Definition
Almost everyone knows a burning sensation in the throat and the throat. Often one has to increasingly clear one’s throat, swallowing hurts or one notices a hoarseness. This acute occurrence is often observed at the beginning of a cold. The inflammation of the throat (pharyngitis) is usually caused by viruses and is therefore transitory. However, if the burning sensation in the throat occurs over a longer period of time, the cause should be investigated.
Causes of burning in the throat
One of the most common causes is a viral inflammation of the throat, also called pharyngitis. Chemical substances can also irritate the pharyngeal mucosa and cause a burning sensation. Very hot or cold food can also damage the mucous membrane.
If the burning sensation often occurs in connection with a meal, heartburn should be considered. Some people suffer from a disorder of the mucous membrane due to their disposition, which leads to a constant scratching of the throat. A chronic inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa can develop.
These symptoms are aggravated, for example, by cigarette smoke and the hormonal changes in women during the menopause. A common cause of burning in the throat is heartburn. This is when stomach acid enters the esophagus.
Normally, a sphincter at the entrance to the stomach (oesophageal sphincter) prevents reflux. If the muscle group is not working properly, the so-called “gastroesophageal reflux disease” (GERD) occurs. This can happen when the muscle is naturally weak or when it has been damaged by irritants such as nicotine.
Heartburn can also occur as a result of inflammation of the stomach, oesophagitis or a malignant change. The burning sensation in the throat is often accompanied by burping, painful pressure and nausea. – Causes of heartburn
- Nutrition for heartburn
Especially when you start using an e-cigarette again, there is often a burning and slight inflammation in the throat.
E-liquid is vaporized and this vapor is inhaled. It consists among other things of propylene glycol (PG), which is hydrophilic. It therefore binds water and can irritate the mucous membrane in the throat.
For some consumers, the substance can also trigger an allergic reaction. Often the burning sensation in the throat subsides after some time of habituation and disappears completely. Hay fever as a typical example of an allergy usually occurs seasonally.
If you are allergic to animal hair, dust mites or moulds, the symptoms can occur throughout the year. Usually a rhinitis, watery eyes, sneezing fits or even a burning and itching throat and pharynx are present. If the burning sensation in the throat occurs mainly in combination with certain foods, it can be a so-called oral allergy syndrome.
The reason for this is a cross-allergy. The allergens of early bloomers, for example, are similar to those of various foods. If you are allergic to birch, alder or hazelnut, nuts and stone fruit such as apples and pears are often not tolerated.
A frequent cross-allergy is also found with latex and fruits as well as dust mites and shellfish. The oral allergy syndrome often manifests itself by tingling, burning or itching in the mouth, tongue and lips. The focus is therefore usually further forward in the mouth area, but it can also be felt further back in the throat.
In some cases a burning sensation in the throat may have a psychological cause or existing symptoms may be aggravated by the psyche. It can occur in the context of a depressive illness. In most cases, however, a burning sensation in the throat is not the only symptom, but is accompanied by other indications, such as joylessness, early awakening or reduced drive.
In this case a psychological assessment should be considered. An acute inflammation of the thyroid gland can lead to a burning sensation in the throat. This is usually accompanied by a strong feeling of illness, painful pressure and an enlarged thyroid gland with difficulty swallowing as well as enlarged lymph nodes and fever.
The cause can be a bacterial infection or an inflammation after trauma or radiotherapy. A subacute inflammation of the thyroid gland can also manifest itself by burning in the throat. However, the course is usually more gradual or can even be almost symptom-free. In comparison, chronic inflammation usually manifests itself with symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, such as loss of appetite or restlessness. In any case, the suspicion of an acute inflammation should be clarified by a doctor.
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