Throat Feels Dry? 7 Reasons You Might Have A Dry Throat

Overview

Something as menial as a dry throat can arise from an innumerable range of factors, whether health conditions, environmental conditions or even consumption habits. In this progressive world, despite all the top-notch technology, air, water and other forms of pollution are not under control.

There is a constant release of toxic gases in the atmosphere, be it from vehicles or factories. Sadly, we are a part of this eco-system that runs on a sub-conscious note and is aware of the self-destruction being caused. We are constantly breathing in the same air that we contribute to ruining, by our activities.

Speaking of food, there are now thousands of companies and individuals that are formulating new combinations of ingredients in the search for the ‘tastiest’ and ‘healthiest’ snack available to mankind.

Many times this composition of edibles is not ideal for consumption for everybody and can lead to unwanted allergies, downsides in breathing, and infections within the throat. Sometimes also reducing the potency of a human’s immune system.

It is because of the above-mentioned activities that take place and lead to the weakening of an individual’s immune system. This negative aspect leads to the failure of common bacteria-fighting mechanisms within the body and the development of frequent issues such as cold, chest congestion, throat soreness, dehydration, cough, and low resistance to cold.

The immune system can deteriorate to an extent that sleeping with your mouth open during winters can lead to a scratchy throat with rashes and cuts that cause great disturbance while breathing and eating.

Keep reading to figure out several reasons that can lead to a dry throat.

Causes Of Dry Throat

1. Mononucleosis

This is also known as mono or kissing disease and is caused due to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The easiest way to contract this virus is by sharing drinks, plates, or kisses with somebody who has already been diagnosed with Mononucleosis.

Expect to have a mild fever, rashes in the mouth and throat, experience dehydration and swollen glands in the throat. A dry and scratchy throat is the most commonly occurring symptom of this kind of STI. Transfer of bodily fluids such as sperms and saliva into another person’s mouth leads to the development of this condition.

2. Hay Fever

Although common, this is a specific allergic “Rhinitis” and can be contracted due to the millions of allergens that are hovering around openly in the atmosphere. When these allergy-causing particles are taken in, inflammation occurs in the nose and windpipe and leads to stuffy eyes, cough, cold, sneezing, and an itchy sensation inside your nose and back of the throat.

As you can see, all these symptoms in some way affect the respiratory system. This leads to a requirement of extra efforts while breathing which eventually leads to a dry and sore throat. This dry and sore throat develops a feeling of uneasiness and discomfort within the chest due to the extra work done by organs in that section.

3. Sleeping With An Open Mouth

This is a common reason that leads to poor throat conditions. The norm is that while sleeping an individual must breathe through their nose. In case a person is breathing through their mouth, the constant flow of air and moisture dampens the amounts of saliva and leads to a dry sensation. Not only can they expect a moist mouth but also the initiation of snoring activity that can cause substantial stress on the throat.

4. Smoking Cigarettes, Marijuana, And Consuming Excess Alcohol

These days, the majority of people are either drinking excess alcohol on a daily basis, consuming pot, or smoking back-to-back cigarettes. All these are bad habits and contribute to dehydration and throat soreness in multiple ways.

For example, while the body tries to break down the alcohol, a lot of water is used in this process. This leads to a shortage of water in the body and eventually dries up the throat, making it difficult to talk, eat, and even drink more.

The same goes for nicotine and pot, both these substances are known to instill thirst due to the drying up of saliva. You must drink at least 5-7 liters of water a day if you are a smoker of any kind of substance.

5. Acid Reflux

This phenomenon of acid reflux occurs under a condition known as GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). The digestive system that links the stomach to the esophagus, also known as the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) faces an influx of stomach acid and bile which is carried up to the throat. This leads to a sensation of burning, irritation, itchiness, dehydration, and a terribly bitter taste in the mouth.

The stomach acid when it reaches the throat soaks up the saliva on its route and leaves red-colored rashes that make you want to itch the inside of your throat.

The problem of acid reflux can be solved either by taking specific medicines like Aciphex or you can make some appropriate changes in your diet.

6. Obstructive Sleep Apnea

This is a common form of sleep apnea that leads to the restriction of airflow in the windpipe. It is due to the overgrowth of soft tissues in the throat that they clash with the walls of the throat while asleep.

Constantly attempting to let in and out a normal cycle of breath leads to excess work by the body and eventual dehydration in the throat. All the water is used up due to the forceful breathing attempts and the throat develops rashes and an itchy sensation, irrespective of age, gender, and time of the year.

Such sleeping issues can be fixed naturally.

7. Tonsillitis

A dry, sore, and itchy throat has often proved to arise because of tonsillitis. The tonsils are thick lumps at the back of the throat that advocate in fighting viruses, bacteria, and several infections.

But when a virus or bacteria proves to be too strong, inflammation of the tonsils takes place. Due to this inflammation, the tonsils become swollen with red patches and a person begins to make hoarse sounds when speaking. This along with the swelling of lymph nodes is a complete package that curbs the maintenance of water and saliva in the throat.

In fact, the saliva can not even stick on to the tonsils anymore as the inflammation creates a rugged surface which the saliva slides off. It is for this very reason that the throat feels, dry, sore, scratchy, and uncomfortable.

Wrapping Up

As mentioned earlier, these are only a few possible causes for your throat to experience a feeling of dryness and itchiness. If you consider factors such as cancer, gene-based infections, unhealthy sexual activity, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and undiscovered diseases then this list could be endless.

The best way to treat these problems is either by the consumption of antihistamine medicines, nasal decongestants, allergen immunotherapy, or even corticosteroid nasal sprays.

If you want to opt for natural forms of medication then look for extracting the anti-inflammatory properties of Ginger, the antioxidizing effects of Garlic, and the part of Onions that act as a source of quercetin.

In the event, you got over 101 degrees Celsius fever, make an immediate visit to the doctor and let the medical professional take up the task of treating you to full fitness from thereon.