Chronic Sore throat

[mmmm_104]

I have a sore throat that I cannot seem to shift.  I had my tonsils out when I was seven or so.  I have had the saw throat for a number of weeks.  Three weeks ago I coughed up some blood but this was only for one day.

I have had a chest x-ray, lung and blood test and these are all clear.

The doctor has given me an inhaler to try out but is not really sure, any ideas?

[National Jewish]

One possibility to talk with your doctor about is postnasal drip.  This is drainage from the nose and sinuses dripping down the back of the throat.  There could be several reasons for this drainage.  One reason is an allergy.  A second reason is a non-allergic, non-infectious inflammation in the sinuses that can linger after a cold.  A third reason is chronic sinusitis.

Postnasal drip can cause a sore throat as a result of irritation of the throat.  The blood that you coughed up could also be from the irritation.  You may experience the postnasal drip as a constant feeling of mucus at the back of your throat.  Typically this is worse at night when you lay down to sleep.  Generally this irritation feels the worst when you wake up and gets better as the day goes on.

The fat content in dairy products can thicken mucus.  Generally eating dairy products with less fat content is helpful.  Drinking plenty of water will help to thin the mucus so that it moves more easily.  As long as you are not on a fluid restriction you should be drinking 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of non-caffeine non-alcoholic fluid daily.  Clearing your throat can irritate your throat and make it sore.  When you feel the need to clear your throat sip some water to clear the mucus.

An antihistamine can dry up the postnasal drip.  However, it may make the mucus thicker and more difficult to move.  A decongestant like SudafedŽ (pseudoephedrine) can thin the postnasal drip and decrease the swelling so it drains easier.  A combination antihistamine-decongestant will do both.  Check with your doctor to see which of these would help you more.  Often an antihistamine and decongestant are taken only when the postnasal drip gets bad.  It may be more helpful to take the antihistamine and decongestant on a regular basis.

A nasal wash helps remove mucus and germs from your nose and sinuses.  This can temporarily decrease the postnasal drip and lessen your sore throat.  It is most helpful when done daily before using any nasal spray.  A prescription nasal steroid spray decreases mucus production by decreasing the inflammation of the nose and sinuses.  This may prevent the postnasal drip and sore throat.  A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms.  It may require several weeks of routine use to become effective.  Sometimes it takes the antihistamine, the decongestant, and the nasal wash followed by the nasal steroid spray ALL used routinely to keep the postnasal drip from bothering you.  Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique.  Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.

[starion]

Have you been checked for allergies?  Post nasal drip from allergies can often cause sore throat, which can clear up with proper treatment.

Another common cause is GERD, gastric reflux.  More info is availabla at www.NationalJewish.org/MedFacts/reflux.htm
If this is the cause it you obtain proper treatment, the sore throat should likewise clear up.

Another possibility is a cold or infection, bacterial or fungal.  Sometimes it can take some time for this to clear up as well.

A good doctor (internist or family practitioner) should work with you & help you determine which of these causes apply and help you get rid of your sore throat.

[mmmm_104]

Thanks for that, I am actually under treatment for allergies at the moment (I am allergic to tree pollen and dust mites)I am having injections every five weeks to hopefully make me immune.

I do not think it is GERD as I do not have the heart burn or stomach pains that are associated with that.

The problem is when I told my doctor about the allergy treatment he just jumped straight to the conclusion that that is the problem.  It may well be but he then seemed to sicount everything else.

[Concerned lady]

The type of GERD that causes sore throat, usually doesn't cause heartburn. So, I agree with Starion--ask your doctors to help you find out if you do have GERD--the high up type of GERD called LPR/laryngo pharyngeal reflux.

Have you seen an ENT (ear, nose & throat doctor) yet, about your sore throat?

Might you have an infection in your throat?

Could you be breathing bad quality air, with chemical fumes, toxic dusts, toxic fragrances, &/or dry air, that may be irritating your throat? Is there any mold from water leaks or floods?

Coughing up of blood needs to be checked on by a good doctor, to find out where the blood was coming from: Was it coming from your sinuses, throat, lungs? from your stomach? or ???

You can speak with a LUNG LINE nurse, to get some helpful suggestions, by calling 1-800-222-LUNG(5864), weekdays, 8am-4:30pm, Rocky Mountain time.

Good luck to you.
Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[AndyRRT]

This is NOT GERD. Seeing there is no gastrointestinal history or symptoms. (Please be careful when making such careless suggestions people!)

I would suggest contacting an ENT specialist. A common problem is infection of the adenoids (adenoids). These are located a bit higher than the tonsils. Also, you could have an inner ear infection causing your sore throat. The eustation tubes are connected to your throat and can pass infection that way. Another common cause would be your sinuses.


Andy RRT, CPFT

[Concerned lady]

When you get fully and accurately diagnosed, please let us know what you had! Good luck to you.

[alwayssore]

A related discussion, where do I start was started.

[bendragoshi]

A related discussion, this is for sore throat was started.