Throat Ulcers: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment

Throat ulcers are sores in the throat that are open. Sores can also form on your vocal cords and in your esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach). An ulcer develops when a break in the lining of your throat occurs as a result of an injury or illness, or when a membrane that lines break open and does not heal.  Throat ulcers Basic Care Omeprazole

Sores in the throat can become red and inflamed. They can make it difficult for you to eat and converse.

Causes

Throat ulcers can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including:

1. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are cancer treatments.
2. Yeast, bacteria, or a virus infection
3. Oropharyngeal cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the area of your throat just behind your mouth.
4. Herpangina is a viral illness that causes sores in the mouth and back of the throat in children.
5. Behçet syndrome is an inflammatory condition that affects your skin, mouth lining, and other parts of your body.

Ulcers in the esophagus can be caused by:

1. Backflow of acid from your stomach into your esophagus on a regular basis is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
2. Esophageal infection caused by viruses like herpes
3. HSV, HIV, HPV, or cytomegalovirus (CMV)
4. Irritants such as alcohol and some prescription drugs
5. Treatments for cancer include chemo and radiation.
6. Vomiting in excess

Vocal cord ulcers (also known as granulomas) can be caused by a variety of factors:

1. Excessive talking or singing causes annoyance.
2. Reflux of the stomach
3. Upper respiratory infections that keep coming back
4. An endotracheal tube is a tube that is inserted into your throat to assist you in breathing during surgery.

Symptoms

You may be experiencing these symptoms in addition to throat ulcers. Consult your doctor if this is the case:

1. Mouth ulcers
2. Swallowing difficulties
3. Throat patches that are white or red
4. Fever
5. A sore throat or a sore mouth
6. A lump in your throat
7. Stale breath
8. Have difficulty moving your jaw
9. Heartburn
10. Chest discomfort

Treatment

The treatment your doctor recommends is determined by the cause of your throat ulcers. The following may be included in your treatment:

1. Antibiotics or antifungals that your doctor has prescribed to treat a bacterial or yeast infection  

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2. Pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) to alleviate ulcer discomfort
3. Medicated rinses for pain relief and healing

You may need to take the following medications to treat an esophageal ulcer:

1. To neutralize stomach acid or reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces, take antacids, H2 receptor blockers, or proton pump inhibitors (over-the-counter or prescription).
2. To treat an infection, antibiotics or antiviral medications are used.

Treatment for vocal cord ulcers includes:

1. Resting your vocal cords
2. Going through vocal therapy
3. GERD treatment
4. If other treatments have failed, surgery may be considered.
5. You can also try the following home remedies to relieve the pain of throat sores:
6. Spicy, hot, and acidic foods should be avoided. These foods can aggravate the sores further.
7. Avoid aspirin (Bufferin), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), and alendronic acid, which can irritate your throat (Fosamax).
8. Soothe the sores by drinking cold liquids or sucking on something cold, such as ice chips or a Popsicle.
9. Throughout the day, drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
10. To relieve throat pain, consult your doctor about whether you should use a numbing rinse or medicine.
11. Gargle with warm salt water or a salt-water-baking-soda solution.
12. Do not consume tobacco or alcoholic beverages. These substances can also irritate the skin.

Prevention

Some causes of throat sores, such as cancer treatment, maybe impossible to avoid. Other causes may be easier to avoid.

Reduce your infection risk by doing the following: Wash your hands frequently throughout the day, especially before eating and after using the restroom, to maintain good hygiene. Stay away from anyone who appears to be ill. Also, make an effort to keep up with your vaccinations.

Exercise and eat a well-balanced diet: Maintain a healthy weight to avoid GERD. Extra weight puts

The strain on your stomach, causing acid to rise into your esophagus. Instead of three large meals per day, eat several smaller ones. Foods that cause acid reflux, such as spicy, acidic, fatty, and fried foods, should be avoided. Raise the head of your bed while sleeping to keep stomach acid at bay.

If necessary, make the following changes to your medications: Consult your doctor to see if any of the medications you're taking can cause ulcers in your throat. If that's the case, see if you can lower the dose, change how you take it, or switch to a different medication.

Smoking is not permitted: It raises your chances of getting cancer, which can lead to ulcers in your throat. Additionally, smoking irritates your throat and weakens the valve that prevents acid from backing up into your esophagus.

When should you see your doctor?

If your throat ulcers don't go away after a few days, or if you're experiencing other symptoms, such as:

1. Swallowing discomfort
2. Rash
3. Fever and chills
4. Heartburn
5. Lowered urination (a sign of dehydration)

Outlook

Your prognosis is determined by the cause of the ulcers in your throat and how they were treated.

Ulcers in the esophagus should heal in a few weeks. Taking medications to lower stomach acid can help you heal faster.

Chemotherapy-induced throat ulcers should heal once you've finished your cancer treatment.

After a few weeks of rest, vocal cord ulcers should heal.

Infections usually subside after a week or two. Antibiotics and antifungal medications can speed up the healing of a bacterial or yeast infection.