Throat swelling can be caused by infections, swollen glands, or allergens. Strep throat and tonsillitis are common causes, treated with antibiotics or tonsil removal. Allergic reactions can be life-threatening and require emergency care. Heat, salt water gargling, and warm beverages can provide temporary relief, but medical evaluation is necessary for persistent swelling.
Throat swelling is normally caused by some sort of infection that triggers an immune response. The incidence of strep throat, also known as strep throat, tends to be among the most common, along with tonsil infections known as tonsillitis. Both are normally treated with antibiotics and monitored for recurrence. Glands that are swollen in response to infection or inflammation elsewhere in the body can also impact the throat. Throat medications may bring temporary relief in these cases, although actual treatment usually begins with a diagnosis of the underlying problem. It’s also possible that the swelling is caused by allergens or environmental triggers, and often presents as hoarseness; in rarer and more serious cases, the swelling may be a response to a severe allergic reaction and can be life-threatening. This type of swelling usually occurs very quickly and typically occurs in many parts of the body at once.
Understanding bloating in general
Swelling anywhere in the body is typically an immune response triggered in an attempt to fight off bacteria or mitigate the effects of some sort of foreign substance. In the throat, swelling is usually localized to the glands surrounding the esophageal chamber. These glands are typically soft and somewhat porous, but when inflamed they can double or even triple in size. This can cause sensations of airway constriction, pain, and general discomfort. In most cases the treatment is pretty simple. Many different medications and home remedies can help reduce the irritation, if only temporarily, but knowing the cause is usually the key to an effective long-term solution.
Bacterial infections
Strep is one of the most common causes of swelling. It is a bacterial infection caused by the streptococcus bacteria. In addition to a swollen throat, individuals with strep throat typically also experience fever, pain or difficulty swallowing, and other cold and flu symptoms. They may also notice white or yellow patches on the throat or tonsils. Antibiotics are usually the best course of action in these cases.
Tonsil infections
Tonsillitis can also cause the throat to swell and typically develops when throat infections are persistent. The condition typically occurs when the tonsils become infected with bacteria. It can be treated with antibiotics, but it is not uncommon for an individual to have their tonsils removed, especially when infections appear to be persistent. Over time, antibiotics will lose their effectiveness when used to treat the same thing, requiring people to take stronger and stronger drugs to get the same results. In most cases, medical experts recommend removal for patients who experience five or more episodes of infected tonsils in a year.
Swollen glands
Sometimes, more generalized problems in the body can cause swelling of the throat if the glandular system is involved. Glands throughout the body act as a defense against bacteria and can become swollen in response to an infection elsewhere in the body. For example, scalp and ear infections can also cause the throat to swell due to their proximity and connection.
Allergens or environmental pollutants
Allergic reactions can also cause swelling. Specific foods or food additives are some of the most frequent triggers, but insect bites and stings, and even some medications can also be causes. For example, an allergic reaction to a bee sting or even penicillin could be a cause. When the reaction is severe—that is, when the swelling is so intense that it blocks the air passage and makes breathing difficult or impossible—a person may need an injection of adrenaline to reverse the swelling. Emergency medical care is also usually needed.
Not all allergic reactions are so serious. People in very dusty or dry climates often complain of throat swelling, particularly when conditions are new. Bloating can also accompany seasonal allergies or mild respiratory responses to things like dander or animal dander in people with specific histamine-related allergies.
Care and treatment
There are numerous things that people can do to relieve throat swelling. One natural remedy is to apply heat, heating a towel or heating pad and applying it to the neck three to four times a day. The heat should temporarily relieve some of the pain. Gargling with salt water and drinking warm beverages can also temporarily relive any associated pain.
Swelling that doesn’t go away on its own after a day or so can be a sign of a more serious condition, particularly if things seem to get worse, not better, with time. Getting a medical evaluation is usually a good idea in these cases. Your doctor and other trained health care professionals can examine your throat using a variety of instruments and tests to diagnose swelling and give you the appropriate treatment.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
