This article is advised by Doctor Specialist II Nguyen Van Thai - Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital. Dr. Thai has more than 17 years of treatment experience, especially in the field of Head and Neck Surgery.
The phenomenon of sore throat causing tinnitus and headaches are not dangerous to health. However, if the patient does not receive timely treatment, the disease can prolong and become chronic and difficult to treat.
1. Causes of sore throat, tinnitus, and headache
Sore throat, tinnitus, headache can be caused by many different causes. The most typical is due to some diseases such as sore throat, otitis media, tonsillitis, sinusitis,... It usually originates from acute pharyngitis.
Acute pharyngitis often occurs during seasonal changes, and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and granulosa fungi attacking the throat mucosa. Sore throat causes discomfort and inconvenience for patients in daily activities and life. The disease’s signs and symptoms such as sore throat, fatigue, dry cough, after a few days it changes to a cough with phlegm, runny nose, when the disease gets worse it causes fever with swollen lymph nodes in the neck. In some cases, tinnitus appears, headache.
Ear - nose - throat are often closely related to each other. When suffering sore throat, pathogenic bacteria and viruses can move to the ear, causing the phenomenon tinnitus, affects the nerves and causes headaches.
2. Is sore throat causing tinnitus and headaches dangerous?
It can be affirmed that the phenomenon of tinnitus, headache when having a sore throat are not dangerous and do not affect health too much. However, if one is being subjective and does not treat it timely, it could cause the illness to persist, and the sore throat may become chronic, making it harder to treat. At the same time, it is also very easy to get otitis media and can affect other respiratory organs, leading to a series of other respiratory diseases.
Although pharyngitis caused tinnitus, sore throat, and headache are not life-threatening but you should not be subjective. When a sore throat causes tinnitus and headaches, especially if this condition has been prolonged, you need to see a doctor to detect abnormalities and treat them properly.
3. Possible stages of disease progression
3.1. Stage 1: Common sore throat
• Sore throat or difficulty swallowing
• Fever above 38 degrees Celsius
• Headache
• Rash
• Stomachache
• Loss of appetite, nausea
• Muscle pain and stiffness
• Swollen pharyngeal glands and white patches in the throat or small red spots may appear on the roof of the mouth
3.2. Stage 2: Acute sore throat
• Swelling of the neck, appearance of large lymph nodes in the neck
• Stuffy nose on one side, runny nose
• Persistent cough
• Hoarseness, tinnitus
• Difficulty hearing, feeling of echo
• Headache and pain every time you cough
• Numbness in the face may be seen, difficulty swallowing
3.3. Stage 3: Complications of sore throat
Lymph nodes in the neck due to sore throat can develop into disease nasopharyngeal cancer
• Early stage of cancer: the small tumor appears and has not spread to nearby lymphatics.
• Progressive cancer: the tumor grows to 5-6 cm, the cancer cells gradually increase, the tumor in the larynx can still lie here and grow bigger and has not spread the cells to the surrounding area.
• Cancer is growing aggressively: the tumor has grown and the cancer cells have spread and still has a chance to be treated by surgical removal.
• Spreading cancer: Once nasopharyngeal cancer cells have spread to the lips and mouth and destroyed lymph nodes, the chance of recovery is almost extremely small.
• Late-stage metastasizing nasopharyngeal cancer, the lymph nodes in the neck become enlarged, causing a sore throat and difficulty swallowing. Lymph nodes can move to different locations on the body. Accompanied by pus discharge, nosebleeds, loss of sensation in the throat, headaches, reduced hearing ability...
4. Risk factors for prolonged disease progression
• Respiratory diseases, sore throat, sinusitis,... not treated promptly or treated ineffectively can be a factor in sore throat causing tinnitus or headaches.
• Upper respiratory diseases have progressed to severe complications in other areas of the throat, nose, and ears.
• The ears, nose and throat are not cleaned regularly or properly, creating a favorable environment for disease-causing bacteria and viruses to proliferate and develop.
• Unable to find the cause of sore throat, tinnitus, and headache, leading to incorrect treatment, making the disease worse and recurring many times.
