Top Signs That Your Sore Throat Is Something More Serious

Everyone suffers from a sore throat from time to time. In many cases, it’s a result of spending too much time in a dusty or even dry environment. It can also be a result of wearing a mask for long periods or even swimming too much as chlorine disturbs the respiratory function of your body.

Equally, being around chemicals can give you a sore throat, as can the normal winter, (or even summer) cold. In short, there are plenty of opportunities to develop a sore throat and, in most cases, they are not a concern. But, you should still be aware of the top signs that your sore throat is something more serious.

This will allow you to see a doctor and get the right medical diagnosis. The good news is that most conditions can be successfully treated, as long as you have the right aid. For example, this oncologist offers stereotactic radiotherapy which is non-invasive and has been shown to improve lifespans.

Breathing Issues

If you’re struggling to breathe you need emergency medical treatment. There are many reasons why this could be the case. But, if it is accompanied by your sore throat then it’s possible you have a Peritonsillar abscess.

This is when an abscess develops near the tonsils, the main symptom is your throat feels sore. As the abscess grows it will block more of your airway, making it difficult for you to breathe. As well as a sore throat you’ll probably notice a swelling on the side of your throat.

Sore Throat Won’t Go Away

Perhaps the most obvious sign that your sore throat is something more serious is when it won’t go away. Sore throats accompany colds and should go at the same time as the cold. If they are a result of environmental stimuli then the sore throat should clear up in a few days.

As soon as you’ve had a sore throat for longer than 7-10 days you should make a doctor’s appointment and get it checked out.

Visible Lumps

A lump on the side of your neck or blisters in your mouth can be a sign of an abscess. But, there are other lumps which are telling you that you have something even more serious, such as throat cancer.

If you notice lumps around your neck or inside your mouth, you’ll want to get them checked out as soon as possible.

No Known Reason

Another sign that your sore throat is something more serious is when there is no reason for it. If you have a sore throat and no cold, or if you haven’t been around any unusual substances and allergens, but still have a sore throat, you may have something more serious wrong with you.

Of course, the only way to tell for certain is to visit a doctor and let them examine you while running the appropriate tests.

In most cases, the sore throat is nothing to be overly concerned about. But, there is no harm in getting it checked. As with most illnesses, the earlier it is caught the easier it is to treat.