Sore Throat at Night: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Why Do I Have a Sore Throat at Night?

A sore throat at night is a common problem that many people suffer from. Sometimes, the problem fades away by the next day, prompting the individual to shrug it off. If a sore throat becomes a nightly problem, however, it's important to pursue a diagnosis.

Although having a sore throat at night might seems like a small problem in the scheme of things, and it may be a common bacterial or viral infection, there are some less common causes that might be causing the condition. If you're currently suffering from nightly bouts of a sore throat, here are some of the things you should know about.

Symptoms of Sore Throat:

The most obvious symptom is a pain in the throat which worsens when swallowing. The muscles along the throat may also become weaker due to the soreness, making it harder for an individual to swallow. The tonsils may also be affected, leading to redness, soreness, and white patches on the surface. In most cases, the throat feels dry, scratchy, and uncomfortable.

Causes of Sore Throat at Night:

There are several possible reasons for a sore throat at night time, ranging from the harmless to the serious. Here are some possible causes:

Bacterial Infection. Several types of bacteria can cause a sore throat, the most common of which is strep (which causes sore, red throat with white patches, difficulty swallowing, headache, chills, loss of appetite, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.) There's also diphtheria (which causes sore, hoarse throat, low fever, a thick, grayish membrane covering the throat and tonsils, swollen neck glands, difficulty or rapid breathing, congestion, chills, and fever). Whooping cough (aka pertussis) (which causes runny nose, sneezing, harsh, wheezing cough, and slight fever), is quite common in children and easily contracted, tonsillitis (sore throat, fever, red/swollen tonsils, nasal congestion, and swollen lymph nodes), or uvulitis (sore throat and swelling and redness of the uvula). Fortunately, these bacterial infections of the throat can be easily treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated, might lead to complications.

Allergies. A sore throat can be triggered by environmental allergens and accompanied by other symptoms such as sneezing, swelling of body parts, rashes, and itchiness. Some of the most common things people are allergic to include pet dander, mold, dust, and pollen.

Viral Infections. Many viral infections can trigger a sore throat, including laryngitis, mononucleosis, mumps, herpangina, chickenpox, measles, influenza (flu), croup, and the common cold, although their additional symptoms vary. Viral infections are actually a more common cause of a sore throat than bacterial infections and do not respond to antibiotics.

Muscle Strain. If you have been talking or yelling for the better part of the day, don't be surprised to feel a sore throat that night. Like all muscles, the throat can grow tired and ache when given too much exercise. In cases like this, the soreness will fade away in time.

Dryness. Dry weather is also a known cause of a sore throat. During winter, many buildings are heated which means a person could be inhaling recycled air, eliminating any dampness that keeps the throat flexible.

Treatment for Sore Throat

The treatment for a sore throat before going to bed varies depending on the underlying cause of the problem. Individuals who suffer from the condition occasionally may only need the simplest treatment methods to make the problem go away. Others may need more powerful medication or medical intervention to alleviate the problem.

Before you rush to the doctor, try some of the following at-home treatments to soothe a sore throat:

Warm Beverage. A sore throat caused by muscle strain can be treated with hot tea and honey. The warmth of the drink helps relax the muscles and the honey coats the throat, alleviating the pain. Drinking liquid also helps with dehydration.

Gargle. Gargle once an hour with a teaspoon (5 g) of salt dissolved in a cup (240 mL) of warm water to help reduce swelling and relieve discomfort.

Lozenges. If the soreness only happens occasionally, over-the-counter medicine might help do the trick. Purchase some lozenges and use them as instructed in the label. They are considered a safe and effective way to numb the pain.

Decongestant. A sore throat stemming from a cold can be soothed with a decongestant, which helps lessen the mucus and, therefore, alleviating the postnatal drip.

Humidifier. A sore throat from dry conditions is easily handled by a humidifier. If you don't have access to one, try sitting in a steamy bathroom. You can pour boiling water into a bowl and lean over it; drape a towel over your head to create a steam chamber. This will help clear up the passageways, alleviating pain along the throat.