From the Guidelines
A sore throat after an endoscopy is a common and typically self-limiting condition that resolves within 24-48 hours. According to the study published in Gut 1, some patients may complain of a sore throat the next morning after endoscopy, but this is considered quite normal.
Management of Sore Throat
To manage discomfort, patients can try:
- Gargling with warm salt water several times daily
- Sucking on throat lozenges
- Using over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500-1000mg every 6 hours or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 400-600mg every 6-8 hours with food
- Drinking cool liquids or eating soft foods The soreness occurs because the endoscope passes through the throat during the procedure, causing temporary irritation to the sensitive tissues.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If the sore throat is severe, persists beyond 2-3 days, is accompanied by difficulty swallowing, fever above 101°F, or if the patient is coughing up blood, they should contact their doctor immediately as these could indicate complications like perforation or infection 1. Most patients experience complete resolution of throat discomfort without specific treatment as the irritated tissues heal naturally.
From the Research
Sore Throat After Endoscopy
- The provided studies do not directly address the topic of sore throat after endoscopy, as they primarily focus on streptococcal pharyngitis and its diagnosis and treatment 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, it can be inferred that a sore throat after endoscopy may be related to the procedure itself, rather than an infection such as streptococcal pharyngitis.
- The studies suggest that streptococcal pharyngitis is typically diagnosed using clinical scoring systems, rapid antigen detection tests, and throat cultures, and treated with antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin 2, 3, 4, 5.
- It is unlikely that a sore throat after endoscopy would be caused by streptococcal pharyngitis, as the symptoms and diagnostic methods described in the studies do not align with the typical presentation of a sore throat after a medical procedure.
- Further research would be needed to determine the cause and appropriate treatment of a sore throat after endoscopy, as the provided studies do not provide relevant information on this topic 6.