ENT specialist Dr. Svyatlana Marnova explained that a sore throat may indicate chronic health issues. According to her, a sore throat can point to "gastroesophageal reflux, characterized by a dysfunction of the upper esophageal sphincter, leading to the expulsion of stomach contents into the esophagus and pharynx. This condition may be accompanied by heartburn, nausea, belching, and extrapharyngeal manifestations that can be mistaken for ENT diseases."
She added, "Only 40 percent of gastroesophageal reflux patients complain of heartburn. This means that patients are often unaware they have stomach issues. Consequently, patients typically report throat pain, persistent cough, the sensation of a mucus mass in the nasopharynx, changes in voice, difficulty swallowing, and even choking episodes, with rare instances of nasal breathing problems."
The specialist points out that "redness, swelling, and the formation of secretions on the mucous membrane indicate the reflux of stomach contents into the pharynx, known as granulomas, which cause throat inflammation in cases of reflux. Therefore, if these symptoms appear, it is essential to consult a doctor promptly, who will prescribe the appropriate treatment."