• Humid and polluted living environments are leading factors of sore throat-induced tinnitus.
5. What to do when you have a sore throat, tinnitus, or headache?
5.1. Folk remedies
Honey: Has antibacterial properties that reduce inflammation and pain. Besides, it also provides essential nutrients and vitamins for the body to improve resistance and immune system. Usage is very simple, mix honey with water, add a few drops of lemon juice, drink every day.
Chives: Chives contain many antibiotic active ingredients such as allicin, sulit, odorin which are stronger than penicillin, can fight many types of bacteria and viruses, and effectively treat sore throat and tinnitus. How to use: Wash chives, let them dry, cut into small pieces, put in a glass bowl, add rock sugar and steam. Strain the medicine and drink it twice a day, 2-3 tablespoons each time
5.2. Drug treatment
The medicine is often used to treat it sore throat, tinnitus, headache is an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, if you have a fever, take a fever reducer like amoxicillin, aspirin, paracetamol, anti-inflammatory NSAIDs, corticosteroids,... In many cases, tinnitus and headaches will go away when the sore throat stops. However, if the tinnitus and headache persist, your doctor will prescribe you additional medications to enhance blood circulation, vitamins... to improve your health and support resistance.
5.3. Surgical intervention
You need to be examined thoroughly and have a doctor's prescription in case of surgical intervention for sore throat. Prolonged sore throat may be a cause of otitis media. When otitis media is not treated timely, it can cause tinnitus , affecting the nerves, headaches and poor hearing. In many cases, if otitis media is not treated completely, it will cause mastoiditis. People with tinnitus and headaches due to mastoiditis require surgery to completely remove the roots of the disease and prevent recurrence and serious complications later.
6. Take care of your body and prevent sore throat
6.1. Take care your health
About nutrition
• Supplement foods that are good for the throat and hearing, such as green fruits and vegetables, foods rich in vitamins C, D, E, magnesium, zinc,... supplement red fruits and vegetables, rich in vitamins, supplements, supports blood circulation and regulates nerves
• Do not use alcohol, tobacco, or stimulants
• You can use folk remedies at the beginning of a sore throat such as: sucking kumquats with honey, lemon basil steamed with rock sugar...
• Have a complete and scientific nutritional regimen
About life style
• Always keep your teeth clean every day.
• Gargle and rinse your throat and mouth with saline solution or diluted warm saltwater daily.
• Clean the nose, ears and other respiratory areas regularly.
• Keep your body warm, avoid colds and flu
• Regularly combine it with exercise, sports, and scientific rest and activity routine
6.2. Prevent sore throats, tinnitus, and recurring headaches
• Wash your hands thoroughly after going to the restroom, before eating or when touching objects in public places
• Avoid sharing food, drinking glasses, and personal items.
• Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke: Cigarettes are the culprit that causes you to have a sore throat and it makes the condition worse. Therefore, when you have a sore throat, staying away from cigarette smoke is even more necessary.
• Avoid sources of allergies.
Sore throat-induced tinnitus and headaches is not life-threatening, however, patients should not be subjective and need to treat and take care of themselves as prescribed by the doctor to completely cure the disease. If a sore throat accompanied with tinnitus and headaches prolong, it can lead to unpredictable complications, the most dangerous of which is nasopharyngeal cancer.
Otorhinolaryngology Department - Vinmec International General Hospital specializes in examining and treating common ear, nose and throat diseases such as: sore throat, tinnitus, non-allergic rhinitis, throat cancer; tumors in the head, face and neck region, congenital defects in the ear, nose and throat area using common surgical methods. Not only does it have state-of-the art facilities and equipment, Vinmec is also home to a team of experienced doctors and specialists who play a major role in diagnosing and detecting early signs of abnormalities in patients' bodies. In particular, with a space designed according to modern standards, Vinmec ensures that patients will experience the utmost comfort, friendliness, and peace of mind during their examination and treatment at the hospital.
To arrange an appointment, please call HOTLINE or make your reservation directly HERE. You may also download the MyVinmec app to schedule appointments faster and manage your reservations more conveniently.
