Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Hello Dr. I Am 32/male/Indian Living In Canada And Have
Question: Hello Dr.
I am 32/male/Indian living in Canada and have been experiencing a very weird, never experienced before chronically dry throat since the past 3 months (beginning of Jan).
In mid-Jan, I visited a GP who did a strep swab that came positive, prescribed me 5 days of antibiotics, during which it felt cured, but the dryness returned soon after. Last month, I got tested for oral STDs and HIV (since I was a little promiscuous in December and performed oral sex on a couple of guys) which came back negative. The strep test came back negative this time too. GP ordered bloodwork (attaching results) and mono which was also negative. So they just prescribed me some nasal spray which I did not take.
My throat seems completely okay after I wake up, spit out some thick dark yellow mucous, take a shower and drink water, and starts getting dry again before sleeping. I feel the need to keep swallowing saliva to keep it from drying up. I%E2%80%99m also usually sleeping with my mouth open (breathing) as if my airways are blocked. I don%E2%80%99t know what%E2%80%99s wrong with my throat. I don%E2%80%99t smoke/drink and have no other symptoms/pain. The GPs here just say that the throat looks infected but only prescribe nasal sprays. I feel it could be something more serious. Please help me.
I am 32/male/Indian living in Canada and have been experiencing a very weird, never experienced before chronically dry throat since the past 3 months (beginning of Jan).
In mid-Jan, I visited a GP who did a strep swab that came positive, prescribed me 5 days of antibiotics, during which it felt cured, but the dryness returned soon after. Last month, I got tested for oral STDs and HIV (since I was a little promiscuous in December and performed oral sex on a couple of guys) which came back negative. The strep test came back negative this time too. GP ordered bloodwork (attaching results) and mono which was also negative. So they just prescribed me some nasal spray which I did not take.
My throat seems completely okay after I wake up, spit out some thick dark yellow mucous, take a shower and drink water, and starts getting dry again before sleeping. I feel the need to keep swallowing saliva to keep it from drying up. I%E2%80%99m also usually sleeping with my mouth open (breathing) as if my airways are blocked. I don%E2%80%99t know what%E2%80%99s wrong with my throat. I don%E2%80%99t smoke/drink and have no other symptoms/pain. The GPs here just say that the throat looks infected but only prescribe nasal sprays. I feel it could be something more serious. Please help me.
Brief Answer:
Recurrent sinusitis and Laryngopharyngeal reflux
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query.
I have gone through your query, examined the reports and the image. I have understood your problem and, my opinion is...
1. You seem to be having recurrent sinusitis which is causing the nasal congestion followed by the post nasal discharge. Recurrent nasal congestion causes mouth breathing leading to the dryness of the throat.
2. The image of the throat your posted shows no signs of infection. But, there is an enlargement of the tonsils along with granulation over the posterior pharyngeal wall.
3. Also, you seem to be having acid reflux disease which is causing recurrent dryness in the throat and the sense of phlegm getting stuck in the throat.
4. My advice to you is to continue with the spray given by the doctor. This helps in relieving the nasal congestion, followed by reduction in the dryness of throat.
5. Drink frequent sips of warm water and do steam inhalation. Avoid coffee spicy food, greasy food, fizzy drinks and smoking if any.
Hope this answers your query. I will be available for the follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Recurrent sinusitis and Laryngopharyngeal reflux
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query.
I have gone through your query, examined the reports and the image. I have understood your problem and, my opinion is...
1. You seem to be having recurrent sinusitis which is causing the nasal congestion followed by the post nasal discharge. Recurrent nasal congestion causes mouth breathing leading to the dryness of the throat.
2. The image of the throat your posted shows no signs of infection. But, there is an enlargement of the tonsils along with granulation over the posterior pharyngeal wall.
3. Also, you seem to be having acid reflux disease which is causing recurrent dryness in the throat and the sense of phlegm getting stuck in the throat.
4. My advice to you is to continue with the spray given by the doctor. This helps in relieving the nasal congestion, followed by reduction in the dryness of throat.
5. Drink frequent sips of warm water and do steam inhalation. Avoid coffee spicy food, greasy food, fizzy drinks and smoking if any.
Hope this answers your query. I will be available for the follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thanks for your reply Dr. A few queries:
1. You mentioned sinusitis, but I have absolutely no congestion in my nose. Doesn%E2%80%99t sinusitis usually manifest as a blocked nose?
2. What could be the reason for enlarged tonsils and granulation?
3. Do you notice a small bump on inner edge of the left tonsil? Is this something odd? Asking because I read something about peritonsillar abscess.
4. Finally, can I completely rule out something more serious related to the immune system?
I will start using the nasal spray and see if it helps. Thanks so much.
1. You mentioned sinusitis, but I have absolutely no congestion in my nose. Doesn%E2%80%99t sinusitis usually manifest as a blocked nose?
2. What could be the reason for enlarged tonsils and granulation?
3. Do you notice a small bump on inner edge of the left tonsil? Is this something odd? Asking because I read something about peritonsillar abscess.
4. Finally, can I completely rule out something more serious related to the immune system?
I will start using the nasal spray and see if it helps. Thanks so much.
Brief Answer:
Thick glob of mucus raised the suspicion of sinusitis
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
1. Sinusitis doesn’t always present with nasal block. The reason, why, I suspected sinusitis was the post nasal discharge. The thick glob of mucus was noticed on the pharyngeal wall in between the tonsils. Hence, I advised you to continue with the nasal spray.
2. The enlarged tonsils is due to recurrent throat infections, mouth breathing, etc. At present, this is not a cause of concern but this can definitely cause recurrent throat discomfort and snoring. The granulation noticed over the pharyngeal wall could be due to recurrent sinusitis, mouth breathing and acid reflux disease.
3. There is no sign of peritonsillar abscess over the left tonsil, it’s the lobulated shape of the tonsil with crypts inside it.
4. Do not worry! I can assure you that, there is no sign of any cancer or dangerous disease.
5. Chill out! Drink frequent sips of warm water, do steam inhalation and avoid coffee.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Thick glob of mucus raised the suspicion of sinusitis
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
1. Sinusitis doesn’t always present with nasal block. The reason, why, I suspected sinusitis was the post nasal discharge. The thick glob of mucus was noticed on the pharyngeal wall in between the tonsils. Hence, I advised you to continue with the nasal spray.
2. The enlarged tonsils is due to recurrent throat infections, mouth breathing, etc. At present, this is not a cause of concern but this can definitely cause recurrent throat discomfort and snoring. The granulation noticed over the pharyngeal wall could be due to recurrent sinusitis, mouth breathing and acid reflux disease.
3. There is no sign of peritonsillar abscess over the left tonsil, it’s the lobulated shape of the tonsil with crypts inside it.
4. Do not worry! I can assure you that, there is no sign of any cancer or dangerous disease.
5. Chill out! Drink frequent sips of warm water, do steam inhalation and avoid coffee.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2543 Questions
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
