What to Know About a Chronic Sore Throat

Most sore throats, especially those caused by an infection, tend to go away after 5-10 days. If you have a sore throat lasting two weeks or longer, this is considered a chronic sore throat.

Let’s take a look at a few conditions that can cause persistent throat pain, as well as when to see a healthcare provider.

What Does a Chronic Sore Throat Feel Like?

A common feature of chronic sore throat is painful swallowing. Other symptoms include:

• Throat pain
• A raw or scratchy throat
• Hotness or burning sensation in the throat
• Throat pain that radiates to the jaw

Depending on the cause, you may also experience additional symptoms not directly related to your throat. For example, if your sore throat is due to allergies, you may also experience nasal congestion and watery, itchy eyes.

Five Possible Causes of a Chronic Sore Throat

According to research, several of the most common underlying causes of a chronic sore throat include GERD, LPR, allergies, submandibular sialadenitis and chronic tonsillitis.

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a condition that causes stomach acid to regularly flow up into the esophagus. It can cause symptoms like heartburn, trouble swallowing, hoarseness and throat pain.
• Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Some people who experience acid reflux have stomach contents that reach the throat. This is called laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), and often, people with this condition don’t experience heartburn but do have a chronic sore throat.
• People who have allergies have an immune response when they come into contact with their allergy triggers, like pollen or dust mites. This immune response causes symptoms like nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes and postnasal drip, which can irritate the throat.
• Submandibular sialadenitis. This is an inflammation of the submandibular glands, which are located below the lower jaw. It can be caused by an infection, certain autoimmune diseases and salivary gland stones.
• Chronic tonsillitis. Chronic tonsillitis is a case where an infection can cause a persistent sore throat. This usually occurs if you have an infection that is resistant to antibiotics or a weakened immune system. It is different from recurrent tonsillitis, where you have multiple infections over a year. In addition to throat pain, symptoms can include enlarged tonsils and swollen, tender lymph nodes in the neck.

When To Seek Treatment

A chronic sore throat can make it hard to go to work or to enjoy activities like meeting friends for lunch at Tuscany Café. If you have a sore throat that lasts more than ten days, call a healthcare provider. Additionally, make an appointment if you experience severe pain, swelling in the neck or face, fever or other troublesome symptoms.

An ENT specialist can evaluate your symptoms, run any needed tests to determine the root cause and help you find the right treatment plan to eliminate your throat pain.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Pinnacle ENT today.