Health question (Hello, Steve?) :D

[Broken Arrow]

I have a scratchy throat. I have had it for at least a month now.

It is irritated when I breathe, especially around cold air. So, once in say ten minutes, it'll irritate me enough to at least cough.

When I swallow, it actually hurts. It also feels a bit stuffy and phlegmy. When I press my Adam's apple, it also hurts.

It does make it harder to sing, so I am not doing much of that right now. Is it possible that I did too much of that?

Could it be caused from not chewing my food enough before I swallow?

Finally, I don't smoke and I haven't been around anyone except my kids.

Anyone have any idea what could be wrong with my throat? Does this sound something that's important enough to see a doctor for?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Epiglottitis? Laryngitis? Tracheitis (Hmmm, that does not look right for spelling. I mean inflammation of the trachea). Ya, know, I think even post nasal drip could cause that kind of irritation. So allergies? A mild cold that you haven't been able to kick?

Personally I doubt if it has to do with chewing our food. My guess is a low-level viral infection, in which case, probably time for your body to heal it is the cure. If you want to feel real scared I could say, oh, could be a tumor of the thyroid or parathyroid....But, uh, don't listen to me, not only am I not a doctor and don't play one on TV, but I don't even watch them being played on TV. (Love it in those hospital scenes where they have recorded sound effects including the sounds of a mechanical ventilator, yet no one in the scene is supposed to be on one...other TV hospital quirks drive me crazy, too. I can't suspend disbelief. Therefore, I have never acquired my T.V.M.D. )

[Broken Arrow]

Thanks for the input... and feeding the fear.

It might be a tumor...

[PrincessPerky]

it is proly either allergies or a cold..drink OJ and change your air conditioning filter..oh and stop playing maple story all night long!

[Broken Arrow]

oh and stop playing maple story all night long!

Hey hey hey. What I do in the privacy of my own bedroom is no else's bus....

Wait, that didn't sound right.

[Aleta]

When I get sinusitis, I get similiar symtoms. The nasal drip can irritate the throat and my Dr said that it is a very strong and irritating drip. If I don't take care of it early, it turns into bronchitis, and will progressively become worse and could develop into pneumonia.

If it were me, I would go to a Dr and have it checked. You can't deal with what you don't know and you will sleep better.

You're right, wish that Dr. Steve was here, but he is on vacation. Try private emailing him so he will receive it when he gets back. He can only tell you what you should do because he hasn't examined you. He has great advice though and really genuinely cares for others. It shows in his posts.

Hope that you feel better. Will keep you in my prayers.

[disneysteve]

I'm here. I don't usually read this forum, so thanks for the PM, BA. And thanks for the kind words, Aleta. I'm still relaxing in New Hampshire but don't mind checking in for a little medical info.

Certainly, any symptom that has persisted for a month warrants looking into. You didn't mention anything about this affecting your voice - hoarse, weak, losing, etc., so it doesn't sound like your vocal cords are involved.

Sounds most likely viral, though a throat culture would certainly be in order to rule out strep. I'm assuming it hasn't responded to simple stuff like Tylenol or Advil or gargling with salt water or using OTC cold remedies.

So my final answer is to see your doctor.