Painful Swallowing
Odynophagia (Painful Swallowing) describes pain when you swallow. It’s a symptom of several health conditions, from colds and flus to acid reflux and, sometimes, certain cancers. Odynophagia treatment depends on the cause. Options include home remedies, medications and surgery.
What is odynophagia?
Odynophagia is another word for painful swallowing. It’s a symptom of several health conditions. With odynophagia, you might feel pain in your mouth, throat or esophagus. In some cases, it can cause a stabbing pain that radiates to your back or chest.
You might experience temporary odynophagia when you have a cold or sore throat. But odynophagia that doesn’t go away can be a sign of conditions like GERD, thrush or, in some cases, cancer.
Odynophagia isn’t the same as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). But the two symptoms may occur together. Some people with dysphagia and/or odynophagia also develop something called globus sensation (feeling like something’s stuck in your throat when there’s not).
Painful swallowing itself isn’t a cause for alarm. But if your symptoms linger for more than a couple of weeks, you should see a healthcare provider.
What are the most common causes of odynophagia?
In many cases, odynophagia is a result of common ailments like:
In other instances, underlying conditions cause painful swallowing, including:
- Crohn’s disease.
- Esophagitis (an inflamed food pipe).
- Gastric ulcers.
- GERD/acid reflux.
- Herpes simplex (HSV-1).
- Mononucleosis.
- Strep throat.
- Thrush.
- Some head and neck cancers.
You’re also more likely to develop odynophagia if you have a weakened immune system.
Sudden odynophagia can happen if a pill gets stuck in your throat and stays there. To prevent this, chase the pill with a full glass of water. Eating something — even a small bite — can help the medicine go down. (Don’t do this if you’re choking. Instead, do the Heimlich maneuver on yourself or find someone to assist you. If you can partially breathe, take a breath and cough forcefully to free the pill.)
Odynophagia can be so uncomfortable that some people eat less and hydrate less than they should. This can lead to:
- Dehydration.
- Iron-deficiency anemia.
- Malnutrition.
Without treating the underlying condition, odynophagia can worsen. Cold- and flu-related odynophagia usually gets better on its own. You should be on the mend in a week or so.
In the rare instances when cancer causes odynophagia, cancer cells can spread to surrounding tissues or other areas of your body. If you still have pain when swallowing after other symptoms have disappeared, there may be something else going on. The best rule of thumb is to tell your healthcare provider if odynophagia hasn’t gone away after two weeks.
How is odynophagia treated?
Treatment for painful swallowing depends on the cause. Healthcare providers use an endoscopy to test for odynophagia. Depending on the results, they may recommend medications or surgery.
Medications
Several different medications can ease pain when swallowing. Depending on what caused your symptoms, your healthcare provider may prescribe:
- Antibiotics.
- Antifungals.
- H2 blockers.
- Proton-pump inhibitors.
- Throat sprays.
Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you what type of medication to take and how. Let them know if you have any questions. They’re here to help.
Surgery
Less commonly, you might need surgery to ease chronic odynophagia. The type of procedure you’ll need will depend on the underlying condition. Surgery is most common in people with cancer. But your provider may also recommend it if you have acid reflux that doesn’t improve with medication.
What can I do at home to treat odynophagia?
In many cases, odynophagia goes away on its own. But in the meantime, these home remedies can help ease your symptoms:
- Drink warm liquids like tea or broth.
- Gargle with warm saltwater.
- Get lots of rest.
- Suck on throat lozenges.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
- Use a humidifier.
Can odynophagia be prevented?
You can’t always prevent odynophagia because you sometimes can’t prevent what causes it. But you can take these general steps to protect yourself and reduce your risk for infections:
- Avoid being around people with contagious illnesses.
- Disinfect household surfaces regularly.
- Avoid touching your eyes and mouth.
- Find ways to manage stress, like meditation or other forms of mindfulness.
- Stay up to date on flu shots and other vaccines.
- Wash your hands frequently.
When should odynophagia be treated by a healthcare provider?
You should tell your healthcare provider if odynophagia lasts longer than two weeks. Let them know if you develop additional symptoms like:
- Breathing issues.
- Dehydration.
- Difficulty eating.
- Regurgitation (when food from your stomach rises back up into your throat or mouth).
- Unexplained weight loss.
Your healthcare provider can treat these issues right away and reduce your risk of further complications.
References
- American Cancer Society. Swallowing Problems (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/eating-problems/swallowing-problems.html). Last revised 6/26/2024. Accessed 8/22/2024.
- Liu EJ, Wang CY, Liu YY. Adolescent with painful swallowing (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38649250/). Emerg Med J. 2024 Apr 22;41(5):331-339. Accessed 8/22/2024.
- MSD Manual, Professional Version. Overview of Esophageal and Swallowing Disorders (https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/esophageal-and-swallowing-disorders/overview-of-esophageal-and-swallowing-disorders). Last reviewed 2/2024. Accessed 8/22/2024.
- Wu HY, Chong WS, Chang CJ. Man with odynophagia (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38135448/). Emerg Med J. 2023 Dec 22;41(1):59-66. Accessed 8/22/2024.
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