Having a hard time talking, eating and drinking because you can spot some open sores in your throat while in front of a mirror? Then this article is made specifically for you. Below are a few very important details about throat ulcers that you need to know — so don’t stop reading now.
Throat ulcers are quite common as they can be caused by a wide variety of things such as acid reflux and excessive intake of alcoholic beverages. It’s exactly for this reason why it is a good idea for you to share this article on your various social media sites afterwards — some of your family and friends may be suffering from throat ulcers, too.
Before you proceed, it’s important to note that none of the things below should be taken as medical advice, which is something that only a licensed health care provider can offer. If the problem persists for several days or is keeping you from having a smooth-sailing day, see a doctor ASAP.
Symptoms
Just like what it’s called suggests, throat ulcers is characterized by the presence of open sores in the throat. However, it’s possible for those sores to also appear where you cannot spot them, such as on your vocal cords on in your esophagus.
Open sores look painful because they are actually painful. Needless to say, having one sore or more can make it hard for you to eat or drink. Talking can be a massive problem, too, if the one affected is your vocal cords. While inspecting your throat in front of a mirror, it’s not unlikely for you to notice some red or white patches.
Having bad breath is a symptom, too. You may also experience chest pain most especially if the cause of your bout of throat ulcers is acid reflux, which is something that can cause heartburn.
Causes
Speaking of acid reflux, it can cause throat sores because acid that has escaped the stomach can wreak havoc on the lining of your throat, also including that of your vocal cord and esophagus. Aside from acid reflux, gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, which is a problem with the sphincter between the esophagus and stomach, is a culprit as well.
Excessive vomiting can also be blamed for throat ulcers, according to experts. That’s because the content of the stomach that is ejected contains digestive acid that can cause erosion of the lining of the upper part of the digestive tract.
Another common reason why throat ulcers strike is the intake of alcohol, especially in excessive amounts. It doesn’t really come as a big surprise because alcohol is an irritant. And speaking of irritants, excessive singing, shouting or talking can actually cause irritation, too. Needless to say, they can also cause throat ulcers.
Other things that can be blamed for the appearance of throat ulcers are: intake of certain medications, undergoing treatment for cancer such as radiation or chemotherapy, and an infection brought by all kinds of things such as yeast, bacteria and viruses.
Treatment
Since throat ulcers can be caused by so many things, treatment for it varies. The best treatment for the problem will depend on the reason behind it.
For instance, a doctor may prescribe antacids and proton pump inhibitors or PPIs if the problem is brought about by acid reflux or GERD. If the culprit is a form of bacterial infection, then it’s probable that the administration of antibiotics will be done. In some instance, surgery may be warranted if conservative treatments do not do the trick.
To attain relief from the symptoms of throat ulcers, various things may be carried out. For instance, gargling with warm salt water may be done on a regular basis. The intake of alcoholic drinks and spicy or acidic foods should be avoided. Numbing rinses that are available OTC may be used, too.
