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Causes of waking up with a Dry Throat at Night:- Getting out of bed and heading to the kitchen to get a drink of water, or keeping a glass of water nearby while you sleep, is not ideal. Dealing with a dry throat on a daily or nightly basis is not something you should have to endure. So what exactly causes a dry throat? Can it lead to more serious issues? Does dry throat contribute to snoring? And how can you address this problem? Let's examine the evidence. Experiencing a dry throat at night is a common occurrence. You may also wake up with a dry throat in the morning. Regardless of when it happens, if you frequently have a dry throat, it's important to get it diagnosed and treated.
Aside from a dry and sore throat, there are other signs and symptoms that may indicate your overall health is being affected. These include mouth breathing, snoring, difficulty chewing or swallowing, obstructed breathing, and fragmented sleep. There are several common reasons for a dry throat. One of the main culprits is mouth breathing. Breathing through your nose is the natural way to go, as it helps prevent the soft tissues from drying out too quickly. When we breathe through our mouths, it tends to dry us out more rapidly. Mouth breathing at night often leads to snoring, and this can potentially cause sleep apnea, which in turn may result in a dry throat.
Another factor that can contribute to a dry throat is allergies. If you have seasonal allergies, your immune system releases a chemical called histamine during an allergic reaction, and this can lead to a dry throat. Certain medications can also cause an unnatural dryness in the throat. Some anticholinergic medications, antidepressants, and sleeping pills contain diphenhydramine, which can result in dryness.
Tonsillitis is often transmitted through a person's bodily fluids and can lead to a dry, scratchy throat. A study conducted in 2006 found that "dry mouth" is a significant symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The prevalence of dry mouth upon waking was twice as high in OSA patients compared to those without OSA. Additionally, the likelihood of experiencing a dry throat due to sleep apnea increased depending on the severity of the condition. To address this issue, it is recommended to avoid sugar, alcohol, and caffeine, stay hydrated throughout the day, and monitor your sleep patterns using the anti-snoring app Goodsomnia Lab. If you have OSA, ensuring proper airflow through your nose by using a CPAP machine can be beneficial.
