Suggest Treatment For Burning Sensation On The Back Of Throat

Posted on Wed, 17 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 Answered on

Mon, 6 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : have burning sensation of the back of my throat. I can feel the heat through my ears too. no difficulty in swallowing, except that one day I woke up with a tight throat.

I have not taken the protonics because pharmacy was closed by the time I got to it.

Answered by Dr. Naveen (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Try yogurt for soothing the throat...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query

Burning sensation in the throat could be due to either nasal block or acid reflux.

During nasal block one tends to open the mouth and breathe, this drains away all the moisture from the throat making it irritable.

Similarly, when there is reflux of acid from the stomach into the throat, the acid burns the mucosa of the throat leading to inflammation. The inflamed mucosa causes irritation and burning sensation in the throat.

My suggestions to you are:
1. Drink plenty of warm water, this re hydrates the tissues and reduces the irritation.
2. Steam inhalation if you are having nasal block.
3. If you think it could be related to acid reflux and not able to get medicines, you can try taking yoghurt or butter milk, which is more soothing. Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole reduces the acid secretion in the stomach and thus the irritation. You should take this medication 30 minutes before breakfast.This is over the counter medication.
4. Avoid chilled food and beverages/coffee/smoking if any.

Hope this answers your query; I will be available for the follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Naveen (7 hours later)

What are the foods I must avoid? Which foods cause GERD? I am 30 pounds overweight and love to eat spicy foods which have tomatoes.

What would be a good diet you recommend? I am also starting an exercise routine. I walk on my treadmill for one hour.

Also, thank you for your thorough response. I am going to the pharmacy first thing this morning to get my prescription for protonics.

Answered by Dr. Naveen (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please follow the below mentioned diet...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

1. Drink plenty of water
2. Every day, try to have food at the same time. Don't skip your meals.
3. Avoid coffee/tea/spicy foods/fizzy drinks/chilled food & beverages/alcohol/smoking/stress.
4. Spicy foods and tomatoes will worsen your acidity, better to avoid it.
5. Exercises are good for the body, it increases the tone of the muscles of diaphragm and thus prevents reflux.

I wish you good luck and good health.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T