A sore throat is a common side effect after an endoscopy, a medical procedure that uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera to examine the upper digestive tract. The discomfort arises from the endoscope passing through the throat, causing minor irritation to the tissues.
Immediate Comfort Measures
Immediately after an endoscopy, several actions can soothe throat soreness. Resting your voice, avoiding loud speaking or straining vocal cords, helps prevent further irritation and promotes healing. Allowing ice chips to melt slowly in the mouth provides a numbing and cooling sensation.
Sucking on non-medicated, sugar-free throat lozenges or hard candies also offers relief. These stimulate saliva production, keeping the throat moist and reducing scratchiness. Gargling with warm salt water, made by mixing about half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, helps reduce inflammation and supports healing.
Dietary and Hydration Strategies
Specific foods and drinks can aid throat recovery, while others should be avoided to prevent further irritation. Soft, bland, and cool or lukewarm foods are recommended. Options like yogurt, mashed potatoes, applesauce, and smoothies are easy to swallow and gentle on the irritated throat.
Staying well-hydrated is important; drinking plenty of water or clear broths keeps the throat moist and facilitates healing. Conversely, avoid hot, spicy, acidic, crunchy, or hard foods, as these can exacerbate throat pain. Alcohol and caffeinated beverages should also be avoided, as they can lead to dehydration and further irritation of the digestive tract.
Over-the-Counter Relief
Over-the-counter pain relievers can manage throat discomfort following an endoscopy. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common choices for soreness relief. Always follow the dosage instructions provided on the packaging to ensure safe use.
If uncertain about appropriate medication, especially when taking other prescriptions, consult a doctor. Some throat sprays also contain pain-relieving ingredients that offer localized numbing and comfort.
When to Contact Your Doctor
While a sore throat is a common side effect, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. Severe or worsening throat pain unresponsive to home remedies may indicate a serious issue. Difficulty breathing or swallowing, beyond mild discomfort, also requires contacting your healthcare provider.
Other warning signs include persistent nausea or vomiting, especially if vomit contains blood or resembles coffee grounds. A fever, chest pain, or any signs of bleeding such as black or bloody stools, or persistent blood in saliva, also indicate seeking prompt professional medical advice. These symptoms are uncommon after an endoscopy and require prompt evaluation.