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Smoking, Drinking, Sore Throat, Graves Disease. Taking Nexium And Ativan. Diagnosed With Sarcoid. Is The Throat Sensitive?
Question: 44 year old male, smoker 23 years, drinker. Since 16 months sore throat left side near thyroid area. Graves disease at 22 years old, on synthroid since, post I 131. nexium for acid reflux, quit smoking for three months, reduced caffeine and alcohol to zero. started feeling well and started smoking and drinking, discomfort in left sinus area, left throat, and left ear radiating to left temple came back as soon as I started back. 13 months ago had throat scoped and was told nothing seen except phlegm. was told i had probably had muscular problems. diagnosed with sarcoid years ago, apparently in remission now. On ativan for years, now on valium to get off ativan. Pain subsides with valium and advil sinus. several rounds of antibiotics gave relief until stopping them. Do I have possibly a sensitive throat to irritants, or sarcoid of the throat? I need help because my doctor seems to not take my condition seriously.
Hi,
Thanks for the query.
You have multiple problems but the target is one, which is your throat.
Sinus infection, acid reflux, smoking, medicine such as advil sinus and ativan has added to your problem.
Due to sinus infection there is phlegm coming in the throat (post nasal drip) which will irritate the mucosa and cause throat discomfort. Similarly, the smoking will also damage the already inflamed mucosa, adding fuel to the fire and worsening of the throat symptoms.
Acid reflux from the stomach into the throat will cause inflammation of the throat and hence swelling. Further, post nasal discharge and smoking added together to this problem will worsen your symptoms.
Advil Cold & Sinus being a strong decongestant to open your airways and relieve the pain caused due to sinus pressure will also cause dryness of the throat and the nasal mucosa. Dryness of the mucosa combined with the above factors; prevent healing of the damaged mucosa and thus causing more discomfort.
Do not worry! This is a very simple problem, you need to follow my advice and you will definitely be alright. I would suggest you, to drink plenty of warm water, do steam inhalation 3-4 times/day, use saline nasal spray and avoid advil cold and sinus tablets. Continue nexium, for few more days till you recover completely. Finally, discuss with your doctor regarding use of advil along with ativan or valium as there will be inter drug reaction prolonging the effects of the latter drugs.
Hope I have answered your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Thanks for the query.
You have multiple problems but the target is one, which is your throat.
Sinus infection, acid reflux, smoking, medicine such as advil sinus and ativan has added to your problem.
Due to sinus infection there is phlegm coming in the throat (post nasal drip) which will irritate the mucosa and cause throat discomfort. Similarly, the smoking will also damage the already inflamed mucosa, adding fuel to the fire and worsening of the throat symptoms.
Acid reflux from the stomach into the throat will cause inflammation of the throat and hence swelling. Further, post nasal discharge and smoking added together to this problem will worsen your symptoms.
Advil Cold & Sinus being a strong decongestant to open your airways and relieve the pain caused due to sinus pressure will also cause dryness of the throat and the nasal mucosa. Dryness of the mucosa combined with the above factors; prevent healing of the damaged mucosa and thus causing more discomfort.
Do not worry! This is a very simple problem, you need to follow my advice and you will definitely be alright. I would suggest you, to drink plenty of warm water, do steam inhalation 3-4 times/day, use saline nasal spray and avoid advil cold and sinus tablets. Continue nexium, for few more days till you recover completely. Finally, discuss with your doctor regarding use of advil along with ativan or valium as there will be inter drug reaction prolonging the effects of the latter drugs.
Hope I have answered your query; I will be available for the follow-up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Answered by
Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2540 Questions
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