What Causes Throat Pain?

Brief Answer:
Various causes of throat pain has to be evaluated

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query

Throat pain could be due to various reasons such as, infection of the tonsil or pharynx, ulcer over tonsil or pharyngeal wall, nasal block or silent acid reflux, etc. A complete examination of the throat and the nose can help us in identifying the actual cause. The treatment is advocated after identifying the cause of the problem.

If you can post the photo of the throat, we will be able to help you in a better way. Meanwhile you can try the following:

1. Drink plenty of warm water, this re-hydrates the tissues and reduces the irritation.
2. Steam inhalation, followed by saline nasal spray, if you are having nasal block.
3. OTC pain relievers such as diclofenac or ibuprofen for the pain relief.
4. Avoid or minimize the following
• Alcohol/smoking
• Fried/Fatty Foods
• Spicy Foods
• Caffeinated/Carbonated Beverages

Hope this answers your query; I will be available for the follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

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Brief Answer:
I have gone through the query thoroughly...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

I had gone through the query thoroughly and understood your problem. With a sound medical knowledge, and in a conscious state, I had made an honest attempt in my previous response to provided you with a differential diagnosis of your condition.

Throat pain is a common symptom of varied eitiology. Even though you have provided adequate information about your problem, only a thorough examination of the nose, throat, larynx and the neck can indentify the exact cause of your problem.

Secondly, self examination has its own limitations and can miss vital signs.

1. In your description, you have mentioned that there is no redness in the throat, which partially rules out an active infection in the tonsils and the pharynx.

In the absence of throat congestion, any inflamed follicles or ulcers in the base of the tongue or behind the posterior pillar of the tonsil gets obscured and can be easily missed during self examination. This can be identified only by a proper examination of the throat.

The enlarged neck node is a sign of either inflammation or dormant infection in the throat or neck.

2. Many a times, symptomatic narrow nasal passages can go unnoticed because of mouth breathing. Mouth breathing dries up the throat and cause throat irritation and pain.

3. Laryngo-pharyngeal relux secondary to acid reflux can cause throat pain. 'Silent reflex' is the terminology used when there are no noticeable symptoms of acid reflux.

4. Environmental irritants, such as dust, dry heat or cold can also cause throat pain.

5. Voice abuse or straining of neck muscles can cause sore throat.

6. Above mentioned are the commonest eitiologies of throat pain. Other uncommon conditions include concretions in the prevertebral space, thyroid related issues, early malignancies, etc.

Hope I have answered your query; revert back to me if you have any more doubts.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

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