Sore Throat at Night: Causes and Treatments

A sore throat is usually attributable to a viral infection, akin to the cold, flu, or COVID-19, but a sore throat that only happens at night or within the morning is probably not related to sickness. Sometimes, it’s possible you’ll only have a sore throat on one side.

Several aspects could cause a sore throat at night, akin to environmental aspects or symptoms of other common health conditions that will worsen if you lie down. Sore throat symptoms may come and go because the triggers of your sore throat come and go, akin to seasonal allergies or dry winter air.

Learn more about what causes a sore throat at night and the way to get relief so you can feel and sleep higher.

Causes of a Sore Throat at Night

A sore throat that seems to occur only at night will be attributable to various things, from the state of the air you breathe to acid reflux disease that happens if you lie down.

Dry Air

Breathing in dry air can result in a dry throat, which can develop into irritated and sore. Running the heater or air-con overnight could make the air you breathe drier and will be why your throat is simply sore at night. Mouth respiratory while sleeping, especially in a dry environment, could make your throat dry and sore. Dry throat could also be particularly bad within the winter when the air is cold and dry.

Postnasal Drip

Postnasal drip is when mucus drains down your throat. One of the symptoms of postnasal drip is a sore throat. One reason why postnasal drip may cause sore throat at night is that the mucus collects in the back of the throat whilst you’re lying down or sleeping. This can lead you to cough or clear your throat more, which might make your throat sore.

Allergies

Exposure to allergens throughout the day can leave you with a sore throat at the top of the day. Allergies could also be seasonal, akin to from pollen within the air, or year-round, akin to from dander or pet hair. Allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever or nasal allergies) could cause a sore throat.

A sore throat from allergies is probably going a results of postnasal drip because the immune system triggers mucus production to trap allergens that enter the nose. The collection of mucus in the back of your throat could cause discomfort and soreness within the throat.

Muscle Strain

Muscle strain from talking lots or loudly could cause throat pain much like a sore throat. If you’ve been using your voice lots or speaking over loud noises throughout the day, it’s possible you’ll feel a sore throat coming on at night. This is only a matter of overuse of the muscles in your throat.

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), when stomach acid rises into your esophagus, throat, and mouth. Acid reflux could cause throat pain if the acid reaches the throat. Acid reflux while sleeping could also be attributable to your sleeping position. When you’re lying down, there isn’t gravity to assist keep stomach contents from coming up into the throat, resulting in throat discomfort at night.

Relief for a Sore Throat That’s Worse at Night

Getting relief from a sore throat at night can’t only show you how to feel higher but in addition show you how to sleep higher. Below are at-home remedies to try for sore throat relief:

• Suck on sore throat lozenges or hard candies (not for babies as a result of choking hazard)
• Drink warm or cold liquids, like hot lemon and honey tea or cold water, whichever feels more soothing on your throat
• Use a humidifier or vaporizer overnight to maintain the air from getting too dry
• Gargle warm salt water several times a day (1 cup water with ½ teaspoon salt)
• Take over-the-counter pain medication, akin to ibuprofen or acetaminophen

If you have got symptoms of a viral infection, akin to a cough or runny nose, along with a sore throat, getting treatment for the infection will help relieve your sore throat.

Sore Throat Triggers and Risk Factors

You might notice that your nightly sore throat is triggered in certain seasons. For example, postnasal drip may be spurred on by cold, dry air in winter or if you activate the air-con overnight.

In addition, seasonal allergies may make you more prone to a sore throat as the surplus mucus can irritate your throat.

You may also find that a sore throat at night is triggered after eating certain foods for dinner. The acid reflux disease that will occur after eating these foods, like spicy food, could cause a sore throat.

When to Talk With a Healthcare Provider

If you’re still unsure what’s causing your sore throat at night, discuss with a healthcare provider about what your sore throat looks like and another symptoms you have got. It may also help to share patterns you notice when your sore throat symptoms come and go. If your sore throat keeps happening for greater than two weeks, it might be time to discuss with a healthcare provider about it.

In addition, seek medical attention if you happen to notice any of the next symptoms along together with your sore throat:

• Pain if you swallow or speak
• Swelling of the lymph nodes in your neck
• White patches or pus on the back of your throat
• Rash
• Blood in your phlegm or spit
• Fever

Summary

A sore throat at night will be attributable to quite a lot of reasons, including dry air, postnasal drip, allergies, muscle strain, and acid reflux disease. Several at-home remedies, akin to gargles, lozenges, and soothing liquids, can relieve a sore throat at night. If a sore throat isn’t going away or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it’s best to discuss with a healthcare provider.