Burning throat
Burning in the throat is typically a painful, hot or tingling sensation around the oesophagus. The location of this sensation can be a sign of the underlying cause of your condition. It is often not a cause for concern, as there are common causes, such as flu or a respiratory infection, for this sensation. However, some long-term gastrointestinal conditions can cause a burning throat.
If you suffer from a persistent burning throat, read on to learn more about possible causes and how to address them.
Causes
There are many causes of a burning throat, including cold or flu, tonsillitis, strep throat, infectious mononucleosis (more commonly known as mono), and postnasal drip. These typically cause a burning sensation in the upper region of your throat, which disappears once the infection/condition is treated and cured.
If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks and are felt in the lower parts of your oesophagus, this may be a sign that your condition is caused by a gastrointestinal issue. These conditions may not disappear with treatment but can be managed over time with key lifestyle changes and medication.
These include:
Acid reflux or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD or GERD)
Chronic acid reflux, also known as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD or GERD), occurs when acid travels up from the stomach and causes irritation in the throat. This is typically caused by a weakening of the lower oesophageal sphincter that separates the oesophagus (gullet) and the stomach.
If you suspect you may have GORD, you may feel a burning sensation due to stomach acid collected at the bottom of your oesophagus, causing inflammation.
Other symptoms you may be experiencing include the following:
- Unusually bad breath
- Coughing
- Belching
- Raspy or hoarse voice
- A lump in your throat
- Acid reflux
- Feeling or being sick
Burning mouth syndrome
Burning mouth syndrome is a type of pain disorder that causes a painful tingling sensation in the mouth (including the lips and tongue) and throat.
It is unknown what causes the condition, but there are theories that it could be due to a malfunction in the nerves that transmit sensations from the tongue to the brain.
Other symptoms you may experience include:
- A dry or numb mouth
- Tingling or stinging in your mouth
- Bitter or metallic taste
- Loss of taste
- Increased thirst
Oesophagitis
Oesophagitis is extreme throat inflammation caused by damage to the oesophagus.
People who are untreated for GORD or other acid reflux conditions have a higher risk of this issue, as they’re more likely to have ongoing damage to their oesophagus than others. Other causes include food allergies, infections around the oesophagus, radiation therapy, or ingesting harmful chemicals.
Other symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Belching
- Difficulty swallowing
- Heartburn
- Regurgitation
- Vomiting
Barrett’s Oesophagus
Barrett’s oesophagus is a condition where cells grow abnormally in the gullet (oesophagus). Due to acid reflux, the oesophageal lining becomes damaged, and the cells normally found in the gullet become more like the cells lining the stomach.
Other symptoms include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Frequent heartburn
- Hoarse voice
- Constant sore throat
- Bringing up food or acid after eating (regurgitation)
This condition is the most common in people with GORD, as persistent acid reflux can cause extensive damage to the oesophagus. In some cases, the changed cells can change again into cancerous cells, leading to oesophageal cancer. The risk is minimal, however, we recommend that patients with chronic digestive health problems still get regular check-ups. This is so we can spot any early signs of oesophageal cancer.
Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can impact the digestive tract lining, causing inflammation in the bowel. While it is uncommon to experience a burning throat with this condition, there are some instances where Crohn’s disease can cause inflammation in the oesophagus, causing a burning feeling.
Other common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Abdominal cramping
- Bloody or loose stools
- Constipation
- A sensation that your bowels are not completely emptied after going to the bathroom
- Decreased appetite
- Iron deficiency (anaemia)
Diagnosis
To find out what may be causing your symptoms, we recommend booking a consultation with a digestive specialist or your local GP. During your consultation, we will review your medical and family history, as well as your regular habits, to determine the direct cause.
We may run additional tests if we still cannot pinpoint the cause. However, your doctor will discuss this with you if they are needed.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on your diagnosis. It is essential to speak to your doctor about options for relieving your symptoms and pain and treating your condition.
Some home remedies that can relieve your symptoms include:
- Sucking on a throat lozenge or ice chips
- Drink warm liquids, like tea with honey
- Drink lots of fluids and keep hydrated
- Use a humidifier to keep your throat from drying out
- Taking over the counter pain medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
Book a consultation with one of our specialists if your symptoms do not go away, these remedies aren’t working, and your symptoms continue to affect your life.
If you regularly experience acid reflux, we recommend speaking to one of our specialists to determine the cause of your problems. We can then find a better solution than your current treatment method.
Book an appointment
At Digestive Health UK, our specialists can help diagnose and treat any digestive problems that may be causing your burning throat.
We offer both face-to-face and remote consultations. The quality of your care is of utmost importance to our team.
Get in touch today and learn more about how we can help you.