Difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia, can be due to many factors. When we feel that we cannot swallow saliva normally, it is a sign that something is happening in our throat or the surrounding areas. However, most conditions are not very serious. Although it is usually due to throat conditions, it can also be motivated by mental problems such as anxiety. In the event of any similar symptoms, for example, if you notice that the throat closes, go immediately to the doctor. In this FastlyHealarticle, we will tell you why it is difficult to swallow saliva, explain the causes that can favor this situation, and how to solve them.
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Difficulty swallowing saliva due to irritation
One of the causes that can make it difficult for you to swallow saliva is a sore throat. This irritation can be due to several factors, although the ones that usually stand out are mostly:
- Environmental factors such as pollution or working with irritating products.
- Snuff smoke.
- Force your voice a lot or use it constantly at work, as with teachers.
- Temperature changes, for example, when we frequently change from heat to cold from the air conditioning in summer.
All of these causes can cause your throat to become red and irritated, and sometimes there is even inflammation that causes a sore throat, discomfort, and difficulty swallowing saliva.
It is essential to follow some guidelines to avoid exposure to factors that irritate the throat to solve it. In this sense, it is necessary:
- Avoid straining your voice.
- Drink water constantly.
- Prevent the air conditioning from hitting us directly.
- Regulate the temperature.
- Don’t smoke and avoid passive exposure to tobacco smoke.
- Always try to breathe through your nose; breathing through your mouth can cause the entry of bacteria and external agents that are harmful to the body.
- Help boost your immune system with vitamins.
- Deodorants and air fresheners can also irritate the throat and limit their use.
The following FastlyHealarticle explains the best tricks to cure a sore throat.
I can’t swallow saliva, and I’m choking: allergy symptom.
When some external agent causes an allergic reaction, one of its common manifestations, especially if it is a food or a drug, is a narrowing of the throat. What occurs is what is known as allergic esophagitis, which causes the esophagus to swell and narrow when the body reacts to allergens.
Antihistamines are administered, but it is customary to be by injection since they cannot be taken orally. There will be the allergen that has caused this esophagitis to avoid on future occasions.
Next, we explain what the best home remedies for esophagitis are.
Discomfort when swallowing saliva from infection
A throat infection can be caused by viruses or bacteria, which mainly cause a sore throat but can also cause difficulty swallowing saliva, causing inflammation and redness, and, sometimes, pus may appear.
The most common is that it is of viral origin due to a viral contagion. It usually causes illnesses such as the flu, colds, or mononucleosis.
However, bacterial infections are more severe and must be treated as soon as possible. Streptococcal diseases causing pharyngitis, Hemophilus, or mycoplasma are common.
The treatment of these infections will depend on the cause that caused them. In the case of viral, there is no specific treatment to treat them, so drugs are used to relieve symptoms. The same does not happen with bacterial ones, usually treated with antibiotics.
Difficulty swallowing saliva due to anxiety
One of the symptoms of anxiety is the feeling of not being able to breathe or that our throat is narrowing and we cannot swallow saliva. It is like a lump in the throat that does not allow you to eat normally.
Anxiety occurs when stress levels are too high. In many cases, they are exaggerated concerns of everyday problems that affect more than usual. You may not feel that you have anxiety but that, nevertheless, on certain occasions, you have:
- Difficulty breathing. Tachycardias.
- Difficulty in swallowing.
These are mild symptoms that we usually ignore and just let go of. However, they have a well-founded cause that needs to be treated. It is not easy to diagnose anxiety since we often do not give importance to the signals or think that they are specific moments. However, this problem must be kept in mind, and seek help as soon as possible.
Discomfort when swallowing saliva as if it had something: stenosis of the larynx
Tracheal or laryngeal stenosis is a narrowing of these areas. It can be a congenital or acquired condition, although rare. It occurs due to the loss of soft tissue and cartilage support, which causes narrowing of the larynx.
When it is not congenital, it can be due to prolonged intubation causing lesions in the glottis and subglottis. But it can also be due to:
- A foreign body in the larynx.
- An inflammation.
- An infection.
- A chemical irritation.
The most prominent symptoms of this disease include coughing and shortness of breath, dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing saliva. This problem is usually treated by surgery, although there are other techniques such as tracheal resection and its reconstruction or dilation of the trachea.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why is it hard for me to swallow saliva , we recommend that you enter our Ear, Nose and Throat category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.