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Throat ulcers often feel like lumps and can cause pain while swallowing. Although uncomfortable, they are treatable! These ulcers may develop due to injury, bacterial infections, fungi, viruses, or as a result of cancer treatment. It’s crucial to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause and to determine the appropriate treatment. After the examination, the doctor may prescribe medication to treat the ulcers and alleviate pain. Treatment methods will vary depending on the root cause of the ulcers.
Steps
Manage and Treat Throat Ulcers
Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Choose anti-inflammatory medications such as acetaminophen. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and inform your doctor that you are taking these medications to prevent potential drug interactions.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease the discomfort caused by ulcers in the early stages.
Gargle with warm saltwater. To soothe your throat and alleviate pain, mix 1 teaspoon (6 g) of baking soda with 1 teaspoon (5 g) of salt and 4 cups (1 liter) of warm water. Gargle the solution for at least 30 seconds, then spit it out.
- You can gargle with saltwater as often as you like. For severe ulcers, you may gargle every 1-2 hours.
Switch to a soft, smooth diet. This helps prevent further irritation and worsening of the ulcer. Instead of eating crunchy foods that may scratch your throat or spicy foods that could irritate, opt for soft, easy-to-swallow foods like soups, milkshakes, smoothies, or eggs.
- If the ulcer makes you sensitive to heat, choose warm or cold food instead of hot ones.
Avoid hot drinks. Hot beverages can irritate the ulcer and intensify the pain. Hot drinks can also prolong the healing process as they may worsen the ulcer. Instead, opt for warm drinks to help soothe the ulcer.
- For instance, you can start your morning with a warm cup of tea instead of coffee.
Steer clear of caffeine and irritating foods. Unfortunately, caffeine, chocolate, mint, citrus, and spicy foods can aggravate throat ulcers. Luckily, you can easily avoid them by cutting out these foods until the ulcer heals. Wait until the ulcer is completely healed before reintroducing these foods, as they may worsen the ulcer.
Brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day. If throat ulcers cause bad breath, or if the ulcers are caused by fungal or bacterial infections, you should spend extra time brushing your teeth. Remember to scrape your tongue to remove bacteria stuck between taste buds.
- You can brush more than twice a day if you're concerned about bad breath.
Avoid smoking and alcohol-based drinks. To reduce inflammation and irritation in the throat, it's important to cut down on or quit smoking and chewing tobacco. Alcohol is also a known irritant to sensitive throats.
- If quitting smoking is difficult, consider temporarily stopping until the ulcers heal.
Identify the symptoms of throat ulcers. Since throat ulcers can arise from various causes, you may experience different symptoms. If you have an ulcer or other illness symptoms, you might feel a lump in your throat or have the urge to cough. You may also experience the following:
- A wound or sores on the soft or hard palate
- Sore throat
- Pain when eating or drinking
- Fever and chills
- Joint pain
- Difficulty swallowing or eating
- Heartburn or chest discomfort
- Bad breath
- Nausea or vomiting
Visit a doctor. If you believe you have a throat ulcer and it hasn’t improved after 1-2 days, contact your doctor. The doctor will examine the ulcer and may take a throat swab for bacterial testing, along with blood or urine tests. They may also recommend imaging tests to diagnose the ulcers.
- Medical attention is vital, as throat ulcers may be caused by an underlying condition that requires treatment.
Talk to your doctor about the possible causes of your ulcer. Share your medical history with your doctor so they can make an accurate diagnosis. A precise diagnosis allows the doctor to recommend effective treatments. Possible causes for throat ulcers include:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Injuries
- Ingestion of corrosive substances
- Excessive vomiting
- Cancer treatments like chemotherapy
- Bacterial infections
- Fungal infections, such as oral thrush
- Viral infections
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
- HIV
- Inflammatory diseases
- Frequent coughing or overuse of the voice
Take the medications prescribed by your doctor. The treatment will depend on the cause of the ulcer. For example, if the ulcer is caused by a viral infection, your doctor will prescribe antiviral medication. For bacterial or fungal infections, antibiotics or antifungal drugs may be prescribed.
- If your throat ulcer is due to cancer treatment, your doctor might suggest dietary changes and guide you on oral care. You may need to brush your teeth and tongue 3-4 times a day and avoid spicy foods.
Use a pain-relieving mouthwash. Consult your doctor about prescription mouthwashes containing local anesthetics like lidocaine. This product can numb your throat and provide temporary pain relief. Some prescription mouthwashes can also reduce inflammation, helping the ulcers heal faster.
- Be sure to follow the usage instructions, as some mouthwashes should be swished and swallowed.
Identifying and treating esophageal ulcers
Look for signs of esophageal ulcers. Pay attention to pain when swallowing or discomfort near the chest. In addition to heartburn, other signs of esophageal ulcers include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
- Vomiting blood
Get tested to diagnose esophageal ulcers. Contact your doctor if you notice signs of an esophageal ulcer. Your doctor will conduct a clinical examination and run tests to inspect the inside of your esophagus. Blood tests may also be necessary to check for an esophageal infection.
- To inspect the inside of the esophagus, your doctor may recommend an X-ray or endoscopy. During an endoscopy, a small camera-equipped tube will be passed down the esophagus to observe the ulcers.
Take antacid or anti-infection medication for the ulcer's underlying cause. If the esophageal ulcer is due to an infection, you will need to take antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. For ulcers caused by acid reflux, discuss with your doctor how to manage stomach acid production. Your doctor may suggest using:
- Proton pump inhibitors
- Antacids
- H-2 receptor antagonists
Visit the doctor for a follow-up appointment after a few weeks. The medication may take several weeks to effectively treat the underlying cause of the esophageal ulcer. You will need to see your doctor again after a few weeks or months to ensure that the ulcer has healed.
- The doctor may perform another endoscopy to check the ulcer's location.
Avoid alcohol and smoking. Alcohol and tobacco can cause inflammation and irritation of the esophageal ulcer during recovery. If you don't want to quit smoking entirely, it's recommended to stop until the ulcer heals completely.
- Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages can slow down the healing process.
Keep a food diary to avoid foods that trigger acid reflux. If the esophageal ulcer is caused by excess stomach acid, you need to be mindful of foods that cause heartburn or nausea. Try to limit the following foods to prevent the formation of new ulcers or to avoid worsening the existing one:
- Spicy foods
- Fried foods
- Caffeine
- Tomatoes, onions, and garlic
- Citrus fruits
- Mint
Adjust your eating habits to prevent acid reflux. Follow a balanced diet with whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables during recovery. To avoid acid reflux from causing additional ulcers, you should eat slowly and avoid lying down for at least three hours after eating.
- You may find that eating smaller meals throughout the day is more comfortable than having three large meals.
