Why does my Throat Hurt When I Wake up

We all want to wake up feeling happier than we did the night before. We all want to wake up feeling refreshed, clear-minded, and full of energy for the next day. Okay, so “brimming full of energy” might sound a little too strong. However, waking up with a sore throat can be a frustrating way to start the day. It could also indicate that you have nighttime problems.

Nighttime routines can be simplified

Bruce Stewart, MD, an otolaryngologist from Banner Health in Tucson, AZ gave us his insights into why your throat feels sore or tired when you wake up. Dr. Stewart said that there are many reasons you may be experiencing a sore throat when you wake up. You might start by asking yourself some questions.

• Are you moving to a new climate or home recently?
• Are you waking up with a sore throat all year?
• Do you have any other symptoms?
• Have you noticed your partner snoring?

Finding the cause

These and other questions may help you solve the mystery of what happens when you close your eyes. These are questions you should be prepared to answer when you visit your primary physician to discuss your symptoms. These are some possible causes of your discomfort during daybreak.

• Sleep apnea, snoring, or similar (To help you determine your risk of sleep apnea), fill out our Sleep Apnea Profiler.
• Allergies/congestion
• It is not the ideal position for a good night’s sleep
• Temporary illness such as a cold, or viral infection
• Extreme nighttime conditions like heat without AC
• Allergy to laundry detergent or bedding
• Insufficient water intake
• GERD (gastroesophageal acid reflux disease) and other gastrointestinal illnesses
• Smoking

These conditions may not be the root cause of your problem, but they can help you identify it. Poor sleeping habits could cause you to have difficulty breathing at night. Your poor sleeping position could indicate an unsupportive mattress. Snoring could also be the reason for your sore throat. Snoring is often an indicator of other conditions, such as obesity and narrowing of the airway.

Dr. Stewart identified snoring and allergies as the main causes of sore throats. Are you a recent owner of a new plant? Have you tried a new laundry detergent recently? Have you had too many hot links for dinner.

Home remedies

You may be able to try some home remedies if your symptoms are not yet severe. Dr. Stewart shared some tips for pampering your airways tonight.

• You can use bedside humidifiers to reduce snoring or congestion.
• You can also try antihistamines to reduce the allergic reactions.
• Over-the-counter antacids like Nexium and Prilosec may be helpful if you have GERD. A few pillows can be used to elevate your head. You can also elevate the head of your bed by placing books underneath two bedposts.

How to deal with a sore throat

These home remedies can be sufficient to relieve your sore throat symptoms. If your sore throat continues to bother you, it may be time to see your doctor.

These similar articles, written with the help of Banner Health experts and doctors, provide more information about how your sleep habits affect your overall health.