Burning in the throat
introduction
A burning sensation in the throat can be triggered by a variety of factors.
The consumption of hot and acidic foods, infections and other diseases can play a role here. In many cases it is a harmless and easily treatable cause, but in other cases it can also be caused by a serious illness.
causes
heartburn
A very common cause of a sore throat can be classic heartburn.
This is a condition in which stomach acid flows back into the esophagus for a variety of reasons. This problem is also known under the term reflux disease. The acidic belching of stomach contents creates a burning sensation in the throat. The complaints occur very often after difficult to digest food and also acidic meals and foods. What exactly leads to these symptoms can vary greatly among those affected. The symptoms are aggravated when the patient lies down after eating. In this position, the stomach acid can get back into the esophagus more easily and leads to the burning pain. Stress, restlessness and psychological stress can also trigger or worsen the disease.
The so-called reflux of the stomach contents can have various causes. Often an overproduction of gastric acid and a weakness of the sphincter muscle (Sphincter) between the esophageal outlet and the gastric inlet plays an important role. If this muscle no longer properly seals the stomach entrance, reflux can occur. Furthermore, an unbalanced diet, i.e. foods that are too high in fat and too large quantities, as well as the frequent consumption of alcohol and cigarettes can be responsible for heartburn. The use of certain medications, such as various painkillers, can also be a trigger. Obesity and pregnancy make heartburn more likely.
Diseases of the stomach itself, such as an irritable stomach, inflammation of the gastric mucous membrane, a stomach ulcer or various food intolerances can also cause the symptoms mentioned.
If heartburn occurs sporadically and rarely, it does not matter and does not necessarily require treatment. In contrast, regular and persistent acid regurgitation carries some risks. The mucous membrane of the esophagus is constantly irritated by the aggressive stomach acid. As a result, it can cause severe esophageal inflammation. This is known as esophagitis.Due to the recurring inflammation, the mucous membrane changes and scars form. From these scars, the individual cells can later change in such a way that they form precursors of cancer cells. There is therefore an increased risk that cancer will develop from these cell changes. Therefore, timely treatment with medication that suppresses the production of gastric acid but also the inflammation is necessary.
Read more on the topic: What to do with heartburn
Burning sensation in the throat from thyroid disease
The function of the thyroid gland can be impaired by acute or chronic inflammation.
Acute inflammation of the thyroid gland is known in medical terminology as thyroiditis. In many cases it is caused by a bacterial infection. Symptoms of inflammation of the thyroid gland are different. A swelling of the thyroid gland is typical, as a result of which the neck can be visibly thickened from the outside. Since the gland lies in front of the windpipe and close to the esophagus, severe swelling can also cause shortness of breath and difficulty swallowing, as well as a temporary burning sensation in the throat if the thyroid tissue is severely attacked by the inflammation.
Chronic thyroiditis is often caused by an autoimmune disease known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The body's own immune system attacks the tissue of the thyroid gland for unknown reasons and damages it. The inflammation can be diagnosed through a physical exam, an ultrasound, and a tissue exam. The tissue is displayed in color with a thyroid colonitigraphy and its function can be checked. In the case of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, antibodies that are directed against the tissue, so-called autoantibodies, can be detected in the blood.
Treatment for inflammation of the thyroid gland depends on the cause. Some inflammations are typically associated with a loss of hormone production by the thyroid gland, in which case the hormones must be replaced with medication because they are important for the metabolism and affect many functions in the body. The thyroid gland can also be removed by surgery. Even then, the hormones must be supplied to the body through long-term drug intake.
Read more on the topic: Inflammation of the thyroid gland
Burning throat from allergy
Allergic reactions to certain foods are also expressed by burning or itching in the throat.
The burning sensation is usually accompanied by swellings in the mouth and roof of the mouth and a furry feeling on the tongue. Food allergies can in principle be triggered by any food, but common allergens are above all nuts, fish, seafood and stone fruits. If you are unsure whether the burning sensation in your throat is caused by an allergy or a sign of a cold, an ENT specialist can examine the mucous membranes and clarify the cause. An allergy test can determine the cause and those affected should then avoid the allergy-causing foods.
Read more on the subject at: Food allergy
Causes depending on the time of occurrence
Burning in the throat after eating
Many people are familiar with an unpleasant burning sensation in the throat, particularly in connection with eating.
Ingesting particularly hot food can irritate both the lining of the mouth and the lining of the esophagus. There may be very small burns and redness, causing a burning sensation in the throat, a burning sensation in the mouth and along the esophagus. With each further consumption of food, the previously injured areas of the mucous membrane can be irritated again and the patient still feels a burning sensation in the throat for a few days afterwards. Such minor injuries heal on their own and do not require treatment.
