Dry Throat? Here's What Your Body's Trying to Tell You

A dry throat isn't exactly a medical emergency. But that parched, chalky feeling can sure be uncomfortable. And when it's happening often, it can get annoying fast.

Dry throats can feel distinct from sore throats, since it's possible to have dryness without symptoms like coughing or scratchiness. But the two symptoms can also overlap. "Dry throat and sore throat often go together in many disease processes," says Peter Ashman, MD, an otolaryngologist with ENT and Allergy Associations in New York.

That being said, a dry throat doesn't always mean that you're sick. In fact, the top cause of a dry throat often has nothing to do with infection or illness. Here's a look at the factors often at play and what you can do to find relief.

Falling short on fluid intake is the most common culprit of a dry mouth or dry throat, Dr. Ashman says. Being dehydrated can reduce the amount of saliva produced in the mouth, which can make your throat or mouth feel dry. You might also feel very thirsty, have darker-colored urine or feel sluggish.

A blocked up nose can give you a dry, sore throat, even if you aren't coughing. "Breathing through your nose humidifies the air that enters your nose and lungs," Dr. Ashman explains. "If your nose is stuffy, you may breathe through your mouth which can dry your throat."

Congestion can be caused by a cold or another infection (like the flu, a sinus infection or COVID-19), or from problems related to your nasal passages like a deviated septum. The right treatment depends on your individual diagnosis (and in the case of a viral infection, you may just need to wait it out).

If stuffiness forces you to breathe through your nose while you're sleeping, you might wake up with a dry throat at night or in the morning, Dr. Ashman says. Undermanaged sleep disorders like sleep apnea can also cause mouth breathing while you sleep, along with symptoms like loud snoring, feeling tired when you wake up or waking up with a headache, per the Mayo Clinic.

Environmental allergies to things like pollen, dust, mold or ragweed are notorious for causing nasal congestion. That, too, can force you to breathe through your mouth and make your throat dry, Dr. Ashman says.

Chronic acid reflux or GERD can irritate your throat, which can lead to dryness.

"The throat being exposed to acid can result in significant inflammation of the throat lining. This inflammation can dry out your throat and can also result in burning pain," says Dr. Ashman.

Many drugs can decrease saliva production, which can leave you with a dry, chalky mouth and throat. According to the University of Southern California Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, some of the most common culprits include:

• Antidepressants
• Migraine medications
• High blood pressure medications
• Decongestants
• Bronchodilators
• Muscle relaxants
• Opioid pain relievers
• Antibiotics
• Proton pump inhibitors

The tonsils are the lymph nodes in the back of your throat and mouth — and when they get infected (from a virus or bacteria) they can cause your throat to become sore, scratchy or inflamed, according to the Mayo Clinic. You might also notice that your tonsils look red or swollen — or, you may have a fever, trouble swallowing, bad breath, a headache or neck pain.

When a dry throat strikes and you need immediate relief, there are a few remedies that can help:

• ‌Drinking water:‌ Sometimes this is enough to hydrate your throat tissues, says Dr. Ashman says.
• ‌Saltwater rinse:‌ If your throat is dry and irritated, try gargling with a saltwater rinse, which can reduce inflammation. "Try mixing 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of table salt to 8 ounces of water," he recommends. Sucking on a lozenge or hard candy can also be helpful.
• ‌Adding humidity to the air:‌ Using a humidifier to add more moisture to your indoor air can be helpful too, especially if your throat tends to get dry at night. These picks are among the best of the bunch. If you'd rather avoid buying a new appliance, these DIY humidifying hacks can help.

Keep in mind, though, that stopping throat dryness starts with figuring out the root cause, Dr. Ashman says. If you're often end up dehydrated, drinking more water should do the trick, for instance. If it seems like your dry throat is related to congestion from cold, take steps to reduce your exposure to germs. Think a condition like allergies, acid reflux or sleep apnea might be to blame? See your doctor to discuss how you can manage the problem.

A dry throat without any other symptoms is most likely from dehydration and isn't cause from concern. But you should contact your provider if you're experiencing a dry throat along with sore throat, fever, trouble swallowing, blood in your saliva, snoring or shortness of breath, Dr. Ashman recommends. These could be signs of an infection or illness that require treatment.