Have you ever woken up with a sore or scratchy throat? You may feel panicked about the fact that you could be sick. Having a sore throat is a common symptom of many different infections including colds, the flu, and strep throat. However, sore throats can also be caused by other factors including dehydration. Keep reading to learn more about how dehydration can lead to a sore throat and tips for treating a sore throat.
If you’re feeling sick, seeking medical care can help you diagnose your symptoms and treat them more effectively. At AFC Urgent Care Grand Junction, our board-certified medical providers are trained to diagnose common symptoms such as sore throat and help provide the necessary treatment. Simply walk into the clinic, or plan your visit in advance by pre-registering online.
How Dehydration Leads to a Sore Throat
Sore throats can be a painful symptom. Although sore throats are commonly known as an early illness symptom or a symptom of strep throat, sore throats can occur due to a wide range of conditions. In some cases, dehydration can lead to a sore throat. Our throats can need to remain moist in order to properly function. Our bodies naturally do this, however, when you’re dehydrated your body may be unable to properly moisten your throat which can lead to inflammation and ultimately a sore throat. Our bodies require water in order to produce saliva. In the case of dehydration, your throat can dry out quickly.
When to Seek Medical Care for a Sore Throat
Sore throats can range in severity depending on the underlying cause of your symptoms. If your sore throat is accompanied by other symptoms, such as a runny nose, nasal congestion or a cough, you may be fighting off an illness. In some cases, sore throats can indicate infections such as strep throat which requires medical treatment. You should always seek medical treatment for your sore throat if it lasts more than a few days. If your sore throat is severe or is accompanied by swollen tonsils or a fever, you should seek medical care for treatment.
On the other hand, if your sore throat is mild and not worsening over time, it may be caused by dehydration. It is important to monitor your symptoms and seek medical treatment if your symptoms continue to worsen.
Sore Throat Diagnosis & Treatment in Grand Junction, CO
If you have a sore throat, it is important that you seek medical care if your symptoms persist for more than a few days. Having a sore throat could be an indication of something as simple as dehydration, but it could also be an indication of an illness. Based on your symptoms, your medical provider will be able to examine your throat for abnormalities and test for the presence of bacteria. In the case that your sore throat is caused by dehydration, your medical provider will review home remedies to ensure that you’re staying hydrated and can manage your symptoms until your throat heals. Most sore throats that are caused by dehydration heal within a few days without treatment.
Walk Into AFC Urgent Care Grand Junction for Same-Day Sore Throat Treatment
At AFC Urgent Care Grand Junction, we understand that illness symptoms can come out of nowhere. That is why we are open 7 days a week to provide patients in Grand Junction, CO, with same-day illness symptom treatment. We maintain short wait times so that you can get same-day care when it’s convenient for you. We accept most medical insurance plans and offer affordable care to patients without insurance. Simply walk into the clinic, or
pre-register online in advance.
