If you wake up with a dry throat out of the blue, it can bother you for the rest of your day. It can take longer in the morning to feel like yourself, and it can also mark the beginning of a cold, an infection, or several possible health conditions.
This article will talk about what can cause you to wake up with a dry throat. We’ll also talk about some of the associated treatments and how you can prevent it from happening to you in the first place.
Causes Of Waking Up With Dry Throat
There are many prominent causes of dry throat, and they may intertwine with those associated with dry mouth. One thing to consider is that the excess saliva you unconsciously swallow throughout the day keeps the throat and nearby tissues lubricated. Therefore, a lack of saliva production can lead to a dry throat, and it is often the most common cause.
Here are some of the causes of a dry throat:
- Dehydration. This can lead directly to low quantities of saliva produced by the salivary glands and can dry out your mouth and throat. You may also feel dehydrated if the humidity in your room is too low. Breathing in this dry air can dehydrate your throat and mouth.
- Allergies. Some people may be sensitive to dust mites, pollen, or other allergic triggers that may result in inflamed nasal passages and a blocked nose. Consequently, people with allergies may breathe through their mouths while they sleep. This can dry out the throat during the night. Some people may take antihistamine medication to help alleviate symptoms. However, common medications may pose the side effect of a dry mouth.
- Smoking. Cigarette smoke can inflame the mouth and throat tissues and lead to a sore or dry throat. Nicotine and the other compounds you inhale when you smoke pose many problems to the soft tissues inside your mouth and throat. They can irritate sensitive tissues and prevent the respiratory system’s self-cleaning mechanisms from working correctly.
- Air Pollution. Pollutants in the air can trigger a person’s allergies or asthma and irritate the delicate nasal passages of people who breathe in polluted air.
- Diabetes. People with diabetes may experience a dry mouth and throat as part of the many symptoms of this condition.
- Sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea experience interruptions to their breathing as they sleep, with more severe interruptions linked to an increased chance of dry mouth. It’s also common for people to breathe through their mouth with this condition, which can dry the mouth and throat.
Treatments That Can Help
Here are some tips you can use to help soothe your dry throat and reduce the severity of your symptoms:
- Use a humidifier to moisten the air if you live in a dry climate.
- Use an air purifier to remove allergens, such as pollen and dust, and pollutants from the air.
- Breathe through your nose rather than your mouth.
- Use medicated lozenges that contain ingredients designed to soothe the throat.
- Do not put too much strain on your voice. Talk softly and try not to raise your voice during the day.
- Avoid spicy foods, as these can irritate your throat and further contribute to your problems.
If you suspect that you have an underlying health condition that is to blame for your dry mouth, seek professional medical advice on how to treat it to ease your symptoms.
Prevention and Conclusion
If you frequently encounter a dry throat first thing in the morning, it’s essential to seek medical advice. A qualified doctor will be able to diagnose the issue and prescribe the appropriate treatments to prevent it from happening to you again.
Perio Health Professionals are your oral health specialists in Houston, TX. We have been serving the community with a board-certified team of periodontists since 1979. Our renowned experts in periodontics and implantology help restore damaged teeth, treat gum disease, and look and feel your best. Call us at (713) 783-5442 for any questions or schedule a consultation or appointment.