A sore throat often feels worse at night. While symptoms may be manageable during the day, they can become bothersome once evening arrives. Several factors contribute to this nocturnal worsening.
How Your Body Changes at Night
Several physiological changes occur during sleep that can influence a sore throat. Saliva production decreases, drying the mouth and throat. Less moisture means reduced lubrication and a diminished ability to wash away irritants.
Swallowing becomes less frequent during sleep. While awake, regular swallowing clears mucus, allergens, and irritants from the throat. Reduced swallowing at night allows these substances to accumulate, prolonging contact with sensitive throat tissues and increasing irritation.
Gravity plays a significant role when lying down, altering how fluids and secretions behave. When upright, gravity drains mucus from the nasal passages and throat into the stomach. In a supine position, mucus may pool in the back of the throat, leading to increased irritation and a more severe sore throat.
Environmental Factors at Play
The sleeping environment can contribute to a worse sore throat overnight. Dry air from heating or air conditioning dehydrates throat mucous membranes. This dryness exacerbates irritation by removing essential moisture and increasing discomfort.
The bedroom can harbor allergens that become more impactful during prolonged nighttime exposure. Dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores are common indoor allergens triggering inflammation. Spending hours in contact with these irritants while sleeping can increase throat irritation and congestion, worsening symptoms.
Common Conditions Exacerbated by Nighttime Factors
Underlying health conditions can interact with nighttime factors, leading to a more pronounced sore throat. Post-nasal drip, excess mucus draining from nasal passages down the throat, is a frequent culprit. This can be due to colds, flu, sinusitis, or allergies.
When lying down, gravity causes mucus to pool in the throat, leading to continuous irritation and inflammation. Accumulated mucus, potentially containing inflammatory substances or infectious agents, directly irritates pharyngeal tissues, making a sore throat feel more intense.
Acid reflux (GERD) is often exacerbated at night. Lying flat allows stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus and throat. This acidic irritation can cause a burning sensation and worsen a sore throat.
The immune response to infections, like a common cold, contributes to nocturnal throat discomfort. During infection, the immune system releases inflammatory mediators causing swelling and pain. While these processes occur throughout the day, lack of distractions at night can make pain more pronounced.