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Dealing with a sore throat after vomiting is one of the worst human experiences ever. Not only does your throat feel scratchy, but it also hurts when you swallow food. Why is it common after throwing up? What can you do to heal a sore throat and reduce the pain that comes with it?
We’ll answer all of these questions in this blog. First, let’s start by understanding the causes of throat pain that can occur after vomiting.
Why Does Your Throat Hurt After Vomiting?
Throat pain after vomiting is usually triggered by irritation caused by stomach acid and the force of vomiting. Let’s understand this in detail for better clarity:
Stomach Acid Irritation
Vomiting comprises strong gastric acids, which help in digestion. When these acids pass through the oesophagus and throat, they cause a burning effect on the delicate lining of the oesophagus, resulting in pain, a burning sensation, and a sore throat.
Physical Strain from Retching
The process of vomiting is not just about stomach contents coming up. It also requires strong and repeated contractions of the diaphragm, abdominal muscles and chest muscles. This forceful action puts pressure on the throat and oesophagus that’s not naturally designed to handle such intense strain.
Dehydration and Dryness
When you vomit, your body loses not only stomach contents but also a significant amount of electrolytes and fluids. This fluid loss can cause dehydration, especially if vomiting occurs repeatedly.
Small Tears or Inflammation
Frequent or forceful vomiting builds pressure in the oesophagus. This pressure results in inflammation or small tears in the lining of the stomach. In most cases, these tears heal on their own. However, they can still cause persistent pain, irritation or a sharp burning sensation when you swallow food.
Acid Reflux Trigger
Vomiting weakens the lower oesophageal sphincter (the muscle responsible for preventing stomach acid from flowing upward). This makes it easier for the acid to move back into the
oesophagus and throat, commonly known as acid reflux.
Fact: When acid reflux gets triggered after vomiting, it prolongs the burning sensation, throat irritation and soreness that sometimes lasts for hours or even days.
Now that we’ve covered the causes of throat pain, let’s know the immediate self-care protocol you can follow after vomiting to ensure quick relief and support faster healing.
Immediate 60-minute Self-Care Protocol After Vomiting
After vomiting, your throat gets irritated due to exposure to stomach acid. To ensure quick relief, here’s a step-by-step procedure that you can follow:
0 – 10 minutes: Rinse and Rest
- Do not brush immediately: Toothpaste can further irritate the throat and the softened enamel that has been exposed to stomach acid.
- Rinse your mouth with plain water, then with a mild saltwater solution.
10 – 20 minutes: Gentle Hydration
- Try herbal teas, such as ginger or chamomile tea, which can help calm both the throat and stomach.
- Sip small amounts of room-temperature water or ice chips. Avoid gulping, as it might trigger another episode of vomiting.
20 – 40 minutes: Soothe the Throat
- Try warm salt-water gargles to help with inflammation and mild relief
- You can also try honey, as it creates a protective coating over the throat lining
40 – 60 minutes: Recovery and Protection
- Choose a light and bland snack if you feel the urge to eat. However, avoid spicy, acidic and greasy foods.
- Avoid talking too much, as your vocal cords might get irritated.
Beyond the 60-minute self-care protocol, here are some remedies that can also prove effective-
Remedies for Healing a Sore Throat
Here are some effective remedies you can try to heal a sore throat
Take Over-the-Counter Medicines
If gargling and drinking herbal tea doesn’t work for you, try taking over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. They help provide relief from a sore throat and also reduce post-vomiting pain.
Cold or Warm Compress
When facing discomfort caused by throat inflammation, placing a warm towel or heating pad can help enhance the blood circulation in the region and relax the throat muscles. On the other hand, if you experience a burning sensation after vomiting, applying an ice pack can help numb the area and provide quick pain relief.
Getting Enough Sleep
Getting 8 hours of sleep helps you fight off the infection that causes a sore throat. It reduces the inflammation and boosts the immune system by producing cytokines (proteins responsible for fighting infections). Additionally, it promotes tissue repair overnight, accelerating recovery and alleviating throat discomfort.
How to Prevent Throat Pain Due to Vomiting?
While it’s not always possible to prevent vomiting-related throat pain, some lifestyle changes might help. These changes include:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Avoiding spicy foods
- Limiting or reducing alcohol consumption
- Avoid lying down just after eating
When to See a Doctor?
If you’ve already made some lifestyle changes and still experience these symptoms: chest pain, shortness of breath and blood in your vomit, it’s essential to seek medical help right away. You should also consult a doctor if your sore throat after vomiting persists for more than just a few days, becomes increasingly painful and comes with high fever, severe dehydration and difficulty swallowing.
Key Takeaways
Experiencing a sore throat after vomiting can be uncomfortable, but understanding the causes can help you take the proper steps to heal faster. The irritation caused by stomach acid, throat inflammation and physical strain can all contribute to throat pain. By following simple self-care practices, such as saltwater gargles and gentle hydration, you can reduce discomfort and promote healing.
Remember that, in most cases, the above-discussed 60-minute self-care protocol and remedies can be helpful. However, if the symptoms worsen, you must consult a healthcare provider.
Did you know that our family health insurance plans offer coverage for doctor’s consultations from four general physicians and four specialists? Yes, under the optional benefit Care OPD, we cover consultation expenses up to the defined limit. With this, let us take care of your medical expenses while you focus on your recovery.
Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Verifying the policy details and coverage with the official policy documents is essential when purchasing health insurance. Also, kindly consult a professional medical expert to confirm the details of your health concerns.
