Sore Throat After Drinking: Relief, Causes & Prevention

Key takeaways:

• Sore throat after drinking occurs frequently.
• There are many ways to prevent or alleviate a sore throat from drinking.
• Even persistent sore throats after drinking only rarely indicate a more serious medical condition.

Alcohol is a leading cause of illness in the United States. It affects almost every part of the body, including the throat. There are various reasons why your throat may be sore after drinking. Some of these reasons are preventable; others can be quickly relieved with hydration, rest, or home remedies.

Experiencing a sore throat after drinking could be a sign of inflammation in the mouth or throat, which is usually temporary. Another possibility is that the sore throat may be caused by alcohol irritating another part of your body, such as the stomach or esophagus. Generally, a sore throat from drinking does not typically require seeking advice from a healthcare professional to get better.

Typical duration of a sore throat after drinking

Sore throats that occur after drinking usually get better within 24 to 72 hours. You might feel dryness or mild irritation in your throat, but this typically goes away quickly. If you have soreness or pain that lasts longer than a few days, it could be a sign of a more serious issue that needs to be checked and treated by a healthcare provider.

Why drinking alcohol can cause a sore or hoarse throat

After consuming alcohol, a sore throat can result from various causes, especially if you are not a regular drinker. Alcohol can trigger inflammation in the throat and also cause inflammation in your esophagus, stomach, or even your intestines and liver.

You likely haven't caused any damage to your throat or other organs when drinking, but the sore throat could be a warning to either drink in moderation or avoid drinking altogether in the future. Everyone's body reacts differently to alcohol.

Dehydration

Combating dehydration when you drink is often a number one priority. Alcohol causes our bodies and our throats to dehydrate, primarily by causing us to urinate more. Alcohol is a natural diuretic. It blocks a natural hormone called vasopressin or antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Being dehydrated may make your muscles stiff or sore, damage your liver or kidneys, and may even cause you to become confused or disoriented.

Inflammation

Alcohol can make your body's immune system work harder, which can lead to symptoms like sore throat, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Long-term alcohol consumption can cause liver damage, neurological disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Drinks with high alcohol content, such as vodka, gin, and whiskey, can cause more inflammation compared to beer or wine.

Weakened immune system

Alcohol can significantly impact your body by weakening your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections and diseases. After consuming alcohol, you may be more susceptible to catching a cold, COVID-19, or the flu for up to 24 hours, which can result in a sore throat. Therefore, the sore throat from drinking is indirectly related to consuming alcohol.

Increased stomach acid

When you drink alcohol, it can increase stomach acid and cause symptoms similar to heartburn. This may make your throat feel sore or like it's burning. Alcohol can irritate the lining of your throat, esophagus, and stomach and may cause acid from the stomach to come up into the throat, a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux or GERD.

Alcohol sensitivity

It's important to remember that if you experience sore throat, skin flushing, sinus congestion, and walking instability after drinking alcohol, you might have alcohol intolerance. This condition is often related to a type of allergy, and the only way to prevent it is to avoid alcohol.

Voice overuse

In loud environments like bars or nightclubs, you might strain your voice, worsening your sore throat and dryness, leading to hoarseness. Hoarseness can make it difficult to talk, and your sore throat typically won't improve until it improves.

How to relieve or cure a sore throat after drinking

There is a difference between relieving your sore throat and curing it after drinking. Relief means that your sore throat symptoms may be alleviated only temporarily. Curing your sore throat after drinking is more challenging because it implies finding a solution that prevents it from coming back. Most remedies for sore throat after drinking only offer temporary relief.

Rest

Drinking alcohol reduces sleep quality. The sensitive areas of your throat require rest and time to heal. Adequate sleep will improve your sore throat.

Drink fluids

Drinking water and sports drinks help replenish your body after drinking, as excessive urination from drinking may cause electrolyte imbalances.

Salt water rinses

Using 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of table salt in a cup of warm water to rinse a sore throat after drinking can help soothe it.

