美国克利夫兰诊所:晚上开窗睡觉会引起喉咙痛吗?
Scratchy throats in the morning and various causes。
If you wake up with a sore throat, you might wonder: Was it because you left the window open or a fan running? Experts say there are a variety of reasons, which you can often address with simple remedies. While people may believe leaving a window open caused their sore throat, it really depends more on the air quality, says Michael Benninger, MD, Chairman, Head and Neck Institute at Cleveland Clinic. “Cool air from an open window can help people breathe better, unless the air is very dry,” Dr. Benninger says.
Fans also can dry the air, but the soothing white noise may lead to better sleep. “I suggest facing the fan away. It will still circulate the air while producing background noise,” he says.
Common problems and fixes
“The most common reasons for a sore throat in the morning are a dry environment, especially in winter, along with mouth breathing and acid reflux,” Dr. Benninger says. He says that dehydration, hay fever, or the beginning of a cold also can be culprits.
If you consider your sleeping environment and symptoms, you often can find ways to rid yourself of that sandpaper-in-your-throat feeling.
Here are some common questions to ask yourself:
- Is the air dry? If you suspect the air is dry, which tends to be a problem in the winter, use a humidifier. Drinking extra water in general, but especially before bed, also can help.
- Could you be mouth breathing? Breathing from your nose helps keep moisture in your mouth and throat. Sometimes if nasal passages aren’t clear, we end up breathing out of our mouths. For short-term relief (for a cold), you could try oxymetazoline (Afrin®) at bedtime for a few days. For longer-term relief, you can use a steroid nasal spray (fluticasone), or you can use Breathe Right® nasal strips.
- Do you have acid reflux? People reflux more when they are in a lying position, Dr. Benninger says. “There are pillows that may help, but a healthy diet (low in acid) and weight control are the keys,” he says. If acid reflux is an issue for you, he suggests taking an H2 antihistamine like Zantac® or Pepsid® before bedtime. Also, he suggests not eating right before bed and avoiding alcohol, which can cause increased snoring.
- Change air filters regularly
- Keep pets out of the bedroom
- Remove carpets and drapes if possible
- Line mattress and pillows if you are allergic to dust mites
- Shower in the morning as the steam can soothe the throat
- Do you have a sore throat not associated with a virus that lasts all day?
- Is your sore throat not improving after a couple of weeks?