What should I do about a dry, itchy throat and cough?
Dec 27, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Cheng
Introduction
Dryness, itching, and coughing in the throat may be caused by excessive voice use, dry air, unhealthy lifestyle habits, chronic pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, or other factors. Treatment may include general care and medication under a doctor's guidance. It is also important to develop healthy lifestyle habits in daily life, such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding late nights, and maintaining a regular作息 (schedule), which can help prevent the above conditions.
Generally speaking, the throat refers to the pharynx. Dryness, itching, and coughing in the throat may be caused by excessive voice use, dry air, unhealthy lifestyle habits, chronic pharyngitis, acute tonsillitis, and other factors. Treatment options, such as general care and medication, can be used under the guidance of a doctor. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Excessive Voice Use
Extended or high-intensity use of the voice, such as speaking loudly or singing, can fatigue the vocal cords and throat muscles, leading to localized congestion and inflammation, which cause dryness, itching, and coughing. It is important to schedule voice usage properly and avoid prolonged or continuous talking or singing.
2. Dry Air
Insufficient air humidity can cause evaporation of moisture from the throat mucosa, resulting in dryness and triggering itching and cough reflexes. It is recommended to use a humidifier to maintain indoor air moisture and drink plenty of water to keep the throat moist.
3. Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits
Habits such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and staying up late can damage the throat mucosa and reduce its defense capabilities, leading to dryness, itching, and coughing. It is advised to quit smoking, limit alcohol intake, maintain a healthy sleep schedule, avoid consuming spicy or irritating foods, and reduce throat irritation.
4. Chronic Pharyngitis
Chronic pharyngitis is typically caused by recurrent episodes of acute pharyngitis or long-term irritation from smoking and alcohol consumption. The pharyngeal mucosa remains congested and swollen for a prolonged period, with inflammatory secretions causing dryness, itching, and coughing. It may also be accompanied by symptoms such as a foreign body sensation or burning feeling in the throat. Medications such as Yinhuang Tablets, Pharyngitis Tablets, and Pudilan Xiaoyan Oral Liquid can be used under the guidance of a doctor for treatment.
5. Acute Tonsillitis
Acute tonsillitis is often caused by bacterial infections, with streptococcus infection being common. Bacterial infection leads to swelling, congestion of the tonsils, accompanied by purulent inflammation. Inflammatory secretions cause dryness, itching, and coughing in the throat. Symptoms may also include difficulty swallowing and high fever. Treatment requires following medical advice to use medications such as Roxithromycin Capsules, Jinhualan Granules, and Pudilan Anti-inflammatory Tablets.
Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, avoiding late nights, and keeping a regular schedule can help prevent these conditions.
