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Itchy throat anxiety


Anxiety Sore Throat: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention

When you’re feeling anxious, you may realize that your throat hurts. You might also feel tightness, a lump in your throat, or have trouble swallowing.

While we may think of anxiety as an emotional or mental health issue, it can actually affect your body in a variety of ways. A sore throat is just one of many potential physical symptoms.

Let’s take a closer look at how anxiety can affect your throat, tips to prevent it from happening, and when you may want to see a doctor.

When you’re under stress or feeling anxious, your body reacts by releasing adrenaline and cortisol into your bloodstream. In addition to increasing your heart rate and blood pressure, the release of these hormones can lead to a variety of physical responses, such as:

  • rapid, shallow breathing
  • breathing through your mouth
  • hyperventilation
  • anxious coughing
  • muscle tension

This, in turn, can lead to:

  • sore throat
  • dry throat
  • tightness
  • burning sensation in your throat

When you’re feeling tense or anxious, the stress hormones in your body may also cause the following types of throat issues:

Muscle tension dysphonia

Muscle tension dysphonia is a coordination problem involving muscles and breathing patterns associated with your voice. When you’re stressed, muscles that control your voice box can tense up. This can cause hoarseness, a voice that cracks, or the need to strain your voice to be heard.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that can be exacerbated by anxiety. A recent prospective, multicenter study found that visceral anxiety is one of the strongest predictors of the severity of dysphagia.

Globus sensation

If you have a lump in your throat, but there’s nothing actually there, that’s called globus sensation. It’s usually not painful, but it can get worse with anxiety and stress.

Research shows that stressful life events often precede the onset of symptoms. Some studies have found that up to 96 percent of patients with globus sensation reported worsening symptoms during highly emotional periods.

Other contributing factors

If you happen to have a condition that affects your throat, such as allergies, tonsillitis, the common cold, acid reflux, or GERD, anxiety can make your sore throat and other throat symptoms worse.

If your sore throat is due to anxiety, it’s likely going to ramp up when you feel intense emotional stress. As you transition to a calmer state, your sore or tight throat will likely start to ease.

Here are some other signs that your sore throat may be due to anxiety:

  • breathing through your mouth
  • hyperventilation
  • tense muscles
  • anxious coughing

Your sore throat may not be anxiety-related if it continues to be sore once you feel calmer. Also, it may not be due to anxiety if you have symptoms such as:

  • swollen tonsils
  • nasal congestion
  • a wet cough
  • fever
  • nausea, vomiting
  • body aches and pains
  • headache
  • fatigue

In moments of high stress, there are steps you can take to calm your anxiety:

  • Focus on breathing slowly and deeply. Breathe in through your nose and allow your lungs to fill completely. Breathe out slowly through your mouth. You can do this anywhere at any time. If possible, it may help to find a quiet, comfortable place to sit and close your eyes while you breathe deeply.
  • Take a walk. Get outside and take a walk, paying attention to your stride and your surroundings rather than the things that make you anxious.
  • Listen to or play music. Let your favorite music or soundtrack take you away. Or spend a few minutes playing a musical instrument.
  • Focus on a favorite activity. Distract yourself by playing a game, doing a puzzle, reading, watching something that makes you laugh, or indulging in your favorite hobby.
  • Talk to a friend. Reach out to a friend or family member. If you can’t talk to them in person, call or message them.
  • If too many things are coming at you at once, unplug. Carve out some quiet time by turning off your phone and other gadgets. Even 15 minutes of quiet time may be enough to help you destress and feel calmer.
  • Journal your thoughts. During times of stress or anxiety, writing may help you sort through your emotions.

