We usually think of sore throats as a sign of a cold or flu, but they can come from other places too, some unexpected, some more serious. Here are a few lesser-known reasons your throat might feel sore or scratchy:
1. Acid Reflux
Stomach acid can move up into your throat without you even noticing. It’s more common at night and can leave your throat irritated in the morning, especially if you sleep flat or eat close to bedtime.
2. Hot Drinks and Spicy Food
Very hot liquids and spicy meals can irritate your throat lining. Even if you’re not sick, these can trigger dryness or burning sensations.
3. Mouth Breathing
When you breathe through your mouth, often due to a blocked nose, it dries out your throat.
4. Dehydration
This one may seem obvious, but simply not drinking enough water can leave your throat dry and uncomfortable. Keep your water bottle handy to prevent minor throat irritation.
5. Yelling, Shouting or Overuse
Raising your voice a lot, whether you’re screaming, cheering, or singing, can strain the muscles in your throat and leave it feeling sore.
6. Tooth or Gum Infections
A dental infection, like a tooth abscess, can cause pain that spreads to the throat. If your throat pain is on one side and comes with a sore tooth or gum swelling, see a dentist.
7. Common Viral Infections
Measles, chickenpox, and COVID-19 can cause sore throats, even if you don’t have the usual cold or flu symptoms.
8. HIV
HIV can cause a sore throat. If you’re unsure of your status and have ongoing symptoms, it’s important to get tested.
9. Sleep Apnoea
People with sleep apnoea often snore loudly. In some cases, the strain on the throat from disrupted breathing may also cause irritation.
10. Growths or Masses in the Throat
Benign growths or enlarged tissues in the throat can cause persistent soreness or a “lump in the throat” feeling.
References
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6333070/ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8274-sore-throat-pharyngitis https://www.healthline.com/health/sore-throat-on-one-side https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635