Tea and Honey

Avoid caffeine as it can further dry your throat; opt for decaffeinated teas. Honey is an old-fashioned remedy that soothes a sore throat due to its natural healing properties.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs)

These include over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, which are effective for relieving sore throat and other aches and pains. They also work to reduce fever, which may be associated with dehydration after drinking.

How to prevent sore throat after drinking

To avoid getting a sore throat after drinking, it's best to abstain from alcohol entirely. If you choose to drink, do so responsibly and in moderation. Women should not have more than one drink daily, while men should limit themselves to a maximum of two drinks daily.

Drink water when you drink alcohol

Staying hydrated with water can help prevent a sore throat. It's recommended to drink one cup of water for every alcoholic drink. Many people have found that cold water can soothe and prevent a sore throat when drinking alcohol.

Avoid loud places

Your sore throat may worsen if you shout or strain your voice in loud environments such as bars, nightclubs, or around loud music. Avoiding these places can help prevent stress on your vocal cords.

Get plenty of sleep the night before

If you are well-rested, drinking is less likely to cause a sore throat. Sleeping after drinking may also help.

Avoid congeners

Congeners are by-products of fermentation and are found in whiskey, tequila, and cognac. Bourbon whiskey contains a very high content of congeners. Low congener drinks include vodka, gin, and rum, which are clear drinks.

Consider taking supplements for relief of a sore throat before or after drinking.

If you have no contraindications with your health conditions or current medications, some healthcare professionals advocate taking the following. It is important to note that none of these are FDA-approved or scientifically proven:

• NSAIDs (ibuprofen or naproxen)
• Salt water gargles
• Zinc
• Clove extract

When to see a doctor about a sore throat after drinking

If your sore throat persists even after trying home remedies or worsens, you should contact your healthcare provider as it may be a sign of a more severe problem requiring further evaluation and treatment.

You should see a doctor if you have the following:

• Fever
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Difficulty urinating
• Swelling of the back of your throat or neck
• Coughing up or vomiting blood
• Joint swelling or pain
• Rash

You should go to the emergency room if you have the following:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest or abdominal pain
• Coughing up or vomiting blood
• Swelling of the back of your throat or neck
• Having difficulty urinating
• Jaundice

Questions to ask your doctor about a sore throat after drinking

• When can I expect my sore throat to improve?
• What is causing my sore throat?
• What do you recommend I do to get rid of my sore throat?
• How long will my sore throat last?
• Are there any tests that can be done to find out what is causing my sore throat?
• Do I need a prescription medicine to get better?
• Do you recommend any vitamins or supplements?

Frequently asked questions: sore throat after drinking

You may have questions after experiencing a sore throat from drinking. It is essential to seek medical advice if you suspect something may be wrong with your mouth or throat.

What if your throat is sore more than two days after drinking alcohol?

If your sore throat persists for more than a few days, it's important to seek evaluation and treatment from a healthcare provider. A long-lasting sore throat may indicate a condition that requires tests such as blood work, X-rays, or medication, rather than just relying on home remedies. This could be due to severe inflammation or irritation, possibly from alcohol.

What if you only get a sore throat after drinking a specific beverage, like beer, wine, or liquor?

It is possible that you have a sensitivity or allergy to a specific beverage or a particular ingredient in that drink. For example, some people are allergic to sulfites or histamines in wine or to particular grains like barley used to brew beer. Allergies to liquor are also possible because they may be made from corn, wheat, barley, rye, oats, sorghum, rice, millet, quinoa, and buckwheat.

Why does your throat get sore after vomiting after drinking alcohol?

Stomach acid helps with digestion and gets rid of bacteria. When we vomit, the strong stomach acid can cause irritation to our mouth, throat, and voice box. This can lead to a sore throat, temporary loss of voice, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing. If you're vomiting, avoid drinking more alcohol, as it can make your sore throat worse.

Summary

Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of developing a sore throat. Sore throats often occur after drinking for various reasons. The soreness should be temporary and can be easily treated with home remedies. If the condition worsens or persists after a few days, it is advisable to seek advice from a healthcare provider.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

Sources

Alcohol Fact Sheet. World Health Organization. June 25, 2004. Available at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/alcohol.

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