The mucous membrane can react in a similar way to foods that contain a lot of acid. This includes, for example, the frequent consumption of fruits, tomatoes and other products. The acid in the food attacks the mucous membrane and can lead to smaller lesions in the mouth and esophagus as well. Affected patients should then try out which foods they tolerate well and, in order to avoid further discomfort, can for a while avoid foods that contain a lot of acid. Then the mucous membrane can recover.
After eating, the contents of the stomach can also cause a burning sensation in the throat. The so-called heartburn is a belching of the stomach contents. The stomach produces gastric acid for digestion, which mixes with the stomach contents after eating. If the stomach contents are pushed open, stomach acid also gets into the esophagus. With frequent belching, the mucous membrane at the junction of the esophagus and stomach becomes irritated and there is an unpleasant burning sensation in the throat and chest after eating.
You can find out more about this here: heartburn
Burning throat after exercise
Many people complain of a sore throat after exercising in the great outdoors. The burning sensation occurs mainly in cold air.
Because of the increased breathing and the cold air, the windpipe and lungs burn with every breath. The cold air causes the blood vessels and the mucous membrane of the bronchi to contract more and those affected feel a burning pain in the throat. In such a case, it helps to take less deep breaths, so that the burning sensation quickly subsides and disappears. A scarf or cloth in front of the airways when exercising during the cold season can also help.
Burning in the throat after vomiting
When vomiting, the entire contents of the stomach including gastric juice are emptied through the esophagus. The gastric juice contains gastric acid, which is a highly corrosive liquid that is used to digest food components.
To protect against the aggressive liquid, the stomach is provided with a special layer of mucus, which is missing in the esophagus. If stomach acid gets into the esophagus and throat when vomiting, the mucous membrane in these areas is injured, which manifests itself as a burning sensation in the throat. Very strong vomiting or regularly recurring vomiting (for example with bulimia) can permanently damage the mucous membranes and lead to complications. In such a case, a doctor should be consulted so that appropriate treatment can be initiated.
Burning in the throat when breathing
When you breathe, the air flows through the windpipe into your lungs. A burning sensation in the throat, which occurs only when you breathe, can be caused by an injury to the windpipe.
As the air flows past when you inhale and exhale, the affected area is irritated and your throat burns. The injury can be mechanical, for example due to swallowed objects, or inflammatory, as in the case of tonsillitis.
Burning throat when drinking
The burning sensation in the throat can be a symptom of heartburn (Reflux) be. This is when stomach acid travels from the stomach into the esophagus, causing pain behind the breastbone and a burning sensation in the throat. Certain drinks can make the symptoms worse.
The consumption of coffee and alcoholic beverages in particular increases reflux and irritates the esophageal lining. But fizzy drinks also aggravate the burning sensation in the throat, which is why you should avoid carbonic acid in drinks as far as possible in the case of heartburn.
Burning throat during pregnancy
During pregnancy, a pregnant woman's body goes through very powerful changes. With the constant growth of the unborn child, the storage conditions of the mother's organs in the abdomen change particularly extremely. Since the child takes up more and more space in the mother's abdominal cavity during the course of pregnancy, the organs such as the liver and stomach are moved further towards the head, i.e. upwards. As the waist circumference increases, the pregnant woman feels these changes more and more clearly. Often this change is also associated with some typical problems during pregnancy.
Due to the upward movement of the stomach, the expectant mother very often gets heartburn after eating. The growing child presses on the stomach and in addition the path from mouth to stomach is shortened and dammed up. This encourages the stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus and, in advanced pregnancy, often leads to acid belching and a burning sensation in the throat.
These complaints are quite normal in pregnancy and often have no further disease value. The symptoms can be treated very well with drugs that reduce gastric acid production and are gentle on the stomach. When the child is born, the symptoms also subside quickly in most cases.
You might also be interested in the following topic: Heartburn during pregnancy
Burning in the throat and mouth
Various diseases in the mouth lead to unpleasant burning pains there.
Common illnesses include infections with the herpes simplex virus and inflammation that can be triggered by bacteria such as staphylococci or streptococci. The diseases can express themselves with different appearances. This can cause painful blisters, canker sores and open lesions. It is not uncommon for inflammation that originates from teeth to be transferred to the mucous membrane and then spread to the oral cavity.
The infections are usually accompanied by pain, reddened oral mucosa and swelling. The ingestion of food can also cause pain for the patient, which is why hot and acidic food should be avoided in the acute phase of the inflammation, as this also irritates open lesions in the mouth.
In rare cases, an infection from certain bacteria is particularly severe and can even spread into the esophagus.
In addition to plaque and burning, there can also be difficulty swallowing. If the inflammation is very advanced, the patient generally feels weak and sick, and the appetite is also significantly reduced. Beginning pain in the mouth and throat area can also be the first sign of an initial inflammation of the tonsils. In this case, it is called tonsillitis, which is accompanied by pain when swallowing and swelling of the tonsils. This often affects children. Depending on whether the disease was caused by bacteria or viruses, the inflammation is treated with antibiotics or not. The inflammation of the tonsils may come back more often, so they are removed after multiple infections.
