Pain on the left side of your throat when yawning is unsettling. While often temporary, this pain can stem from various issues involving the muscles, nerves, and tissues in the throat and jaw. Understanding causes helps address discomfort.
Common Explanations for the Pain
Muscle strain or spasm often causes throat pain when yawning. Yawning involves significant stretching of muscles in the pharynx, jaw, and neck. This stretching can cause soreness or sharp pain, especially if muscles are tense or fatigued.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues, connecting your jaw to your skull, can cause referred pain. The TMJ is active in chewing, speaking, and yawning. Its proximity to throat muscles means dysfunction can radiate pain. Inflammation or tension in the jaw can extend to neck and throat muscles, intensifying discomfort with wide mouth movements like yawning.
Throat lining irritation or inflammation can become more noticeable during a yawn. Dry throat from dehydration, allergies, or open-mouth sleeping makes tissues susceptible to irritation and pain when stretched. A mild sore throat from a viral infection, like a cold or flu, can cause inflammation exacerbated by air and saliva contacting sensitive areas during a yawn.
Acid reflux (GERD) irritates the esophageal lining, causing a sore or tight throat that worsens with movement. Stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus can cause persistent throat pain, a lump sensation, or tightness, aggravated by yawning. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck also contribute to pain. Nodes like the tonsils swell in response to infections (e.g., tonsillitis, mononucleosis), becoming tender and painful when the throat stretches.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Though many causes of throat pain during yawning are minor, some symptoms warrant medical evaluation. Consult a doctor if pain is severe, persistent, or worsens over several days. Difficulty swallowing or breathing with pain indicates a serious issue requiring immediate attention.
Fever, chills, or signs of infection (e.g., pus in throat, swollen tonsils) suggest a bacterial or viral infection needing specific treatment. A non-tender lump or swelling in the neck or throat also warrants a medical visit. Constant pain radiating to the ear or jaw, or pain with hoarseness or voice changes, are also indicators. If home care does not improve symptoms after a few days, a healthcare provider can determine the cause and action.
Relieving Discomfort at Home
Several home remedies can alleviate discomfort for common causes of throat pain when yawning. Staying hydrated with water and warm fluids like tea can soothe irritated throat tissues and keep mucous membranes moist. Gargling with warm salt water can also reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Warm compresses or cold packs on the neck or jaw may relieve muscle strain or TMJ discomfort. Over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen) can manage pain and reduce inflammation. Sucking on throat lozenges or using throat sprays can offer temporary relief by moistening and soothing the throat.
Gentle neck and jaw stretches may release muscle tension; perform them cautiously to avoid exacerbating pain. Also, avoid irritants like dry air, smoke, or very hot/cold foods if they worsen pain. If throat strain is suspected, resting vocal cords by limiting talking or shouting can aid recovery.