Q&A

Why does it hurt to swallow food?

Why does it hurt to swallow food?

A wide range of factors can cause painful swallowing, including: Infections, such as the common cold, the flu, and strep throat. Inflammation of the mouth, throat, or esophagus caused by tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, or esophagitis.

What does it mean if I have a sore throat when I swallow?

A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow. The most common cause of a sore throat (pharyngitis) is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. A sore throat caused by a virus resolves on its own.

How do you get rid of a sore throat ASAP?

16 Best Sore Throat Remedies to Make You Feel Better Fast, According to Doctors

  1. Gargle with salt water—but steer clear of apple cider vinegar.
  2. Drink extra-cold liquids.
  3. Suck on an ice pop.
  4. Fight dry air with a humidifier.
  5. Skip acidic foods.
  6. Swallow antacids.
  7. Sip herbal teas.
  8. Coat and soothe your throat with honey.

How many days is too many for a sore throat?

However, a sore throat despite its cause should last between 7 to 10 days . Any sore throat symptoms lasting for more than ten days necessitate immediate doctor’s attention for diagnosis and further treatment. This is because such sore throats can be underlying symptoms of serious illnesses such as throat cancer or even AIDS.

Why does my chest hurt when swallowing food?

Eating-related chest pain when swallowing is often an indicator of gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD). This condition occurs when acid from the stomach pushes its way into the esophagus. Food or drink intake will aggravate this process due to increased acid production.

What’s the best sore throat medicine to use?

The best medicines for a sore throat are over-the-counter (OTC) medications. These drugs are effective at relieving pain, discomfort, and fever. Some of these OTC medicines include acetaminophen ( Tylenol ®) or NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen (Motrin ®, Advil ®) or naproxen (Aleve ®).

What causes sharp pain when swallowing?

Throat infections are one of the most common causes of pain when swallowing. These include strep throat, which is an infection with Streptococcal bacteria. People with strep throat may also notice: swollen, tender lymph nodes on one or both sides of the neck.