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Throat Infection, Itchy Throat, Discomfort, Obstruction While Swallowing. Suggest What Is Wrong With Me.
Question: Hello Dr,
I am suffering from a throat related infection from past 5,6 years. Have been using many medicines but of no big use. I frequently(once in a month) feel severe itching sensation in the throat for 2,3 days continuously(During those 3 days it would be like hell. I will not be able to eat or drink properly due to this itching sensation). In such a situation when i consult a dr they say its just a normal throat infection and give me some medicines, but i feel no difference. For temporary relief i use TUSQ lozenges along with strepsils. When ever i sleep late or get up early or take cooldrinks this problems intensifies. Apart from this regular itching sensation, daily i feel quiet uncomfortable with my throat. I feel that there is something in my throat which is kind of obstructing and i try to swallow it(but there would be nothing)......i keep clearing my throat....and my throat becomes dry within 10-15 min of drinking water.......so for every 10-15min i have to drink water, otherwise i get this itching sensation......Please suggest me what might be wrong with me........
I am suffering from a throat related infection from past 5,6 years. Have been using many medicines but of no big use. I frequently(once in a month) feel severe itching sensation in the throat for 2,3 days continuously(During those 3 days it would be like hell. I will not be able to eat or drink properly due to this itching sensation). In such a situation when i consult a dr they say its just a normal throat infection and give me some medicines, but i feel no difference. For temporary relief i use TUSQ lozenges along with strepsils. When ever i sleep late or get up early or take cooldrinks this problems intensifies. Apart from this regular itching sensation, daily i feel quiet uncomfortable with my throat. I feel that there is something in my throat which is kind of obstructing and i try to swallow it(but there would be nothing)......i keep clearing my throat....and my throat becomes dry within 10-15 min of drinking water.......so for every 10-15min i have to drink water, otherwise i get this itching sensation......Please suggest me what might be wrong with me........
Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for the query. I am happy to help you with your question.
Your description is not at all consistent with a throat infection. Recurrent, identical bouts of pain of 2-3 days duration at approximately monthly intervals is not how throat infections behave. Furthermore, infections do not typically itch. I would ask whether your treating doctors performed any throat cultures to document the infection?
If I were your treating physician, I would investigate then possibility of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), which could cause symptoms similar to yours. I see you are already on acid reducing medication, so presumably you already have GERD. However, not all GERD is completely treated with acid reducing medications. A hiatal hernia might cause persistent reflux symptoms despite gastric pH control. Also, with your description of itching, I would entertain the possibility of allergies and indeed, I see you are on antihistamine medication as well.
I would start with a study to see if you have a hiatal hernia. This can be diagnosed with a contrast barium x XXXXXXX (barium swallow), CT or by endoscopy. I would request a throat culture prior to prescribing more antibiotics, as chronic use of antibiotics can be XXXXXXX Finally, I would ask that your doctor consider chronic sinus infection, which can persist even through multiple short courses of antibiotics.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer any follow up regarding this query. Once you are satisfied with all my answer, please accept it.
Best regards,
Dr. Schwartz
Thanks for the query. I am happy to help you with your question.
Your description is not at all consistent with a throat infection. Recurrent, identical bouts of pain of 2-3 days duration at approximately monthly intervals is not how throat infections behave. Furthermore, infections do not typically itch. I would ask whether your treating doctors performed any throat cultures to document the infection?
If I were your treating physician, I would investigate then possibility of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), which could cause symptoms similar to yours. I see you are already on acid reducing medication, so presumably you already have GERD. However, not all GERD is completely treated with acid reducing medications. A hiatal hernia might cause persistent reflux symptoms despite gastric pH control. Also, with your description of itching, I would entertain the possibility of allergies and indeed, I see you are on antihistamine medication as well.
I would start with a study to see if you have a hiatal hernia. This can be diagnosed with a contrast barium x XXXXXXX (barium swallow), CT or by endoscopy. I would request a throat culture prior to prescribing more antibiotics, as chronic use of antibiotics can be XXXXXXX Finally, I would ask that your doctor consider chronic sinus infection, which can persist even through multiple short courses of antibiotics.
I hope I have answered your query. I will be available to answer any follow up regarding this query. Once you are satisfied with all my answer, please accept it.
Best regards,
Dr. Schwartz
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. Raju A.T
Answered by
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