Sore throats are a common ailment that brings millions of people to the doctor every year. Often, it’s not a sign of any serious condition and will resolve itself in a few days with rest and/or proper treatment.
However, if you are suffering from a chronic sore throat that lasts weeks or even months, or one that comes back frequently, it may be due to an underlying condition that needs further treatment.
Common Causes of Chronic Sore Throat
A chronic sore throat can have many different causes, and figuring out what is triggering your symptoms is essential to treatment. Let’s take a look at a few more of the more common conditions that may be causing your symptoms.
- Tonsillitis: A condition where your tonsils become inflamed and infected. In a study of 1580 patients with a chronic sore throat lasting more than 12 weeks, tonsilitis was listed among the top causes.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD): This happens when stomach acid leaks up into your esophagus and causes symptoms like heartburn, chronic cough and sore throat, among others.
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR): Similar to GERD except for stomach acid instead gets into the back of the throat, causing pain and irritation.
- Environmental pollutants: Exposure to smoke or chemicals
- Allergies: Being allergic to things pollen, mold, dust mites and pest dander can cause a sore throat in addition to other allergy symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes.
Is a Chronic Sore Throat a Sign of Something Serious?
In rare cases, a persistent sore throat may be a sign of throat cancer. This type of cancer starts in your pharynx or larynx. In addition to throat pain, other symptoms may include shortness of breath, a lump or lumps in your neck and bleeding in the nose or mouth.
Treatment Options for Persistent Throat Pain
If you have a sore throat that just won’t go away, make an appointment with a medical provider. They will go over your symptoms and possibly take a throat culture or other tests depending on what they believe to be the cause.
Your specific plan of treatment will depend on what is causing your symptoms.
- Tonsilitis: Treated with antibiotics. If you suffer from frequent infections, your provider might recommend a tonsillectomy.
- Allergies: OTC or prescription medications can help to manage your symptoms. You may also want to take steps to minimize your triggers, such as using an air purifier in the house and avoiding places like Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve when pollen levels are high.
- Reflux (GERD or LPR): Dietary changes, stress reduction, and medications like proton pump inhibitors can eliminate your symptoms, including sore throat.
- Environmental pollutants. The only treatment option here is to avoid your triggers and/or wear protective gear when you are exposed.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms, contact the experts at Ear, Nose & Throat Associates today.