In the longer term, there are some lifestyle tweaks that may help you manage and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress:

  • Get regular exercise. This doesn’t mean training for a marathon or powerlifting at the gym. Even a brisk 10-minute walk, some simple stretches, or a short session of yoga can help calm your stressed nerves.
  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Try to avoid using food for comfort. Limit your intake of sugary, fatty foods, and focus on healthy foods that can fuel you with the nutrients your body needs.
  • Avoid alcohol and tobacco. Drinking alcohol or smoking a cigarette may calm you at first, but your feelings of anxiety may return with a vengeance once the effect has worn off. Becoming dependent on alcohol or tobacco can add to your stress and anxiety.
  • Cut back on caffeine. High doses of caffeine can increase your anxiety and even leave you feeling jittery. If you feel anxious after drinking coffee, tea, or energy drinks, consider cutting back or opting for decaffeinated beverages.
  • Make sure you’re getting adequate sleep. A lack of sleep can exacerbate feelings of anxiety. Try to create a relaxing bedtime routine, switch off devices and electronics at least an hour before bed, and keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.
  • Learn to meditate. The goal of meditation is to replace chaotic thoughts in your mind with a sense of calm by focusing on the present moment. Research has shown that it’s a highly effective tool for stress reduction.
  • Try breathing exercises. Doing specific breathing exercises can help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with anxiety and stress.
  • Visualize your happy place. Painting a picture in your mind of a place that makes you feel relaxed and happy may help calm your brain and body.
  • Maintain social connections. Research has shown that having good social support can help get you through stressful times and lower your risk of anxiety.

It’ll likely take practice, but you may be able to stop a sore throat from developing. Here are some pointers to keep in mind at the first sign of anxiety:

  • Are you breathing through your mouth? Try to control your breathing by taking long, deep breaths in through your nose and out your mouth.
  • Is your mouth dry? Have a cup of decaffeinated tea or a glass of water. Or try gargling with warm salt water.
  • Are your muscles tight? Try deep-breathing exercises, stretches, meditation, or yoga to quiet your mind and calm your body.
  • Do you have an anxious cough? Try a soothing cough drop or a spoonful of honey in a glass of warm water.

Occasional anxiety due to stress isn’t unusual and doesn’t require a visit to your doctor, especially if you don’t have other symptoms.

However, do see your doctor if:

  • You frequently feel overly stressed or think you’re having anxiety attacks.
  • Anxiety is interfering with your ability to function or go about your daily life.
  • You have physical symptoms that concern you.

Remember, it’s possible to have anxiety and a sore throat that’s caused by something else. If you’re concerned about your sore throat and think it may be due to a condition other than anxiety, it’s worth getting a diagnosis so you can start any necessary treatment.

Anxiety can cause many physical symptoms, including a sore throat. When you feel anxious, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol. Besides causing your heart rate and blood pressure to increase, these hormones can also cause you to take rapid, shallow breaths through your mouth. Your muscles can also tense up. This can lead to a sore or tight throat.

Your sore throat may not be anxiety-related if it continues to be sore once you feel calmer. Also, it may not be due to anxiety if you have other symptoms like nasal congestion, fever, a cough, body aches, or swollen tonsils.

If you have any concerns about your anxiety or believe that your sore throat could be due to something else entirely, see your doctor. Anxiety and symptoms of anxiety can be treated and effectively managed.

Anxiety Sore Throat: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention

When you’re feeling anxious, you may realize that your throat hurts. You might also feel tightness, a lump in your throat, or have trouble swallowing.

While we may think of anxiety as an emotional or mental health issue, it can actually affect your body in a variety of ways. A sore throat is just one of many potential physical symptoms.

Let’s take a closer look at how anxiety can affect your throat, tips to prevent it from happening, and when you may want to see a doctor.

When you’re under stress or feeling anxious, your body reacts by releasing adrenaline and cortisol into your bloodstream. In addition to increasing your heart rate and blood pressure, the release of these hormones can lead to a variety of physical responses, such as:

  • rapid, shallow breathing
  • breathing through your mouth
  • hyperventilation
  • anxious coughing
  • muscle tension

This, in turn, can lead to:

  • sore throat
  • dry throat
  • tightness
  • burning sensation in your throat

When you’re feeling tense or anxious, the stress hormones in your body may also cause the following types of throat issues:

Muscle tension dysphonia

Muscle tension dysphonia is a coordination problem involving muscles and breathing patterns associated with your voice. When you’re stressed, muscles that control your voice box can tense up. This can cause hoarseness, a voice that cracks, or the need to strain your voice to be heard.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia is a swallowing disorder that can be exacerbated by anxiety. A recent prospective, multicenter study found that visceral anxiety is one of the strongest predictors of the severity of dysphagia.

