Constant Dry Throat
A constant dry throat may become annoying, especially when you’ve suffered from it for quite a while. A number of things can cause a constant dry throat. You may need to make several visits to your doctor to locate the exact cause.
A constant dry throat may become annoying, especially when you've suffered from it for quite a while. A number of things can cause a constant dry throat. You may need to make several visits to your doctor to locate the exact cause. You can also do certain things to relieve a constantly dry throat at home before scheduling an appointment with your doctor.
Features
You may suddenly notice that your throat is dry, but nothing you do relieves it. You may have other conditions that accompany a dry throat, such as a cough. You may feel the need to constantly clear your throat or drink extra fluids to help restore moisture.
Causes
Conditions such as sleep apnea, a chronic cough or laryngitis can all cause a dry throat. Irritants such as cigarette smoke, allergens and harsh chemical fumes can cause your throat to be dry, especially if you have constant exposure to these irritants. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can also cause your throat to be constantly dry, according to the journal "American Family Physicians." GERD is a condition that causes acid regurgitation and heartburn.
Prevention/Solution
Avoid harsh chemical fumes and cigarette smoke if they are the culprits of your dry throat. If you suffer from a chronic cough, your doctor can identify if you have a viral or bacterial respiratory infection and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Sleep apnea has several treatment options ranging from surgery to a simple mouthpiece that you wear while sleeping to help prevent waking up with a sore, dry throat.
Considerations
Sometimes it's not possible to avoid certain allergens that can cause your throat to dry out, such as pollen, mold and pet dander. Drink plenty of fluids and keep throat drops nearby, especially during spring and fall, when allergy counts for allergens such as mold and pollen tend to increase in the air that you breathe. You may want to take an antihistamine to block these allergens to prevent developing a dry throat for the remainder of the allergy season.
Warning
Conditions such as GERD can cause damage to your throat if left untreated, as it can burn soft tissue. The acid can also decay your teeth. Avoid clearing your throat as much as possible to avoid additional irritation and dryness. An undiagnosed chronic cough could be a serious condition such as emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. If you have chronic acid and heartburn or coughing that does not go away on its own or with the help of over-the-counter medications, schedule an appointment with your health care provider.