Waking up with a scratchy throat? Here's everything it could mean, besides COVID

Winter months can be quite distressing, especially from a health perspective. From battling cold to being exposed to viruses to tackling air pollution, there's a lot that our bodies have to undergo and overcome.

Having said that, waking up with a blocked nose, puffy face and the most discomforting 'scratchy throat' can take a toll on your mood and your overall well-being. What's even more upsetting is when you don't exactly know the cause behind your symptoms. But not to worry! Here are 7 possible reasons as to why you have a sore throat when you wake up in the morning.

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With the emergence of COVID's Omicron variant, 'scratchy throat' became one of the top symptoms of the virus, besides runny nose, fatigue, body pain, sneezing, vomiting, night sweats and loss of appetite.

However, as far as scratchy, sore throat is concerned, it could also be linked to other viral infections including common cold, measles, chickenpox, croup, and even mononucleosis. Depending on what you're infected with, you may have other symptoms ranging from fever, cough, body aches, a runny nose, to swollen tonsils, and hoarseness.

Some viral illnesses may also lead to rashes and other skin problems.

Declining air quality has become a major health concern in recent times. That said, air pollution could lead to a dry, scratchy throat. Apart from that, it can give light to other symptoms including itchy skin, , coughing, wheezing, breathing problem, burning eyes, irritation in nose, and rise in blood pressure.

During colder months, the air in your room can become dry, which eventually can leave your mouth parched and your throat dry and irritated. Having said that, if you feel that the air around you is too dry, use a humidifier. You must also keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.

Scratchy, sore throat, along with watery eyes, a runny nose, sleepless nights can also be signs of allergies. Some of the common allergens are dust, pollen, mold, pet dander and more. Apart from these, some people may also be prone to seasonal allergies which can lead to similar symptoms.

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Not having enough water in your system can also lead to dry mouth and throat the next morning. This is because your body releases less saliva during sleep and also sweats during the night, which causes your body to lose more moisture than it can retain. Hence, stay hydrated, particularly in winters, when we forget to drink water.

Breathing from your mouth while sleeping, which is often a result of snoring and sleep issues, can lead to a sore throat when you wake up. When you breathe from your nose, it helps retain the moisture in the mouth and throat. Mouth breathing has an opposite reaction.

That said, chronic snoring is a leading sign of sleep apnea, a serious sleep disorder wherein your breathing can start and stop several times during the night.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux at night can also disrupt your sleep patterns. Surprisingly, it can make your throat hurt when you wake up. This happens because stomach acids flow back up into the esophagus, the tube that connects your stomach and throat. It can also lead to other symptoms including chest pain (heartburn), hoarseness, nausea, vomiting, and bad breath.