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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Sore throat after exercising
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Sore throat after exercising
by ripvanfish, Jul 31, 2004 12:00AM
I have multiple symptoms that have been bothering me for over two years. I used to be a college athlete (swimming, soccer) just 3 years ago, but now experience tight throat and trouble breathing any time I try even light exercise, then wake up the next morning with a sore throat and it takes days to recover. Also, after exercise my neck hurts when I wake up, mostly the right side. I have had post nasal drip and pressure in the eyes and cheeks and get tired very easily. Allergy tests indicate I am allergic only to dust mites and molds, but no antihistamines have helped (I've been on Allegra, AllegraD, Clarinex, Allerx). I have a history of anxiety, but don't mentally feel stressed, just aggrivated I can't do things I used to enjoy. Also, I have about 6-7 swollen lymph nodes on the right side of my neck, my doctor said they are nothing to worry about, but hasn't been able to do anything to alleviate my symptoms. The symptoms seem to be worse in summer - does this make sense for dust mite/mold allergy? Do you think anxiety could be a cause of some of these symptoms? Any advice for relief since the antihistamines don't seem to be effective?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Aug 10, 2004 12:00AM
, Aug 10, 2004 12:00AM
Dust mites and mold thrive in humid conditions. If you live in an area where the humidity is high in the summer these allergies could be adding to your symptoms.
The diagnosis most commonly associated with the symptoms you have described is called vocal cord dysfunction (VCD). This is a condition that can mimic asthma. However, VCD is not helped by asthma medicines. While inhaling the vocal cords should open to let air into the lungs. With VCD the vocal cords close together during inhalation. This makes it difficult for air to get into the lungs. A lot of the same things that trigger asthma can trigger VCD including upper respiratory infections, fumes, odors, reflux, cigarette smoke, singing, emotional upset, postnasal drip and exercise. Sometimes the trigger is not known. These attacks are also often seen with panic attacks or anxiety. Testing needs to be done while you are having symptoms. Breathing tests may be normal, but the “breathing in” or inspiratory part, also called an inspiratory flow volume loop, will show little airflow while you are inhaling. A laryngoscopy is a procedure done by a specialized doctor using a small camera at the end of a flexible tube to see how your vocal cords open and close. VCD is treated by a speech therapist that will instruct you in open throat breathing techniques. Counseling can help you identify and deal positively with chronic stress, which may be an underlying factor in VCD. Please read our Vocal Cord Dysfunction MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/vocal.html for more information. It is important for you to be evaluated by a doctor to determine the diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinus cavities. Inflammation of the sinuses could be due to an allergy, an infection, or ongoing exposure to an irritant, such as pollution or smoke. Symptoms can include a headache or pressure in the area of the sinuses, a stuffy nose, achy teeth, postnasal drip, cough, sore throat, laryngitis, lightheadedness, constant low fever, swollen lymph nodes, and thick, yellow to green nasal drainage. All of this may cause you to get tired very easily. This inflammation can block sinus drainage and cause increased mucus production. The mucus can drain from the nose and sinuses down the back of the throat causing a constant or intermittent postnasal drip and sore throat.
The best way to identify a sinus infection is with a sinus CT scan, although sinus x-rays are a decent alternative. A sinus CT scan will also identify if any of the openings that drain your sinuses are blocked. If your symptoms are due to sinusitis, they will last as long as the inflammation continues. Here are some ways to clear up the inflammation. Check with your doctor to see which of these would work best for you. Please read our Sinusitis MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/sin.html for more information.
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.
An antihistamine can dry up the postnasal drip. However, it may make the mucus thicker and more difficult to move. A decongestant like Sudafed® (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 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.
The diagnosis most commonly associated with the symptoms you have described is called vocal cord dysfunction (VCD). This is a condition that can mimic asthma. However, VCD is not helped by asthma medicines. While inhaling the vocal cords should open to let air into the lungs. With VCD the vocal cords close together during inhalation. This makes it difficult for air to get into the lungs. A lot of the same things that trigger asthma can trigger VCD including upper respiratory infections, fumes, odors, reflux, cigarette smoke, singing, emotional upset, postnasal drip and exercise. Sometimes the trigger is not known. These attacks are also often seen with panic attacks or anxiety. Testing needs to be done while you are having symptoms. Breathing tests may be normal, but the “breathing in” or inspiratory part, also called an inspiratory flow volume loop, will show little airflow while you are inhaling. A laryngoscopy is a procedure done by a specialized doctor using a small camera at the end of a flexible tube to see how your vocal cords open and close. VCD is treated by a speech therapist that will instruct you in open throat breathing techniques. Counseling can help you identify and deal positively with chronic stress, which may be an underlying factor in VCD. Please read our Vocal Cord Dysfunction MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/vocal.html for more information. It is important for you to be evaluated by a doctor to determine the diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinus cavities. Inflammation of the sinuses could be due to an allergy, an infection, or ongoing exposure to an irritant, such as pollution or smoke. Symptoms can include a headache or pressure in the area of the sinuses, a stuffy nose, achy teeth, postnasal drip, cough, sore throat, laryngitis, lightheadedness, constant low fever, swollen lymph nodes, and thick, yellow to green nasal drainage. All of this may cause you to get tired very easily. This inflammation can block sinus drainage and cause increased mucus production. The mucus can drain from the nose and sinuses down the back of the throat causing a constant or intermittent postnasal drip and sore throat.
The best way to identify a sinus infection is with a sinus CT scan, although sinus x-rays are a decent alternative. A sinus CT scan will also identify if any of the openings that drain your sinuses are blocked. If your symptoms are due to sinusitis, they will last as long as the inflammation continues. Here are some ways to clear up the inflammation. Check with your doctor to see which of these would work best for you. Please read our Sinusitis MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/sin.html for more information.
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.
An antihistamine can dry up the postnasal drip. However, it may make the mucus thicker and more difficult to move. A decongestant like Sudafed® (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 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.