Globus sensation

If you have a lump in your throat, but there’s nothing actually there, that’s called globus sensation. It’s usually not painful, but it can get worse with anxiety and stress.

Research shows that stressful life events often precede the onset of symptoms. Some studies have found that up to 96 percent of patients with globus sensation reported worsening symptoms during highly emotional periods.

Other contributing factors

If you happen to have a condition that affects your throat, such as allergies, tonsillitis, the common cold, acid reflux, or GERD, anxiety can make your sore throat and other throat symptoms worse.

If your sore throat is due to anxiety, it’s likely going to ramp up when you feel intense emotional stress. As you transition to a calmer state, your sore or tight throat will likely start to ease.

Here are some other signs that your sore throat may be due to anxiety:

  • breathing through your mouth
  • hyperventilation
  • tense muscles
  • anxious coughing

Your sore throat may not be anxiety-related if it continues to be sore once you feel calmer. Also, it may not be due to anxiety if you have symptoms such as:

  • swollen tonsils
  • nasal congestion
  • a wet cough
  • fever
  • nausea, vomiting
  • body aches and pains
  • headache
  • fatigue

In moments of high stress, there are steps you can take to calm your anxiety:

  • Focus on breathing slowly and deeply. Breathe in through your nose and allow your lungs to fill completely. Breathe out slowly through your mouth. You can do this anywhere at any time. If possible, it may help to find a quiet, comfortable place to sit and close your eyes while you breathe deeply.
  • Take a walk. Get outside and take a walk, paying attention to your stride and your surroundings rather than the things that make you anxious.
  • Listen to or play music. Let your favorite music or soundtrack take you away. Or spend a few minutes playing a musical instrument.
  • Focus on a favorite activity. Distract yourself by playing a game, doing a puzzle, reading, watching something that makes you laugh, or indulging in your favorite hobby.
  • Talk to a friend. Reach out to a friend or family member. If you can’t talk to them in person, call or message them.
  • If too many things are coming at you at once, unplug. Carve out some quiet time by turning off your phone and other gadgets. Even 15 minutes of quiet time may be enough to help you destress and feel calmer.
  • Journal your thoughts. During times of stress or anxiety, writing may help you sort through your emotions.

In the longer term, there are some lifestyle tweaks that may help you manage and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress:

  • Get regular exercise. This doesn’t mean training for a marathon or powerlifting at the gym. Even a brisk 10-minute walk, some simple stretches, or a short session of yoga can help calm your stressed nerves.
  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Try to avoid using food for comfort. Limit your intake of sugary, fatty foods, and focus on healthy foods that can fuel you with the nutrients your body needs.
  • Avoid alcohol and tobacco. Drinking alcohol or smoking a cigarette may calm you at first, but your feelings of anxiety may return with a vengeance once the effect has worn off. Becoming dependent on alcohol or tobacco can add to your stress and anxiety.
  • Cut back on caffeine. High doses of caffeine can increase your anxiety and even leave you feeling jittery. If you feel anxious after drinking coffee, tea, or energy drinks, consider cutting back or opting for decaffeinated beverages.
  • Make sure you’re getting adequate sleep. A lack of sleep can exacerbate feelings of anxiety. Try to create a relaxing bedtime routine, switch off devices and electronics at least an hour before bed, and keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet.
  • Learn to meditate. The goal of meditation is to replace chaotic thoughts in your mind with a sense of calm by focusing on the present moment. Research has shown that it’s a highly effective tool for stress reduction.
  • Try breathing exercises. Doing specific breathing exercises can help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with anxiety and stress.
  • Visualize your happy place. Painting a picture in your mind of a place that makes you feel relaxed and happy may help calm your brain and body.
  • Maintain social connections. Research has shown that having good social support can help get you through stressful times and lower your risk of anxiety.

