Potential Causes for a Sore Throat in the Morning and How to Prevent It
A sore throat in the morning may be a sign of an impending cold or similar illness, but if it happens frequently, it could have a different cause. Those who have a sore throat in the morning may want to consider their nighttime routines, where they sleep, and how they sleep, to see if that could be causing issues. Use the following information to find the cause of the sore throat and learn how to prevent it in the future.
Dry Air or Breathing Through Your Mouth at Night
One of the reasons why your throat hurts in the morning could be due to breathing in dry air at night. If the air in the home is very dry or you breathe through your mouth at night, it could cause irritation in your throat that leads to a sore throat in the morning.
Post-Nasal Drip Builds Up
If you’re sick or suffering from allergies, post-nasal drip can end up building up at night and causing a sore throat when you get up in the morning. This should go away once you’re feeling better and no longer suffering from cold or allergy symptoms, but in the meantime, sleeping in a slightly elevated position can help.
Acid Reflux While Sleeping
Acid reflux can occur while you’re sleeping, especially if you eat right before bed. This can end up causing irritation in the esophagus, which could lead to a sore throat when you wake up in the morning.
Snoring or Sleep Apnea
Snoring or sleep apnea can both cause a sore throat in the morning. A sleep study can be helpful to determine if a person snores a lot while they’re sleeping or if they suffer from sleep apnea.
Allergies in the Bedroom
For those who have allergies, it could be something in the bedroom that’s causing allergy symptoms at night. This leads to a sore throat in the morning and may continue happening until the issue is corrected.
How to Prevent a Sore Throat
There are a few ways to prevent a sore throat in the morning, depending on why it’s happening. A few different things that you can try include the following.
- Stay Hydrated During the Day – Proper hydration during the day can help combat dry air or breathing through the mouth at night.
- Reduce Allergens in the Bedroom – Taking steps to remove allergens from the bedroom can help provide allergy relief and prevent a sore throat.
- Elevate Your Head at Night – Those who have issues with post-nasal drip at night or acid reflux may want to sleep in a slightly elevated position.
- Limit Late-Night Snacks – Late-night snacks, especially if they’re greasy or spicy, can cause issues while sleeping, so it’s best to avoid eating for at least an hour before going to sleep.
If you tend to have a sore throat when you wake up in the morning, it may be due to one of the reasons listed here. There are a few things you can try to get relief and prevent a sore throat in the future. If the sore throat gets worse or you’re unable to find relief, it may be a good idea to speak with a doctor to rule out more serious medical issues. Start with the list here and see if it helps.
