Waking up with a sore throat can be an unpleasant start to the day. Sore throats can be caused by many different conditions. While waking up with a sore throat could simply be caused by snoring or dry air, it is also a common symptom caused by colds and infections like strep throat. Understanding common causes of a sore throat can help you know how to treat yourself and when to seek medical care for your symptoms.
If you’re struggling with a sore throat, AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook can help! We offer same-day care for common illness symptoms, including sore throats. Our team of board-certified medical providers will expertly diagnose the cause of your symptoms so you can effectively treat them and get on the road to recovery. Simply walk in when it’s convenient, or save your spot in advance below.
Common Causes of a Sore Throat
Sore throats occur due to irritation and inflammation in the airway. Illnesses are a common cause of a sore throat, but environmental irritants can also lead to a sore throat developing overnight. Sleeping in a dry environment can dry out your throat and lead to irritation first thing in the morning. Allergies can also lead to a sore throat. However, if you are experiencing a severe sore throat, or have additional illness symptoms like congestion, a cough, or a fever, you likely have an infection that is leading to your symptoms.
Tips for Managing a Sore Throat at Home
If you’re suffering from a sore throat, the first step to healing is identifying the underlying cause. However, in most cases, mild to moderate sore throats will go away on their own. While your body is healing, you can try these tips and tricks for managing discomfort caused by a sore throat:
Drink Warm Liquids: Drinking warm liquids will help gently soothe your throat while helping you stay hydrated to promote faster healing.
Medications: Medications like throat lozenges and throat numbing sprays are available over the counter and are great for relieving sore throats.
Identify the Underlying Cause: If you suddenly have a sore throat when you wake up, you need to know the underlying cause to treat it effectively. Conditions like allergies require a different course of treatment than a case of strep throat, so always be sure to seek medical care for proper diagnosis.
When to Seek Medical Care for a Sore Throat
Sore throats are a common symptom, and in many cases they will resolve on their own with time. However, if your sore throat is severe, just isn’t going away, or accompanied by severe symptoms like a fever or difficulty swallowing, you should seek medical care. There are some conditions which may require medical treatment to get rid of a sore throat, including bacterial infections like strep throat. Your medical provider will be able to diagnose the cause of your symptoms so that you can treat them effectively.
Walk Into AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch for Rapid Sore Throat Treatment
If you wake up with a sore throat, acting quickly can help prevent it from getting worse. While some cases of a sore throat go away on their own, others require medical treatment. Your medical provider will be able to evaluate your symptoms and swab your throat to check for bacterial infections, so that you can effectively treat the underlying cause of your symptoms.
At AFC Urgent Care West Long Branch, we offer same-day care for common symptoms including sore throats. Our clinic offers convenient strep throat testing services, all without having to schedule an appointment in advance. Just walk into the clinic when it’s convenient. We work with most medical insurance plans, and have affordable care for self-paying patients. To learn more, give the clinic a call at (732) 469-3627.