Read more on this topic:
- Burning in the mouth
- Symptoms of tonsillitis
Burning in the throat and throat
A burning sensation in the throat and throat may be signs of a sore throat (Pharyngitis) be.
The burning sensation is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as a dry throat, difficulty swallowing, and pain. The roof of the mouth and throat are very red and patients may have a fever. Pharyngitis is one of the most common upper respiratory diseases and is particularly common in children. The cause of the inflammation is an infection of the pharynx with viruses, e.g. the influenza virus or adenovirus.
In patients who suffer from a weakened immune system, the inflammation in the throat can also be triggered by colonization with other pathogens, such as bacteria or fungi. Treatment for viral pharyngitis is symptomatic, which means that the doctor will prescribe medication that will lower the fever and relieve pain. In the case of bacterial pharyngitis, treatment with antibiotics must be carried out, otherwise serious complications (e.g. rheumatic fever) can occur.
A detailed description of the symptoms of a sore throat can be found here: Symptoms of a sore throat
Burning tongue
Burning tongue can be triggered by a number of different causes.
Inflammation, irritation from food and allergic reactions caused by certain foods are possible. It is not uncommon for a burning sensation on the tongue to result from frequent belching of stomach acid. This condition is called gastroesophageal reflux disease. Vitamin B and iron deficiencies, as well as diabetes mellitus, can also be responsible for the symptoms. This is associated with common lesions and inflammation that can also directly affect the tongue. Direct inflammation of the tongue is known as glossitis.
Another cause can be Sjogren's syndrome. This is a disease that is directed against the body's own defense system. In this autoimmune disease, the tissue of the lacrimal and salivary glands is attacked. As a result, the production of saliva is reduced, which leads to a general dry mouth. This also leads to symptoms such as burning tongue.
Medicines that are taken by mouth or radiation or chemotherapy can also trigger these symptoms. The consumption of tobacco or smoking can also damage the tongue. This leads to more frequent inflammations that burn and are also painful. It is not uncommon for cancer to develop as a result.
Read more on the topic:
- Causes of tongue pain
- Burning tongue
Concomitant symptoms
The burning sensation in the throat usually occurs together with other symptoms.
Which accompanying symptoms develop in a sore throat mainly depends on the cause. With heartburn, accompanying symptoms include a dry cough and aching pain behind the sternum. Furthermore, those affected complain of stomach pain and frequent, acidic belching of stomach contents. In the case of prolonged burning in the throat and suspicion of heartburn, a doctor should be consulted, as the constant irritation of the esophageal mucous membrane can otherwise lead to serious complications and in the worst case to esophageal cancer.
If the upper respiratory tract is infected, the mucous membrane in the throat is inflamed by pathogens (viruses or bacteria) and the typical symptoms of a cold occur. These include fever, fatigue and a general feeling of illness. Due to the immune reaction, the lymph nodes on the neck are enlarged and palpable. In addition, other symptoms such as hoarseness, runny nose and blocked sinuses can occur.
You might also be interested in this topic: Heartburn symptoms
Difficulty swallowing with a burning sensation in the throat
Inflammation in the neck area is very often associated with swelling and pain.
In this case, it is particularly difficult to eat and drink. The tonsils and tonsils may swell due to the infection. The burning and scratchy throat makes it harder for patients to swallow and they have to clear their throat more often. Since swelling in the throat prevents food from slipping through, there is an increased risk that patients will choke. Difficulty swallowing and burning in the throat can also be caused by acute inflammation of the larynx. This inflammation is known as laryngitis and is often caused by viruses. In addition to swelling of the larynx, hoarseness, coughing and, in the worst case, shortness of breath occur as the swelling can also affect breathing.
Also read: Home remedies for swallowing difficulties
Chest pain with a burning sensation in the throat
The burning sensation in the throat causes unpleasant discomfort, which can be traced back to various causes.
Despite the many possible triggers, patients often show similar symptoms. They describe a burning sensation in the throat, which usually occurs after eating or already starts while eating. The acidic belching of the stomach contents is often accompanied by pain in the chest area and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Heartburn can be particularly typical for a sore throat. In this reflux disease, stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. The hydrochloric acid attacks the mucous membrane and causes pain. Since the esophagus continues through the chest as a thin tube up to the stomach, these pains radiate further, so that the complaints are perceived in the entire chest area. If the symptoms persist, a cause should be clarified.
Also read our topic: Burning sensation in the esophagus
What to do if there is a burning sensation in the throat
A burning sensation in the throat can have several causes.Therefore, treatment is always based on the cause.
