Sore Throat: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies

Sore throat is a fairly common problem that affects every age group. In childhood, it occurs more often. Then the causes are mainly infections with viruses, lessoften with bacteria.

However, behind this pain sometimes other problems are hidden.

Throat pain can be acute, i.e. it arises suddenly, lasts for a few days and then subsides. In other cases, it persists for a long time, i.e. as chronic pain.

Then it is possible that its origin will have a more serious basis.

The throat

The throat, as part of the respiratory and digestive system, is the place where the external environment comes into contact with the human body.

We breathe and take in food or liquids through the mouth.

Along with the skin, this part of the body is under constant pressure from the outside world. It is exposed to the risk of penetration of foreign pathogens into the body.

In short:

The throat divides into multiple sections. Partly it falls under the upper respiratory tract and partly under the oral cavity.

Thease parts are:

• pharynx which is further divided into
  • nasopharynx - pars nasalis pharyngis
  • oropharynx - pars oralis pharyngis
  • laryngopharynx - pars laryngea pharyngis
• larynx
  • epiglottis - borders the entrance to the larynx and lower respiratory tract
  • vocal cords
• lymphoid tissue
  • tonsils - tonsilla palatina
  • tonsilla lingualis - the lingual tonsils can be found inside the oral cavity at the root of the tongue

Sore throat and associated issues

Pain radiating to the ear or tongue may stem from a problem in the throat.

Overall, a sore throat makes swallowing worse. In this case, there is a risk for lack of appetite, refusal of liquids and food, which can lead to dehydration or malnutrition.

Other times, talking or even cervical spine mobility may present difficulties.

Symptoms include:

• a scratchy sensation
• a burning sensation
• irritation
• sensation of the throat drying up
• sensation of having a foreign body in the throat
• cough
• straining and gagging to vomit
• body temperature rises to fever
• sweating
• chills, shivering
• fatigue
• whole body pain
• hoarse voice
• difficulty breathing, risk in young children with laryngitis or epiglottitis
• nausea
• vomiting

On the other hand, in some cases, swallowing will alleviate it. We drink water more often to relieve the pain.

The main causes of issues

The pain in the throat may be of infectious or non-infectious origin. It occurs because of talking for a longer period of time, singing, shouting, dry air. We feel throat pain after swallowing a tiny bone, but also as an accompanying symptom of a serious illness.

Learn more: Effects of air conditioning on our health

Possible origins of pain:

1. injury - trauma
2. inflammation
3. tumour
4. other causes

Injury as a cause of throat pain

Among the mechanism of injury, one thinks mainly of a foreign body. Another form is, for example, a chemical burn.

A complication is perforation (piercing through) of the swallowing parts or respiratory tract and penetration of the contents into the chest cavity.

The differential diagnosis is based on anamnesis, i.e. history taking. The patient indicates the origin of the trouble, i.e. the swallowing of a foreign body or ingestion of a chemical substance (accidentally or intentionally). Subsequently, further diagnosis or treatment is chosen.

If it is a foreign body, the first thing to go is an X-ray examination. This serves to determine the momentary localization. And this is also with the help of a contrast agent (iodine or barium slurry).

A common foreign body in the neck is a pice of bone.

Endoscopy may be helpful at the next stage. If the foreign body is stuck in the deeper parts, the procedure is performed under general anaesthesia.

Respiratory and digestive tract poisoning is severe. Complications are mainly scarring and stenosis, i.e. narrowing of the burned parts.

In the acute phase, it is important to identify the type of chemical and dilute the concentrated substance.

Never induce vomiting.
The chemical will burn the mucous membrane again.

A wide spectrum antibiotics are used in the treatment. The reason for this is the prevention of infection of the damaged mucosa with microorganisms. For pain relief analgesics, that is, drugs for pain relief.

Inflammation as a cause of throat pain

Inflammatory diseases are among the most common causes of this pain. In the overwhelming majority it is a viral inflammation. Bacterial inflammation occurs as a secondary infection, or superinfection.

Primary, primary bacterial infection is less common.

Adults succumb to the common cold, cold or flu 2-4 times a year. 
In children it is at a higher rate, namely 6 - 10 times.
Most cases are pharyngitis (inflammation of the pharynx) or tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils).
Learn more: Cold, hay fever or flu?

In children, the inflamed parts are affected to a greater extent: 

• inflammation of the back of the throat - pharyngitis
• inflammation of the tonsils - tonsillitis
  • commonest form: inflammation of the palatine tonsils - tonsilla palatina
• tonsillopharyngitis - the inflammation includes both the tonsils and other parts of the throat

The infection may have a viral or bacterial agent.

Mycotic infections also occur when the body is weakened, as is the case after treatment with antibiotics or in immune disorders. The yeast Candida Albicans is often behind the problem. 

