Surely every person experienced a sensation of dry throat, everyone knows how unpleasant it is. This symptom can be observed in various conditions and not necessarily pathological. Dryness is temporary or permanent, but in most cases it is temporary. Moreover, it can appear during the day and disappear at night and vice versa. The mucous membrane of the oropharynx dries up for many reasons and before starting treatment, you need to find out the causes of this symptom.
Causes
Strongly dries the throat, most often with infectious diseases of the nasopharynx, the causative agents of which are viruses, bacteria, fungi, sticks, helminths. The secret of the mucous membrane of the oropharynx contains conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, which become pathogenic with factors unfavorable for humans. It is enough to get very cold, eat ice cream in the cold, talk to a sick person to start the infection process.
Mucus performs a barrier function, prevents drying out and injury to the mucous membrane. When inflammation begins, the mucus dries up due to the destructive activity of pathogenic microbes that release toxins.
Infection always occurs against the background of reduced human immunity
Therefore, children under 6-7 years old, pregnant women, the elderly, smokers, patients with chronic pathologies are constantly at risk.
Dry throat causes:
- laryngitis - inflammation that affects larynx;
- pharyngitis - inflammation of the pharynx;
- acute and chronic tonsillitis - inflammation of the tonsils;
- diphtheria - an acute infectious process in the oropharynx;
- scarlet fever is a contagious disease that occurs mainly in childhood;
- tonsillectomy;
- allergic reactions to irritating microparticles in the air, food, chemical irritants;
- smoking, drinking alcohol;
- prolonged stay in a too dry and hot room;
- causes of dry throat can be in diseases of the nose: rhinitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, curvature of the nasal septum, polyps in the nose, as a result of these pathologies - a violation of nasal breathing and the habit of breathing through the mouth;
- dysfunction of the salivary glands;
- thinning of the mucous membrane (destruction), a decrease in the production of secretions in old age;
- the mucous membrane can dry out under the influence of certain medications: antihistamines, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, antibiotics;
- diseases of the digestive tract, dehydration, overeating at night, excessive consumption of hot spices, sauces and marinades;
- disruption of the thyroid gland, beginning hyperthyroidism. This organ produces hormonal substances that actively affect not only the work of the brain, but also the state of the mucous membranes and skin;
- blood diseases;
- endocrine pathologies, in particular diabetes mellitus.
Diagnostic tests
To figure out how to get rid of dry throat, you need to understand the cause of the pathology, and here you need the help of a specialist. He conducts a thorough survey, in the process of which he finds out the patient's complaints, the time of the onset of the symptom, finds out the pathologies that the patient suffered earlier or is sick at a given point in time. The doctor examines the nasopharynx, takes smears for bacteriological culture and, if necessary, prescribes consultations of other specialists: endocrinologist, hematologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist. Chest x-ray, abdominal ultrasound, fibrogastroscopy, blood and urine tests may be needed.
Traditional therapy methods
Comprehensive treatment is selected depending on the cause of the condition.
1. For bacterial infections, broad-spectrum antibiotics, symptomatic drugs, antihistamines, interferons are prescribed. In severe viral diseases, antiviral drugs are prescribed. Antibiotics for ARVI are contraindicated.
2. It is impossible to effectively treat throat ailments without diet and drinking regimen. Foods that provoke dryness are excluded from the diet: canned food, homemade marinade, dairy products, ice cream, fatty, sweet foods. You do not need to eat hot and cold food, so as not to irritate the throat once again, as well as solid food, so as not to injure it. You need to eat more fruits and vegetables, but without the peel.
The last meal should be no later than three hours before bedtime.
Drink regularly throughout the day. It can be warm teas, non-acidic jelly and fruit drinks, low-fat dairy products, warm mineral water without gas. It is undesirable to drink hot chocolate, coffee, alcoholic beverages.
3. If the patient associates the appearance of a symptom with taking medications, it is imperative to tell the attending physician about this. You may need an additional examination followed by a correction of treatment.
4. You should monitor the microclimate in the apartment. Maintain air humidity of 50-60% and a temperature of no more than 20 degrees, often ventilate the room, do wet cleaning, use humidifiers or place containers with water on heating devices.
5. Treatment of dry and sore throat is not complete without local therapy. Frequent rinsing of the nasopharynx with warm saline helps well. For perspiration and coughing, the use of lozenges is effective. They do not act on the body systemically, therefore they are absolutely safe for health.
6. As an additional therapy is used:
- ozone therapy - ozone strengthens the immune system, improves blood supply to organs, has a beneficial effect on the entire body, enriches the blood with useful substances;
- laser therapy - affects not only the mucous membrane at the molecular level, but also the body as a whole. Under the influence of the laser, the trophism of the mucous membranes is improved;
- physiotherapy - restores the affected areas;
- mineral therapy - with the help of ultrasonic technologies, the mucous membrane is restored with mineral salts;
- vacuum ultrasound - cleans the tonsils and surrounding tissues, restores their structure.
Traditional methods of therapy
- you can remove dryness using vegetable oil: 5ml at night;
- what to do to maintain water balance: boil carrots in milk, drink 10 ml after meals; carrot juice or radish juice or onion juice or cranberry juice with honey 1: 1, drink 20 ml three times a day; drink cabbage juice;
- brew viburnum, drink like tea and gargle;
- for rinsing, use boiled pomegranate peel, eat pomegranate seeds;
- use cherries in any form (compotes, jams, jelly, fruit drinks, fresh and dried berries);
- to strengthen the immune system, eat black currants in any form.
Prophylaxis
Despite the different causes of dry throat, prevention comes down to the same type of measures:
- hardening the body from childhood, strengthening immunity;
- rejection of bad habits;
- rinsing the nasopharynx with saline during the season of infectious diseases;
- avoiding contact with infected people;
- constant maintenance of an optimal microclimate in the apartment;
- adherence to the drinking regime, you need to drink at least 1.5-2 liters of water, and in the summer - 2.5-3 liters of water to avoid dehydration;
- timely access to a doctor, dispensary observation for chronic diseases.
