Here’s why you’re waking up with a sore throat 

Here’s the scenario: You go to bed feeling fine but wake up in the morning with a sore, scratchy throat.  What happened during the night?   Did you leave a window open, did you have a fan running, or was the room too cold? Any of these situations may cause an inflamed throat but the main culprit could be a variety of reasons.  Here are some to consider:

·      Air quality – Depending on the time of year and humidity levels, leaving a window open while sleeping can actually help you breathe better.  Unless the air is very dry.  Sometimes running a fan can dry the air it circulates that you breathe, drying your throat.  But, what if you need the while noise of fan to help you sleep better. In that case, face the fan away from allowing it to still circulate air that is not directed right at you while still producing background noise lulling you to sleep.  If dry air is still a problem, invest in a quality humidifier, especially during winter when dry air is common. Also, be sure to keep yourself well-hydrated with water to combat dryness.

·      You’re a mouth breather – Breathing through your nose has the advantage of keeping moisture in your mouth and throat – sort of like a built-in humidifier. But if you naturally breathe with your mouth or your nasal passages aren’t clear, you’ll also naturally resort to mouth breathing. When your nose is plugged up causing mouth breathing, try Afrin for short-term relief at bedtime for a few days.  For longer-relief, use a steroid nasal spray such as fluticasone or use Breathe Right nasal strips. 

·      You have acid reflux – Lying down is more likely to result in acid reflux in people who are prone to this.  The reflux can go back up towards the throat, causing it to feel sore or scratchy. To combat this tendency, steer clear of spicy foods, keep your weight under control, and avoid eating right or drinking alcohol before bedtime.

·      Allergies – If allergies are a part of your life, then you likely have also experienced waking up with a sore throat.  Fortunately, there are strategies you can do to lessen this from happening: 

·       Change air filters regularly

·       Keep pets out of your bedroom

·       Remove carpets and drapes, if possible

·       Line mattress and pillows if your are allergic to dust mites

·       Shower in the morning – the steam can soothe your throat

If you continue to wake up periodically with a sore or scratchy throat, then it’s time to see your doctor. This is especially so if your smoke, have acid reflux or drink a lot of alcohol. Any associated change of voice or difficulty swallowing is also worrisome and should be checked out. One thing to keep in mind is a sore throat in the morning that goes away after some food and drink is rarely a sign of something serious. 

Dr. David B. Samadi is a Urologic Oncology Expert and Robotic Surgeon located at 485 Madison Avenue on the 21st floor, New York, NY – 212-365-5000.  Follow Dr. Samadi at www.samadimd.com,  www.prostatecancer911.com, and www.roboticoncology.com.