It’ll likely take practice, but you may be able to stop a sore throat from developing. Here are some pointers to keep in mind at the first sign of anxiety:

  • Are you breathing through your mouth? Try to control your breathing by taking long, deep breaths in through your nose and out your mouth.
  • Is your mouth dry? Have a cup of decaffeinated tea or a glass of water. Or try gargling with warm salt water.
  • Are your muscles tight? Try deep-breathing exercises, stretches, meditation, or yoga to quiet your mind and calm your body.
  • Do you have an anxious cough? Try a soothing cough drop or a spoonful of honey in a glass of warm water.

Occasional anxiety due to stress isn’t unusual and doesn’t require a visit to your doctor, especially if you don’t have other symptoms.

However, do see your doctor if:

  • You frequently feel overly stressed or think you’re having anxiety attacks.
  • Anxiety is interfering with your ability to function or go about your daily life.
  • You have physical symptoms that concern you.

Remember, it’s possible to have anxiety and a sore throat that’s caused by something else. If you’re concerned about your sore throat and think it may be due to a condition other than anxiety, it’s worth getting a diagnosis so you can start any necessary treatment.

Anxiety can cause many physical symptoms, including a sore throat. When you feel anxious, your body releases adrenaline and cortisol. Besides causing your heart rate and blood pressure to increase, these hormones can also cause you to take rapid, shallow breaths through your mouth. Your muscles can also tense up. This can lead to a sore or tight throat.

Your sore throat may not be anxiety-related if it continues to be sore once you feel calmer. Also, it may not be due to anxiety if you have other symptoms like nasal congestion, fever, a cough, body aches, or swollen tonsils.

If you have any concerns about your anxiety or believe that your sore throat could be due to something else entirely, see your doctor. Anxiety and symptoms of anxiety can be treated and effectively managed.

A sore throat can be caused not only by an infection

Almost every person from time to time experiences such an unpleasant symptom as irritation in the throat (itching). The reasons for its occurrence are very diverse, below are the most common of them.

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is the most common cause of itchy throat. This disease develops when the body recognizes generally harmless objects or substances as a threat and produces large amounts of histamine. Common allergens: pollen, dust, cigarette smoke and car exhaust. Also, an allergic reaction can develop in response to food allergens or certain medicines entering the body. Usually, the development of an allergic response takes from several minutes to several hours.

Itchy throat caused by allergic rhinitis may be accompanied by nasal congestion and discharge, high pressure in the paranasal (paranasal) sinuses, eye and skin irritation, sneezing, fatigue, swelling and redness of the eyes, watery eyes. If itching in the throat is due to a food or drug allergy, then it may be accompanied by symptoms such as rashes, redness of the skin around the eyes, eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, swelling of the lips, tongue and throat, difficulty breathing and swallowing, changes in blood pressure and loss of consciousness.

Angina or other bacterial infections can also cause an itchy throat that turns into pain. Irritation in the throat can accompany colds and flu. In the case of a cold, itching in the throat turns into moderate pain, and in the case of the flu, the pain can be severe and accompanied by high body temperature, muscle pain and discomfort in the chest.

If itching in the throat is caused by an acute infectious disease, it is often transient and is accompanied by high body temperature, swelling of the tonsils, muscle pain, weakness, headache, cough and nasal congestion.

Dehydration (not enough water in the body) can cause dry mouth, a temporary condition in which not enough saliva is produced in the mouth. Such a violation often occurs in hot weather, after intense physical exertion and during certain diseases. If the itchy throat is caused by dehydration, it may be accompanied by thirst, dry mouth, and dark urine.

