It is one of the most commonly asked questions. If you face issues while eating or drinking, you are not alone. Many people are in the same boat as you. For example, painful swallowing is a common condition. You may experience piercing pain in your throat while eating and drinking, making you wonder, “Why does my throat pain when I swallow?”. The pain may be followed by a burning sensation, soreness, or a feeling of a lump in the throat. These symptoms can make swallowing difficult for you.
Painful swallowing is often benign and can be treated with OTC medications and home remedies. But if the swelling persists or your condition worsens, you must visit a throat specialist.
Why does my throat hurt when I swallow?
Some causes of a painful throat include:
Viral or sinus infection
Viruses can harm your throat and cause painful swallowing. In addition, sinus infection also does the same. The pain in the throat may result from inflamed tonsils, coughing, or irritation from sinus drip. Viral and sinus infections are accompanied by other symptoms like runny nose, headache, cough, or fever. However, you will get relief by taking OTC medications and rest.
Throat injury
Why does it hurt in my throat when I swallow?
It could be because you might have hurt the insides of your mouth. If you have swallowed large chunks of your food, you may injure your throat. Moreover, consuming too hot or too cold foods can damage your oesophagus. Burns and sore throat muscles can cause slight pain when swallowing.
Throat infection
Bacterial infections like strep and tonsillitis can cause pain while swallowing your foods and drinks. These infections directly target the throat but do not cause flu or cold-like symptoms. In addition to a painful throat, you may experience other symptoms like fever, swollen lymph nodes, or gastrointestinal symptoms. You can treat throat infections by taking OTC medications and antibiotics.
Why does my throat hurt when I swallow?
Consult your doctor to check for throat infections.
Allergic reaction
If an allergen causes sinus drip, you may face difficulties swallowing your food. However, severe allergies, especially foods, can cause an extreme allergic condition. It is called anaphylaxis and causes swelling in the throat. Moreover, the throat may close, and you face challenges while swallowing and breathing. It is a severe condition requiring immediate medical attention.
Oral thrush
Thrush is a yeast infection affecting your mouth and may spread to the tonsils and throat. The irritation and burning from the thrush may cause difficulty while swallowing. Why does my throat hurt when I swallow? It could be an oral thrush. Other symptoms of this condition include white lesions, minor scrapes, and bleeding. If you want to treat oral thrush, you can try antifungal medications. You may contact a specialist to know more.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
If you have GERD, you are not new to the burning or painful sensation in your throat. When the stomach acids travel back to the mouth, you may face trouble swallowing. The acid damages your oesophageal lining. Moreover, you may experience an acidic taste, heartburn, and hoarseness. You can fight this condition through diet changes and home remedies.
Why does my throat pain when I swallow?
You may be having GERD, which causes pain when consuming your food.
Cancer
Why does my throat pain when I swallow?
If you have cancelled out all other causes, you may need a specialist. Painful swallowing may be because of the throat or oesophageal cancer. In addition, you may observe blood in the saliva or lumps in the neck.
Visit a throat specialist to know the reasons. Alternatively, you may visit Ujala Cygnus Central Hospital to understand why does it hurt in my throat when I swallow?