Patients with a burning sensation in the throat due to a flu-like infection or an inflammation of the tonsils or tonsils can first see their doctor. In the case of tonsillitis, treatment with an antibiotic is often recommended, which is intended to combat the actual cause, the pathogen.
To relieve the burning sensation and pain in the throat, patients can drink lots of tea and get pain reliever and numbing lozenges from the pharmacy. The throat should not dry out because this irritates the mucous membrane additionally.
More frequent symptoms after eating can be heartburn. In the case of heartburn, which is also more common in pregnant women, people are usually prescribed drugs that reduce the production of stomach acid. This is intended to reduce the irritation of the esophagus from the gastric acid that is pushed up.
These measures can also support patients by changing their diet. Avoiding fruit acid and generally heavy and acidic foods can be helpful. So the stomach has a chance to recover and healthy gastric acid production usually levels off by itself. Furthermore, several small meals should be taken and the consumption of coffee, alcohol and nicotion should be avoided.
However, if the symptoms persist, the patient can see a gastrointestinal specialist. In some cases, a gastroscopy can be done. The doctor can view the stomach, in particular the gastric mucosa, from the inside using a tube and a camera. In this way, inflammation or chronic diseases can either be revealed or excluded as the cause of the symptoms.
In general, if the symptoms persist for a long time, a doctor should be consulted, in most cases this is the family doctor first. They can then refer the patient to other specialists for further examinations if certain diseases are suspected that may be causing the burning sensation in the throat.
Also read our topic: A gastroscopy procedure
These home remedies can help
There are a number of home remedies that can help with a sore throat.
In general, it is good to drink a lot so that the mucous membranes in the throat do not dry out and the symptoms worsen. It is best for patients to drink about two liters a day. Herbal tea, e.g. Chamomile, or peppermint, soothes irritated mucous membranes and can relieve the burning sensation in the throat. Ginger tea with lemon also helps against the burning sensation in the throat due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
If there is inflammation, the throat should be kept warm. It is best for those affected to wear a scarf or put a warm cherry stone pillow on their chest. Warm wraps with hot tea or warm potatoes around the neck are also popular home remedies. The burning sensation in the throat can also be caused by too dry heating air, especially in the cold season. Humidifiers help to keep the humidity high and thereby improve the symptoms.
Gargling with lukewarm water or a salt water solution is a home remedy that can be used for a sore throat. The salt water solution can easily be prepared by yourself. To do this, dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of water and gargle with it. Inhaling with hot water or herbal tea moisten the mucous membrane in the throat. Sage or chamomile tea is best used and inhaled under a cloth for 15 minutes.
You may also be interested in this topic: Gargle with salt water- how to do it right!
With which diagnostics can the cause be found out?
The doctor can determine the causes of a burning sensation in the throat using various diagnostics.
In principle, the patient's medical history is extensively recorded before the start of the examination. This is followed by a close inspection of the oral cavity and the pharynx. The doctor also has the option of taking a blood sample and having it examined for various parameters. Depending on the suspected causes, special examinations can be carried out.
- Allergy to food or pollen: Here the doctor conducts a so-called prick allergy test. This is a skin test in which various liquids containing possible allergens are dripped onto small scratches on the skin and the reaction is observed. The doctor can also take a blood sample and check it for certain substances that could indicate an allergy.
- Upper respiratory infection: The doctor examines the lining of the mouth and throat with a light source and a wooden spatula. In the case of a sore throat, the mucous membrane is very red and the tongue is white-yellowish. In addition, the lymph nodes on the neck and neck are significantly enlarged in a sore throat and can be felt by the doctor during a physical examination from the outside. If the doctor suspects an infection with bacteria behind the symptoms, he can take a swab of the pharynx and have it examined by laboratory diagnostics. If the test result is positive, the patient is prescribed antibiotics. Viral infections, on the other hand, can only be treated symptomatically.
- Heartburn: The doctor may be able to do a mirror image of the esophagus here. This examination is usually carried out in combination with a gastroscopy (Gastroscopy). An endoscope is inserted into the esophagus through the mouth and the condition of the esophageal lining is examined. The doctor can see any changes in the lining, inflammation, and diagnose reflux disease.
Duration
How long the burning sensation in the throat lasts depends on the cause of the discomfort.
Heartburn is often the cause of the symptoms, with the burning sensation mainly occurring after eating. The duration of heartburn can be very different and depends individually on the patient, their age and habits (smoking, stress, diet). An acute sore throat (Pharyngitis) is caused by viruses or bacteria and heals within a few days with the help of anti-inflammatory or antibiotic drugs. With chronic pharyngitis, it can take several weeks for the burning sensation in the throat to go away.
If the burning sensation in the throat is caused by an injury or burn, it takes several days for the mucous membrane to regenerate and the pain to go away.
