“The most common reasons for a sore throat in the morning are a dry environment, especially in winter, along with mouth breathing and acid reflux,” Dr. Benninger says. He says that dehydration, hay fever, or the beginning of a cold can also be culprits.
A sore throat in the a.m., especially if it happens regularly, might stem from irritation caused by dry air; in that case, running a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep, in addition to taking a steamy shower when you get up, should help. A hot cup of tea is also a good idea, says Bawer.
Excess mucus in the throat can lead to itching, irritation, and soreness. Postnasal drip typically increases when a person is lying down. As a result, a sore throat may worsen at night or first thing in the morning. Exposure to certain allergens at night may also worsen postnasal drip and sore throat.
Usually, the underlying cause is a virus, but there could be other causes, such as an allergy, environmental pollutants, smoking, acid reflux or infected and inflamed tonsils, according to Dr. Patton. In the winter, waking up with a scratchy throat simply can be the result of dryness in the air.
While viral infections are the most common cause, severe or persistent pain may be indicative of a more serious problem. If your throat pain lasts longer than 3 weeks or if you are concerned, visit your local doctor.”
If you have a persistent sore throat (one that lasts 3 to 4 weeks), you should see your GP who may refer you for further tests. This is because your sore throat may be a symptom of a more serious condition.
Most sore throats are caused by viruses or bacteria, which often come with other signs of infection, such as a fever. Even so, there are other causes of a sore throat that may not present with a fever, including allergies, acid reflux, colds, STIs, environmental pollutants, or even cancer.
Causes of a dry mouth at night
Allergies can make your throat dry. You may have a mild allergy you're unaware of. In bedrooms, dust is a common culprit, as are feathers from pillows or quilts. If you also have itchy eyes and throat, it could be worth asking your doctor about getting an allergy test to rule these out.
Typical factors that can cause a long-lasting sore throat include allergies, acid reflux, environmental irritants, dry air and strained vocal cords. Occasionally a more serious condition, such as a tumor or HIV, can cause a sore throat.
The most common cause of a sore throat worse in the morning is dehydration. While you sleep, your body isn't able to take in any fluids until you have a glass of water or a hot drink the following morning. This can result in a dry mouth and therefore a sore throat. A dry mouth can also be caused by mouth breathing.
In most cases, your sore throat will improve with at-home treatment. However, it's time to see your doctor if a severe sore throat and a fever over 101 degrees lasts longer than one to two days; you have difficulty sleeping because your throat is blocked by swollen tonsils or adenoids; or a red rash appears.
If you're having dry mouth problems, which are common in diabetics, but not exclusive to diabetics, you may notice that your mouth feels sticky. You might also have bad breath, whether you're aware of it or not. Mouth sores, cracked lips (especially at the corners) and dry throat may also occur.
Dry mouth is a common symptom of high blood sugar in people with diabetes. Sometimes dry mouth is the first noticeable symptom of diabetes. If you have dry mouth and think you could have diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider.
Sleep with Your Head Elevated
Aim for an elevation of 30 to 60 degrees. This should help to keep your mouth closed, making you breathe through your nose. Sleeping with your head elevated can also help to reduce snoring and improve sleep apnea.
Sore throat can be a symptom of strep throat, the common cold, allergies, or other upper respiratory tract illness. Sore throat caused by a virus or the bacteria called group A Streptococcus can have similar symptoms. Sometimes the following symptoms suggest a virus is causing the illness instead of Strep throat: Cough.
In most cases, a sore throat gets better in a day or two. Sometimes, it may linger for a while. The key is to know when this common symptom may require for a trip to the doctor, especially when it may be caused by a serious disease, including cancer.
Usually viral infections go away in 5-7 days without treatment. Antibiotics don't work for a viral infection. If you have pain or high fever, a mild pain reliever like acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help ease the symptoms. If the sore throat is severe and lasts for more than a week, let your doctor know.
Postnasal drip can cause an irritated sore throat. Your tonsils and other tissues in your throat may swell up, leading to discomfort. You may feel like there's a lump in the back of your throat.
Red and swollen tonsils, sometimes with white patches or streaks of pus. Tiny red spots on the area at the back of the roof of the mouth (soft or hard palate) Swollen, tender lymph nodes in your neck. Fever.
It's normal to occasionally have a dry mouth if you're dehydrated or feeling nervous, but a persistently dry mouth can be a sign of an underlying problem. You should see your dentist or GP if you have an unusually dry mouth (known as xerostomia) so they can try to determine the cause.