What is a dry throat?
A dry throat is exactly what the term indicates: a dry feeling in the throat. This is caused by a lack of mucus in the throat. This causes the mucous membranes to become dry.
Symptoms of a dry throat
People with a dry throat often experience:
- The tendency to swallow a lot
- The urge to clear the throat often
- A dry palate
- Dry mucous membranes (which produce a thick fluid that moistens the throat, also called mucus).
- A lump feeling in the throat
- A dry mouth
- A dry feeling at the back of the throat (back of the pharynx)
Causes of a dry throat
A dry throat may be caused by:
- Snoring
- Breathing too much through the mouth
- Overload of the voice and neck muscles
- An allergy, such as hay fever
- Gastric acid
- A (chronic) throat infection
- A malignant condition (this is rare)
How long does a dry throat last?
This depends on several factors, including the cause of the dry throat, the severity of the condition and whether you have it treated.
In general, the symptoms of a dry throat are short-lived and can disappear within a few days to a few weeks. This is especially true if the cause is temporary, such as dry air or a mild infection.
What to do about a dry throat?
You can relieve the symptoms associated with a dry throat with:
Do the complaints last for a longer period of time or are you worried? Please contact your GP.
