A dry throat can be caused by living in a dry environment, exposure to cold air, diuretic substances, irritation from breathing through the mouth, or an underlying disease. Drinking fluids, using a humidifier, and visiting a doctor for persistent dryness with other symptoms may help.
Dry throat is a common medical complaint, but it’s not always the result of an illness. Sometimes a dry throat may just be a reflection of living in a very dry environment or it occurs as a result of exposure to cold air. Both situations can leave your throat parched. This condition may be more noticeable during the winter months when the use of indoor heaters increases the amount of dry air in the home.
Everything eaten must pass through the throat, and therefore determining the cause may include examining what an individual eats or drinks. Diuretic substances are often associated with dry throat. Diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol increase urination, making the body lose more water and sometimes making the throat dry. A number of medications can also cause dry throat.
A frequent cause of dry throat is irritation. Breathing through your mouth instead of your nose when sleeping or simply sleeping with your mouth open can expose your throat to dry air. This dry air irritates the throat membranes and can dehydrate them. Tobacco smoke, dust, and other pollutants in the air can also cause irritation, leading to a dry or scratchy throat. Typically, people who suffer from dry throat due to irritation will notice that the problem gets worse in the morning.
In some situations, however, a dry throat associated with irritation may indicate an underlying disease. For example, individuals suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, a type of sleep disorder in which a physical obstruction blocks the airways, may notice a dry, raw throat upon waking up. With this condition, a number of other symptoms are usually identifiable, including loud snoring, short pauses in breathing, and feeling tired during the day. Also, the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy can sometimes lead to a dry throat. CPAP machines force air into the airways to prevent pauses in breathing, and for some individuals, the forced air can be drying.
Usually, a dry throat is more likely to be a symptom of illness when it occurs alongside other symptoms. For example, individuals with hay fever or allergies may notice a variety of symptoms in addition to dry throat, including sneezing, runny nose, and runny nose. Laryngitis, a disorder involving inflammation of the vocal cords, can also involve a dry throat. Additional symptoms that may occur with the condition may include a dry cough, hoarseness, and pain when swallowing.
Regardless of the cause, some treatment methods can have universal appeal. For home treatment of dry throat, increasing the amount of fluids consumed can help stop the irritation. Sipping water throughout the day can help with hydration, while honey-infused herbal teas can provide relief. Keeping your mouth busy sucking on cough drops or chewing gum promotes saliva production so your throat stays moist. Using a humidifier at night can also help keep moisture in the air and prevent the dryness that occurs while you sleep.
The ability to determine if your dry throat is caused by a disease may not always be possible. For persistent dryness, which occurs with other troubling symptoms such as a high fever, or when an underlying cause is not known, a visit to a doctor may be necessary. In some cases, such as suspected sleep apnea, a visit to an otolaryngologist may be necessary. These ear nose and throat doctors usually have the expertise needed to understand the causes of a dry throat and find the appropriate treatment option.
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