or impaired insulin function leads to persistently elevated blood glucose levels. In this hyperglycemic state, blood osmotic pressure increases, drawing water out of cells. Throat mucosal cells become dehydrated, causing dryness. Patients may also exhibit symptoms such as increased thirst and appetite. Under a doctor's recommendation, patients may use medications such as metformin hydrochloride tablets, glipizide tablets, or insulin aspart injection for treatment.
Maintain a regular lifestyle with early bedtime and early rising, avoid staying up late, and ensure normal metabolism and repair of all body organs and systems. Additionally, maintain a balanced diet by consuming more water- and vitamin-rich vegetables and fruits, such as pears, apples, and cucumbers, and avoid excessive intake of spicy, greasy, or overly salty foods.