Viruses:

• flu viruses
• paramyxoviruses
• coronaviruses
• picornaviruses
• adenoviruses
• Respiratory syncytial viruses 
• rhinoviruses
• Coxsackie and echoviruses
• Morbillivirus
• herpes viruses
  • EBV, or Epstein–Barr virus, the cause of infectious mononucleosis
  • CMV - cytomegalovirus - infectious mononucleosis syndrome - resembles mononucleosis

Bacteria:

• Streptococcus pyogenes
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Haemophillus influenzae
• Neisseria gonorrhoeae
• Arcanobacterium haemolyticum

Table: the most common inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract

Sore throat in children

Especially in young children, the anatomical proportions are different than in adulthood. The space in the airways is smaller. Any narrowing in this area can lead to difficulty breathing. This condition threatens the health and life of the child.

In childhood, it is important to recognize laryngitis from epiglottitis. The main differences are presented in the infographic.

Learn more: 
Laryngitis - inflammation of the larynx (voice box)
Epiglottitis - Inflammation of the epiglottis

Tumourous disease

The non-infectious origin of a sore throat can also point to an oncological process. A tumour can occur in several areas of the throat, such as part of the oropharynx, hypopharynx or at the entrance to the larynx.

The initial stage may not be manifested by a sore throat.

Symptoms include:

• difficulty swallowing
• feeling of a foreign body in the throat
• when swallowing, the bite gets stuck in the throat
• painful swallowing
• pain in the neck is associated with the overgrowth of the tumour into the surrounding structures, especially bone
• sore throat even without temperature
• Bad breath, also called halitosis, fetor oris, oral malodour, putrid breath
• coughing up bloody sputum - mucus, blood
• prolonged discomfort

Throat pain can originate elsewhere

In some cases, pain radiates to the area from another location.

Behind the transferred pain may be a disease of the stomach or the esophagus. A good example in this case is gastroesophageal reflux (acid reflux). It is manifested by heartburn. It is commonly abbreviated as GERD - or GastroEsophageal Reflux Disease.

The cause is chemical irritation of the throat area by gastric - digestive juices. More information about this disease is presented in a separate article on heartburn.

Transmitted pain can also come from the cervical spine. Problems with the cervical spine are mainly indicated by pain radiating to the head, shoulders or recurrent dizziness.

Learn more: 3 symptoms of cervical spine pain

Another eventuality is a separate group of cardiovascular diseases.

The main representative is a painful form of ischemic heart disease, which proceeds chronically. Conversely, the acute form includes, for example, unstable angina pectoris or heart muscle infarction.

More articles: 
Ischaemic heart disease 
Angina pectoris
Myocardial infarction

Other symptoms of throat pain:

• talking too loudly
• speaking of extended periods of time
• shouting, sceaming, yelling
• irritation from smoke or dust
• allergies as well as seasonal hay fever
• inflammation of the thyroid gland - thyroiditis
• processus styloideus elongatus (Eagle syndrome) - ossification (bone formation) of the stylohyoid ligament
• Carotidynia - unilateral (one-sided) tenderness of the carotid artery - unknown cause
• autoimmune - pemphigus, Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• neuralgic pain - n. glossopharyngeus - glossopharyngeal nerve - intense, excruciating pain shooting into the throat, worsens on swallowing
• psychogenic pain - globus hystericus and globus nervosus - neuropathic problems
• radiation mucositis - mucosal damage after radiotherapy (head and neck irradiation)
• tuberculosis of the pharynx and laryngeal inlet
• sore throat after anaesthesia and intubation

With the persistence of sore throat and the appearance of associated difficulties, a professional examination is necessary. It does not always have to be an inflamed throat.

Throat pain during pregnancy and after childbirth

In the same way, also in this period, this symptom can be associated. Of course, all the more important is a professional examination.

Home treatment may not be appropriate. It is necessary to consult a pharmacist about the choice of appropriate medication during this period.

Not all medications are indicated during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Antibiotics do not work on viral diseases.

During pregnancy, keeping the body temperature below 38 °C is important for fetal protection. Appropriate medication or a wrap or shower should then be chosen.

Lern more: Flu during pregnancy

Throat pain and home remedies

Home remedies should be mainly supportive.

In the case of viral origin, treatment is symptomatic (we treat the symptoms). Antibiotics do not work. Grandmotherly advice seems to be of more importance.

What to do for a sore throat in children, but the doctor decides.

If we have a bacterial disease, we need effective antibiotics. In this case, purely home treatment is ineffective. It can be used as a support and relief for difficulties.

Any neglect of professional examination or treatment can have a negative impact. Even, it can prolong the treatment period.

Prevention is important. In the seasonal period, it is advisable to increase vitamin intake, take probiotics or undergo vaccinations.

In autumn and winter, our bodies cannot make vitamin D from sunlight. It needs to be replenished in other ways. It is also advisable to increase the intake of vitamin C. The diet should contain plenty of vegetables and fruit or fibre.

Learn more: Home remedies to treat pharyngitis (throat inflammation).