What Causes a Dry Throat?
Dry throat is generally due to drinking alcohol, caffeine, smoking, allergies, acid reflux, certain medications, and various medical conditions.
Dehydration
Dehydration may cause dry mouth and other symptoms like thirstiness or headache. Mouth breathing, as well as being in a dry area, can be able to cause a dry throat.
A natural variation in the clocks of our circadian rhythm is that less saliva is released in the evening. That’s why a dry throat can be more apparent in the early morning.
Mild dehydration is not something to be concerned about, and it is usually prevented by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
Sleep Apnea
Patients with sleep apnea are more likely to suffer from dry mouth. In a recent study, the authors discovered that this association is due to differences in BMI or body mass index instead of sleeping apnea. Obesity is among the most risk factors for sleep apnea and is believed to cause salivary gland dysfunction.
Breathing through the mouth is common among people suffering from sleep apnea. It can cause dryness in the mouth.
Dry Throat Symptoms?
The feeling of having a dry throat during the night is not uncommon. It’s also possible to experience dry throats during the day.
You should be diagnosed and treated if you are experiencing frequent dry throats. If you don’t have dry sores and other symptoms, there are additional indicators and signs that can indicate your health is at risk:
- mouth breathing
- snoring
- difficulty swallowing or chewing food
- Obstructed breathing
- disturbed sleep
Top Four Causes Of Dry Throat
Dry throat is due to a variety of factors, the most common are listed below:
The nasal breathing process is by default. It helps to reduce the loss of moisture from the soft tissues. When we breathe with our mouth, it rapidly dries our mouths out. The nighttime breathing of the mouth often results in snoring.
Allergies
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, the immune system produces a substance known as histamine. It releases when an allergic reaction can trigger a dry throat.
Medications
The dry throat that occurs most unnaturally is medication. Diphenhydramine is present in some anticholinergic drugs, such as antidepressants and sleeping pills, and can induce dryness.
Mononucleosis
Often referred to as the “kissing disease,” this typically transmits through bodily fluids of a person and causes a dry, scratchy throat.
Tonsillitis
Tonsil irritation, a common cause is viral or bacterial infections, can be described as an inflammation of the tonsils. Dry throats may be a sign of tonsillitis.
Treatment
People seeking treatment for dry mouth will likely require a product that provides comfort and ease. The majority of them are OTC solutions. The treatment for dry mouth may be classified into four categories:
Preservation of saliva, Saliva substitution and stimulation of saliva, Prevention of caries and the yeast Candida infection.
Saliva Preservation
If salivary content is not high, the person must make everything possible to keep the mouth’s tissues as moist as possible and avoid things that can dry out the mouth.
People with dry mouths should breathe through their noses rather than through their mouths when feasible. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco is crucial.
A humidifier to bring more moisture into a room or near the bed is beneficial, particularly during sleep.
Saliva Substitution
There are numerous home remedies to replenish the water that saliva supplies for the mouth. It includes drinking more water during the day and particularly during meals.
Drinking ice chips throughout the day can assist in helping the mouth stay as moist as possible. Mouthwashes can be beneficial. However, they can also cause harm.
When selecting a mouthwash, select one that contains zero alcohol, like Biotene. Alcohol-based products are likely to cause additional dry throat.
Closys mouthwash is highly beneficial due to the absence of alcohol and its powerful germ-killing properties. Artificial OTC saliva replacements and oral lubricants that contain Glycerin can help eat and speak.
It can’t cure xerostomia but will offer some relief. Use Vaseline or a balm to moisturize lips.
Saliva Stimulation
Lozenges, lemon drops, and lemons that are sugar-free or other hard candies are also a great way to stimulate the salivary glands.
Other options include medicines that can help boost salivary flow, like pilocarpine Salagen and cevimeline Evoxac.
Those suffering from eye conditions such as glaucoma or asthma avoid these medications.
Prevention Of Caries And Candida Infection
Periodontal diseases, as well as fungal infections, are typical consequences of dry throat. Dry oral environments make plaque control more complex, so thorough oral hygiene is essential to prevent caries and periodontal diseases.
Patients with gingivitis adopt a diet low in sugar and start using fluoride treatments to counter dry mouth’s effects.
A prescription toothpaste with more calcium, fluoride, and phosphate can assist in protecting and remineralizing teeth. Regular dental visits are required to manage the effects of these conditions. People with dry mouths often suffer from fungal infections, such as candidiasis and oral thrush.
They might require a topical antifungal treatment like rinses or tablets for dissolving. Dental implants are often the source of fungal infections.