Everybody has dealt with a dry throat at some point in their lives. While it isn’t the most pleasant experience, dry throats are normal, especially if you feel nervous or haven’t drunk enough water.
However, if the condition persists, it may be a sign of an underlying problem. After a while, you may start to wonder: “Why is my throat so dry, and what can I do about it?”
Why Is My Throat So Dry? 5 Reasons
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As previously mentioned, a dry throat could point toward a more serious condition. That’s why it is vital to know what the cause is so that you can seek the necessary treatment. The following are just some of the most common reasons why you might be dealing with a dry throat.
1. Dehydration
The dryness in your throat can be a sign that you are dealing with dehydration. In fact, when you are dehydrated, your body doesn’t produce as much saliva as needed to moisten your throat and mouth. Other symptoms of dehydration include:
• Fatigue
• Thirst
• Dizziness
• Darker Urine
2. Allergies
Seasonal allergies can lead to congestion in your nose, which forces you to breathe through your mouth. Eventually, that will dry out your throat. Additionally, the extra mucus can drip down your throat and make your throat sore.
3. Common Cold
Common colds are infections caused by a variety of viruses. They usually result in a dry and scratchy throat, sneezing, coughing, and mild fever. Be careful not to confuse it with the flu, which is a respiratory illness with similar symptoms.
4. Tonsillitis
Tonsils are two soft tissues that sit in the back of your throat. Sometimes, they can become infected by viruses and bacteria. If that happens, you will experience a dry throat, fever, headaches, and bad breath.
5. Mononucleosis
Mononucleosis is a disease that passes from person to person through saliva. The most common symptoms of this condition are a scratchy and dry throat. If you are dealing with mononucleosis, you might also encounter other symptoms like fever, tiredness, headaches, and swollen tonsils.
5 Ways to Treat a Dry Throat
Although dry throat isn’t life-threatening, it is a pesky condition. Fortunately, there are a couple of ways you can treat it, depending on the cause.
1. Drink More Water
Most specialists recommend for men to drink an average of 15.5 cups of fluid per day, and 11.5 cups for women. Doing so will reduce the chance of dehydration and give you more energy throughout the day. Keep in mind that you can also get 20% of that fluid intake from vegetables, fruits, and other foods.
2. Avoid Allergens
If your throat is dry due to allergies, you’ll have to avoid your triggers. So, stay indoors with the windows closed during the peak of an allergy season. Also, you should clean up any mold that you might find inside your house. And don’t forget to regularly wash your sheets in hot water.
3. Take Medication
Over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil and Tylenol can help reduce the effects of a cold, including dry and sore throat. If you are suffering from the flu, you can even take antiviral drugs. Just be careful to consult your doctor before taking them, otherwise, you might experience side effects such as dizziness, nausea, and even vomiting.
4. Suck on Throat Lozenges
Sucking on throat lozenges promotes saliva production, which coats the throat and reduces dryness. You’ll be able to find a variety of throat lozenges at your local pharmacy or convenience store.
5. Get Some Rest
Sometimes, the best way to get rid of a dry throat is to get plenty of rest. That will give your immune system a chance to fight off the virus and reduce the effects of the flu and cold.
When to See a Doctor
More often than not, you should be able to treat your throat at home. However, you will need to see a doctor if your symptoms worsen or last longer than one week. They will be able to make a diagnosis and find any underlying health problems.
You should also contact your physician if you notice more severe symptoms, such as:
• Chest pain
• Rashes
• Wheezing
• Fever
• Excessive tiredness
