Throat problems.. what could it be??

Question

It feels like the back of my tongue has been sliced, and the back of my throat too. It is getting increasingly harder to swallow and talk. I also feel the need to ice both the inside and outside of my throat. any advice..?

it only hurts on the left side

Answer 1

Sore throat is a symptom of many medical disorders. Infections cause the majority of sore throats and are contagious. Infections are caused either by viruses such as the flu, the common cold, mononucleosis, or by bacteria such as strep, mycoplasma, or hemophilus


Sore throats accompany other viral infections such as measles, chicken pox, whooping cough, and croup. Canker sores and fever blisters in the throat also can be very painful.


While bacteria respond to antibiotic treatment, viruses do not.


Viruses: Most viral sore throats accompany flu or colds along with a stuffy, runny nose, sneezing, and generalized aches and pains. These viruses are highly contagious and spread quickly, especially in winter. The body builds antibodies that destroy the virus, a process that takes about a week.

Sore throats accompany other viral infections such as measles, chicken pox, whooping cough, and croup. Canker sores and fever blisters in the throat also can be very painful.

One viral infection takes much longer than a week to be cured: infectious mononucleosis, or "mono." This virus lodges in the lymph system, causing massive enlargement of the tonsils, with white patches on their surface and swollen glands in the neck, armpits, and groin. It creates a severely sore throat and, sometimes, serious breathing difficulties. It can affect the liver, leading to jaundice— yellow skin and eyes. It also causes extreme fatigue that can last six weeks or more.

"Mono," a severe illness in teenagers but less severe in children, can he transmitted by saliva. So it has been nicknamed the "kissing disease," but it can also be transmitted from mouth-to-hand to hand-to-mouth or by sharing of towels and eating utensils.


Infections in the nose and sinuses also can cause sore throats, because mucus from the nose drains down into the throat and carries the infection with it.

The most dangerous throat infection is epiglottitis, caused by bacteria that infect a portion of the larynx (voice box) and cause swelling that closes the airway. This infection is an emergency condition that requires prompt medical attention. Suspect it when swallowing is extremely painful (causing drooling), when speech is muffled, and when breathing becomes difficult. A strep test may miss this infection.

Allergy: The same pollens and molds that irritate the nose when they are inhaled also may irritate the throat. Cat and dog danders and house dust are common causes of sore throats for people with allergies to them. Other throat irritants are tobacco smoke, alcoholic beverages, and spicy foods. People with chronic stuffy nose causing mouth breathing, also suffer from a dry and sore throat. Dry heat during cold winter months may also account for the dry and sore throat. Adequate humidification of the room helps and adequate fluid intake.


A person who strains his or her voice (yelling at a sports event, for example) gets a sore throat not only from muscle strain but also from the rough treatment of his or her throat membranes.

Reflux: An occasional cause of morning sore throat is regurgitation of stomach acids up into the back of the throat. To avoid reflux, tilt your bedframe so that the head is elevated four- to six-inches higher than the foot of the bed. You might find antacids helpful. You should also avoid eating within three hours of bedtime, and eliminate caffeine and alcohol. If these tips fail, see your doctor.

Tumors: Tumors of the throat, tongue, and larynx (voice box) are usually (but not always) associated with long-time use of tobacco and alcohol. Sore throat and difficulty swallowing, sometimes with pain radiating to the ear, may be symptoms of such a tumor. More often the sore throat is so mild or so chronic that it is hardly noticed. Other important symptoms include hoarseness, a lump in the neck, unexplained weight loss, and/or spitting up blood in the saliva or phlegm.


When Should I See a Doctor For A Sore Throat?

Whenever a sore throat is severe, persists longer than the usual five- to seven- day duration of a cold or flu, and is not associated with an avoidable allergy or irritation, you should seek medical attention.

The following signs and symptoms should alert you to see your physician:

Severe and prolonged sore throat
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Difficulty opening the mouth
Joint pain
Earache
Rash
Fever (over 101°)
Blood in saliva or phlegm
Frequently recurring sore throat
Lump in neck
Hoarseness lasting over two weeks

Answer 2

Sounds like he could be having an allergic reaction. Have him keep a journal of the foods and beverages he consumes. From personal experience, my sinuses will drain down my throat and make it red and very sore. It is difficult to eat or drink during these times. Warm tea or lemon juice is very soothing for me. Cold drinks only cause more discomfort. If your boyfriend is not satisfied with the answers he has gotten from his care providers, he should go somewhere else for a second opinion. Persistence will eventually pay off, as long as he keeps in mind that pain and swelling are not normal and in some cases could be symptoms of something very serious.

Answer 3

My family has had strep twice this year,just got shots yesterday.
Dont try to tough this one out, get tested right away!
If it is strep the longer you have it, the more it becomes hazardist to your health(scarlett fever)

Good luck & go now for that throat culture
Lots of us will be worrying so GO!

Answer 4

Can you go to an ear nose and throat doctor? Or if need to see a doctor quicker...an urgent care or ER? I don't know what it is, but sounds like it needs attending to by a doctor..

Answer 5

it could be either strep or tonsillitis (an abscess on one of your tonsils)....by friend had this recently and didn't know it until he ended up in the hospital when it got so bad he could barely swallow. If the pain continues to get bad and if you have a fever, go see a doctor right away.

Answer 6

Yes..get to the doc! Sounds like Strep and you need antibiotics. I know because I have been battling it for the past 4 weeks and am on my second round of antibiotics.

Answer 7

Sounds like you need to get in to see the doctor. Antibiotic useage is up to you. Please know the benefits, risks, and alternatives to antibiotic use.

See other posts re: antibiotics.

But you should see the doctor.

Answer 8

Hey Someone, Anyone or Anybody. See your doc.