Painful Swallowing: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

If you're experiencing painful swallowing, it's crucial to seek medical advice promptly to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment. Simple remedies like staying hydrated, eating soft foods, and avoiding irritants can help alleviate discomfort.

However, persistent or severe symptoms require professional evaluation to prevent complications. Don't ignore painful swallowing; consult a healthcare provider for personalized care and relief.

Common Causes of Painful Swallowing

The most common causes of painful swallowing include the following:

• Infections: Colds, flu, strep throat, mononucleosis, or thrush.
• Acid reflux: Irritation from stomach acid (GERD or LPR).
• Tonsillitis: Swollen or infected tonsils.
• Chronic cough: Irritation from persistent coughing.
• Injury or irritation: From sharp foods, hot liquids, or chemicals.
• Esophageal issues: Esophagitis, ulcers, or muscle disorders.
• Serious conditions: Tumors or throat/esophagus pain cancer.

Conditions That Cause Painful Swallowing:

• Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus, often due to acid reflux, infections, or medications.
• Strep throat: A bacterial throat infection that can make swallowing very painful.
• Tonsillitis: Swollen or infected tonsils can cause throat pain and difficulty swallowing.
• Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the pharynx from viral or bacterial infections.
• Oral thrush (Candidiasis): A fungal infection in the mouth and throat causing soreness and swallowing difficulty.
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection: Can cause painful sores in the mouth and esophagus.
• Epiglottitis: A rare but serious condition causing inflammation of the epiglottis, making swallowing painful and dangerous.
• Esophageal ulcers: Sores in the lining of the esophagus causing sharp pain while swallowing.
• Esophageal cancer: A serious condition that can cause progressive pain while swallowing, especially solids.
• Foreign body in throat or esophagus: Can irritate or injure the lining and cause sharp pain.
• Radiation-induced esophagitis: Seen in patients undergoing cancer treatment involving the chest or neck.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the esophagus, leading to inflammation and pain during swallowing.
• Cervical spine disorders: Conditions like cervical spondylosis can sometimes cause referred pain during swallowing.

What are the Symptoms of Painful Swallowing?

• Sore Throat: Experience discomfort or pain in your throat.
• Difficulty Swallowing: Feel like something is stuck in your throat or experience pain when swallowing.
• Hoarseness: Notice changes in your voice, such as raspiness or weakness.
• Ear Pain: Feel pain or discomfort in one or both ears pain when swallowing.
• Fever: Sometimes accompanied by fever, especially if caused by an infection.
• Swollen Glands: Notice swelling or tenderness in your neck or jaw area.

When to Visit a Doctor?

You should always see a doctor if you have life-threatening symptoms such as:

• Difficulty in breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dizziness
• High fever occurs when a child or adult has a temperature over 38° C (100.4° F)

See a doctor for less severe symptoms if they don't go away within the expected time or if they get worse. Ignoring the symptoms can lead to bigger health problems, so don't delay the diagnosis.

A doctor will:

• Discuss your symptoms
• Perform a physical exam
• Order any tests necessary to diagnose the condition

How is Painful Swallowing Diagnosed?

To diagnose your condition, your doctor will ask you several questions related to your painful swallowing, including:

• Medical History: The doctor will inquire about your symptoms, duration, and any other related medical conditions.
• Physical Examination: Examination of the throat, neck, and lymph nodes for signs of infection or inflammation.
• Throat Culture: Swabbing the throat to collect a sample for testing to identify the presence of bacteria or viruses.
• Imaging Tests: X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs may be ordered to check for structural abnormalities or other underlying issues.
• Endoscopy: A flexible tube with a camera ( endoscope) may be used to examine the throat, esophagus, and stomach for any abnormalities.
• Biopsy: If abnormalities are found in biopsy, a small tissue sample may be taken for further analysis.
• Allergy Testing: If allergies are suspected, allergy tests may be conducted to identify potential allergens triggering the symptoms.
• Blood Tests: Blood tests may be ordered to check for signs of infection or inflammation.

How is Painful Swallowing Treated?

Treatment for painful swallowing may vary depending on the cause of the pain. Your physician will probably prescribe antibiotics to treat infections of the throat, tonsils, or esophagus treatment. Your physician may give you a mouthwash that may numb your throat while you are taking oral antibiotics.

• A numbing agent helps block pain when swallowing pills.
• For severe pain, a throat spray can numb the area.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed to reduce inflammation in the esophagus, throat, or tonsils.
• If painful swallowing is frequent or tonsillitis is unresponsive to medications, surgery may be recommended.
• The surgery, called a tonsillectomy, removes the tonsils.
• Tonsillectomy is an outpatient procedure swallowing same-day discharge.
• Discuss risks with your doctor to determine if a tonsillectomy is right for you.

Home Remedies for Painful Swallowing

People may use the following home remedies to relieve the short-term pain of swallowing:

Taking Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce swelling and inflammation in the mouth, throat, and food tube, making it easier and less painful to swallow.

Taking Antacids

Antacids are effective in reducing pain resulting from acid reflux.

Using Throat Sprays

Sprays can numb the throat and help with swallowing. These are available OTC or online.

Gargle with Salt Water

Saltwater can decrease inflammation and make swallowing less painful. Mix 8 ounces (oz) of lukewarm water with 1 teaspoon (teaspoon) of salt and gargle this solution several times a day.

Sip Hot Drinks

Hot drinks, like herbal teas, can help reduce pain. Avoid making the liquid too hot. Otherwise, it may burn your throat.

Take a Hot Shower

The steam from a hot shower can help reduce any inflammation that causes painful swallowing.

Lifestyle Changes for Painful Swallowing

• Eat soft, easy-to-swallow foods to reduce throat irritation.
• Avoid spicy, acidic, or very hot foods and drinks that can worsen throat pain.
• Chew food thoroughly and eat slowly to prevent irritation or injury to the esophagus.
• Stay upright after eating to reduce acid reflux and esophageal irritation.
• Limit alcohol and tobacco use as they can irritate the throat and esophagus.
• Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent infections that can lead to throat pain.
• Use a humidifier to keep throat tissues moist and reduce discomfort.
• Manage stress and anxiety as they can worsen symptoms like reflux that affect swallowing.
• Follow prescribed medications and dietary guidelines for conditions like GERD or infections.