Some individuals with chronic acid reflux, also known as heartburn, may experience throat problems. Acid reflux is the entry of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus. In some cases, a person may develop asymptomatic reflux, the main symptom of which is chronic irritation in the throat.

If itching in the throat is caused by heartburn, it is most often accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty or pain when swallowing, a burning sensation in the chest or throat, inflammation of the larynx, damage to tooth enamel, inflammation of the gums and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.

Some blood pressure medicines may cause dry mouth and itchy throat that are not associated with allergic reactions.

The choice of agent to combat irritation in the throat depends on the cause of the symptom. In most cases, these are useful: a spoonful of honey to coat the throat, gargling with salt water, cough drops, nasal spray, hot tea with lemon and honey.

Several steps can be taken to prevent sore throats, such as stopping smoking, drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and washing hands frequently during cold season.

If the itching in the throat persists for 10 days, gets worse and cannot be treated at home, you should seek medical help. If irritation in the throat is combined with some symptoms, you should immediately seek medical help. These include: difficulty breathing and swallowing, airway obstruction, skin rashes, swelling of the face, severe sore throat and high body temperature.

Based on www.medicalnewstoday.com

We treat itching in the throat, help with ENT diseases

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  • Types of disease
  • Causes of itchy throat
  • ENT pathologies
  • Other causes
  • When to see a doctor
  • How to get rid of an itchy throat
  • Causes of an itchy throat
  • Prevention

Itchy throat pathologies. This symptom can be constant or intermittent - for example, itching in the throat at night, before coughing, when allergens get on the mucous membranes, etc. Let's find out what it is connected with and why it should not be ignored!

Types of disease

Itching in the throat is classified according to the reasons it is caused by:

  • Pruritoceptive - associated with inflammatory processes, foreign bodies and mechanical damage to the mucous membrane of the throat.
  • Allergic itching in the throat - occurs when the mediator of allergic reactions (histamine) acts on the mucous membrane.
  • Neuropathic - associated with lesions of the central system, for example, vascular pathologies, hemorrhages, brain tumors.
  • Psychogenic - is a reaction to stress, overwork, anxiety and other psycho-emotional disorders.

Causes of an itchy throat

Why does my throat itch? This symptom may be associated with pathologies of the throat and larynx, as well as other causes.

ENT pathologies

  • Inflammatory diseases - pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis and other pathologies are a common cause of itching.
  • Neoplasms of the larynx and pharynx are a dangerous disease that can be malignant in nature. As the tissue develops and spreads, symptoms intensify - the throat itches from the inside, swallowing and breathing become difficult.
  • Injuries, foreign bodies, insect bites - may cause itching, swelling and irritation.
  • Voice fatigue - in singers, presenters, teachers, etc.

Other causes

When a person is bothered by an itchy throat, the causes may be as follows:

  • Allergy - a sensation occurs when an allergen acts on the mucous membrane of the throat and causes a protective reaction of body cells.
  • Endocrine disorders - often develop during pregnancy, puberty, menopause against the background of hormonal changes in the body. This is due to the fact that the larynx is a hormone-dependent organ.
  • Neurosis of the pharynx - the sensitivity of the mucous membrane is disturbed, and this is manifested by itching, perspiration, pain.
  • Gastrointestinal disorders - in esophageal reflux, gastric juice is transferred into the esophagus and can irritate the mucous membranes of the throat.
  • Disorders of the central nervous system - with strokes, aneurysms, tumors in the brain, etc.
  • Stress, overexertion and other psychogenic factors.

When to see a doctor

Even the slightest sore throat and itching are reasons for examination by an ENT doctor. It is especially important to seek help if symptoms worsen - the throat scratches, hurts, breathing and swallowing are difficult. All these are signs of diseases that need treatment. If you pay attention to the problem in time, you can cure the pathology, avoiding serious complications.

How to get rid of an itchy throat

If a person has an itchy throat, treatment depends on the cause. Allergies are treated with antihistamines and specific immunotherapy. In inflammatory diseases, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, as well as medical procedures.

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