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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Sore throat with no other symptoms
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Sore throat with no other symptoms
by tnsai, Jul 13, 2004 12:00AM
Hi, for the past week or so, i've had a sore throat which has no other symptoms ( headache, fever and etc)
i noticed that it started on the day i had ssome particularly spicy food and since then its been there..
I also have a history of sinus problems.. and sometimes my sneezing irritates my throat
is there anything to be concerned about?
thanks
i noticed that it started on the day i had ssome particularly spicy food and since then its been there..
I also have a history of sinus problems.. and sometimes my sneezing irritates my throat
is there anything to be concerned about?
thanks
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Jul 14, 2004 12:00AM
, Jul 14, 2004 12:00AM
Only after examining your throat would it be possible to truly answer your question. However one possibility is that the spicy food has irritated your throat.
Another possibility is that your sinus problems are causing 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. 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 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.
Another possibility is that your sinus problems are causing 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. 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 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.
