Do you sometimes suffer from that annoying, dry feeling in your throat, and do you constantly want to swallow or clear your throat? Then it is important to look for the precise causes of this symptom. A dry throat can be annoying when eating, drinking and sleeping. Too dry air in the bedroom, smoking too much, and suffering from allergies are all factors that can contribute to this phenomenon. Throat spray, saliva replacement mouth gel or placing a humidifier can relieve the symptoms of a dry throat. A dry throat is usually worst experienced in the morning, because the throat is not moistened with water at night. You may then wake up with a deep, almost unrecognizable voice and speaking may be difficult or painful. A mouth gel or throat spray against a dry throat can be effective against this condition. What can you do about a dry, hoarse throat, and what tips can be useful in treating this annoying phenomenon?
Hoarse, dry throat
Throat problems can occur in a wide variety of forms, ranging from mild to severe. A dry throat is a fairly harmless phenomenon, but it can still cause a lot of discomfort. Moreover, it can be a symptom of another problem, such as a smoking addiction or a throat infection. If you suffer from a dry throat, it can be difficult to eat and talk. But you may also experience difficulty breathing properly if your throat is plagued by a dry, hoarse feeling . Typically, a dry throat is worst experienced in the morning : you often have the feeling that your voice has become unrecognizably heavy and that speaking is difficult or painful.
Symptoms
With a dry throat, the mucous membranes of the pharynx are subject to irritation. Symptoms that may accompany a dry throat include a scratchy, pricking sensation in the throat . A dry throat can make you want to constantly clear your throat to get rid of that hoarse feeling. You may have a constant urge to swallow, cough or cough. These symptoms are typical throat problems that occur with dry air.
Causes of dry throat
Too little saliva
If you do not produce enough saliva, this can lead to a dry throat. If there is a lack of saliva, there is too little fluid in the oral cavity, which also affects the throat. Many smokers suffer from this because the smoke in the mouth has a drying effect. That’s why smokers often clear their throats.
Too dry air
If you suffer from a dry throat when you get up , you probably slept in a bedroom with too dry air. The heating has been set to too high a temperature, or the air conditioning has made the air too dry. This can leave you feeling like your throat is bone dry in the morning and that you urgently need water or coffee.
Talk a lot and loudly
Did you start supporting your favorite football team and did you shout and yell a lot while doing so? There is a good chance that you will come home with a dry throat. The same applies to anyone who has had to talk a lot and loudly, for example during a night out at the disco. A dry throat is also common in people who have to give a lecture or speech, where the throat can become even drier due to the tension and stress alone .
Colds and hay fever
The mucous membranes of the throat and oral cavity can become inflamed, for example due to a cold or flu. This can give you a dry, hoarse feeling, which may be accompanied by a sore throat. People with allergies such as hay fever can also suffer from a dry, irritated throat.
Alcohol
Some people who have drunk a lot of alcohol in the evening may suffer from a dry throat the next morning. In addition, one may have a hoarse, hoarse voice. This is because drinking large amounts of alcohol dehydrates the body. A warm drink such as coffee or tea can provide relief, but afterwards it is recommended to replenish the amount of fluid in the body by drinking mineral water.
Quit smoking
Smokers generally suffer from a dry throat more often than non-smokers. The most obvious tip for smokers is simply: quit smoking . As difficult as it is to quit a smoking addiction, it will quickly have a positive impact on the throat and oral cavity. Also in general, not smoking is better for your health and physical condition.
Treatment and tips for dry throat
Tea with lemon
Citrus fruits contain vitamin C and make saliva more fluid, which is a good way to combat a dry oral cavity. Squeezing a lemon into your tea can be very helpful for your throat, and you can also add a spoonful of honey. Drink a warm lemon drink or tea in moderation, because it has a dehydrating effect. So rinse thoroughly with a few glasses of mineral water.
Humidifier
Air that is too dry as a result of air conditioning or heating in the bedroom is absolutely to be avoided. Pay attention to the appropriate temperature in the bedroom: not too hot and not too cold. If necessary, install a humidifier or leave the bedroom window open for fresh air.
Throat lozenges
Mint-flavored throat lozenges can soothe the throat, making it feel less dry. In addition, the pastilles stimulate the production of saliva, which makes the oral cavity more moist. There are numerous soothing throat lozenges of varying “strength” on the market, depending on their effect on the throat.
Saliva replacement gel
Since a reduction in saliva can be the cause of a dry throat, remedies can be sought to eliminate this cause. A saliva substitute or mouth gel can provide relief here. Oral gels can be taken just before going to sleep, because saliva production is lowest during the night.
Some examples of saliva replacement mouth gels:
- Bioxtra Moisturizing Gel
- Biotene Oral Balance
Throat spray
Throat sprays have a moisturizing effect and are therefore very useful to treat a dry, hoarse or hoarse throat. A throat spray can work very quickly and efficiently and thus reduce or even completely eliminate the unpleasant symptoms associated with a dry throat.
Some examples of throat sprays:
- Bird Throat Spray
- Newmed Throat Spray
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