Table of contents:
- Conditions that cause sore throat next door
- 1. Postnasal drip (mucus behind the nose and throat)
- 2. Inflammation of the tonsils
- 3. Peritonsil abscess
- 4. Laryngitis
- 5. Swollen lymph nodes
A sore throat is irritating and excruciating. Especially if only one side hurts. Here are some of the most common causes of sore throats.
Conditions that cause sore throat next door
1. Postnasal drip (mucus behind the nose and throat)
Postnasal drip is a buildup of mucus behind the nose and throat that drips down into the throat. This condition is usually caused by allergic rhinitis or certain infections.
If the mucus builds up can't drain properly, the throat can become blocked and cause a cough. This can cause a sore throat, especially in the morning after sleeping on your side.
Postnasal drip is treated by treating the cause. Meanwhile, you can relieve symptoms by taking a decongestant, such as pseudoephedrine, to thin the mucus.
2. Inflammation of the tonsils
You have two tonsils (tonsils) that are on each side of the throat, just behind the tongue. When one of the tonsils is inflamed and swollen due to a viral or bacterial infection, the throat will feel sore on the side of the tonsil.
Most viral tonsillitis resolves on their own in about 10 days. You can take painkillers to relieve symptoms, or by gargling with salt water. Inflammation of the tonsils caused by a bacterial infection can be treated with prescription antibiotics.
3. Peritonsil abscess
A peritonsil abscess is a bacterial infection that usually appears as a pus-filled lump that grows near one of your tonsils. This condition is most often found in children, adolescents, and young adults.
Peritonsil abscess can cause sore throat. The pain is usually much worse on the side of the tonsil that is affected.
People with this condition need immediate medical attention. Your doctor will likely use a needle or small incision to drain pus from the affected area. You may also be prescribed antibiotics after the abscess is drained.
4. Laryngitis
Laryngitis is inflammation of the esophagus caused by swelling of the vocal cords so that the voice becomes hoarse. The vocal cords can become inflamed due to irritation from overuse (for singing, speaking, even screaming) or from a viral infection.
You have two vocal cords in your larynx that normally open and close smoothly to make a sound. If the vocal cords become swollen or irritated, in addition to hoarseness, you may also experience a sore throat on only one side.
Laryngitis usually goes away within 2-3 weeks, but this disease can last longer, so it is called chronic laryngitis. Chronic laryngitis takes longer to heal, depending on the cause.
5. Swollen lymph nodes
Swollen lymph nodes are usually caused by an infection, such as strep throat. Sometimes only one lymph node will swell, causing a sore throat on only one side.
In rare cases, swollen lymph nodes may be a sign of a more serious health problem, such as cancer or HIV. So, the best way to find out what causes a sore throat is to see a doctor directly.
