
In addition to a painful sore throat, you may experience a fever, swollen lymph nodes, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Unlike with viruses, these bacterial infections directly target the throat and won’t be accompanied by other cold-like symptoms. Throat Infectionīacterial infections that affect the throat include strep and tonsillitis. Rest and OTC medications are the standard treatment for these types of infections although your doctor may choose to prescribe steroids or antibiotics in some cases. If you have a viral or sinus infection, there will be a variety of other symptoms such as a runny/stuffy nose, headache, cough, or fever. The pain in your throat is likely caused by either inflamed tonsils, coughing, or irritation from sinus drip. Sinus infections could also be the blame. The most common cause for painful swallowing is a virus like a cold, the flu, or mono. You may be diagnosed with one of the following causes for painful swallowing: Viral or Sinus Infection But if your condition is severe or persists, you will need to see your PCP or throat doctor for treatment. Most of the time, painful swallowing is benign and can be treated easily with OTC medications and home remedies. All of these symptoms can make it difficult to swallow. You could be experiencing burning, soreness, a sharp pain, or the sensation that you have a lump in your throat. Painful swallowing is a common condition. Painful swallowing is a condition that may be too important to overlook, so call today.If you’re having a hard time eating and drinking, you’re not alone. You can also send a message to the team here on the website. If you notice any of these symptoms occurring when you have swallowing problems, be sure to share them with your physician, particularly if you have a telemedicine consultation.Ĭontact Lawrence Otolaryngology Associates by phone at the Lawrence or Ottawa, Kansas, office whenever swallowing causes you pain. Irregular stools, including bloody or with a dark, tar-like appearance.Your doctor will ask you about accompanying symptoms, such as: If you have no idea why you’re experiencing swallowing pain, a call to Lawrence Otolaryngology Associates is your first action.

Inflammation of the esophagus due to smoking, alcohol use, drug reactions, or medical treatments.Abnormal contractions of esophageal muscles.


Pain at any point could make swallowing difficult. The process includes chewing, moving food to the back of your mouth and then down your throat to the stomach. The journey from mouth to stomach isn’t long in physical distance, but it involves several systems. There’s no reason to ignore pain while swallowing. The practice is open with modified measures in place to assure patient safety through the COVID-19 pandemic, including telemedicine services. The doctors at Lawrence Otolaryngology Associates specialize in disorders of the throat, so they’re your first choice for consultation when you experience pain when you swallow. While chances are good that your swallowing problems won’t be serious, there are some situations where this symptom could point to a major health issue that brings potentially dangerous complications. However, not all sore throats cause swallowing issues, and not all swallowing issues stem from common conditions. This may be a problem only every few years, and after some time and many throat lozenges, they’re good to go until the next time a virus hits. Most people also know the feeling of swallowing difficulties that accompany sore throats when they’re ill. Not only is it an automatic response while you’re eating, you swallow saliva frequently throughout the day.
