From Bedside to Blog: Explaining Post-Surgery Sore Throat

Why Does My Throat Hurt After Surgery?

One of the first questions I hear after surgery is, “Why does my throat hurt?” Many patients and their families assume that something went wrong, when in reality, it’s a normal and expected part of recovery.

Why I’m Starting This Blog

As a nurse, I’ve answered this question countless times. Each time, I saw how clarity could melt fear. Patients and their families feel safer and their fears are eased with only a few sentences. That’s why I am starting this blog: to make medical jargon less intimidating for patients, families, and even lawyers who work with medical records.

The Breathing Tube Explained

In reality a fair amount of surgeries, especially abdominal surgeries, are performed with a breathing tube or endotracheal tube in place. A breathing tube is inserted in the lungs via the mouth at the beginning of the surgery and remains in place until its conclusion. This tube allows an anesthesiologist to maintain both the airway and the respiratory or breathing rate of the patient.

What That Means for Patients

The side effect of having a breathing tube is that it can cause irritation in your throat resulting in that sore throat feeling that many patients notice. Many have described this feeling as the beginning of a cold and can last a few days. Even with these annoyances, having a breathing tube is a necessary, lifesaving device.

Things That Can Help

Recovery can feel uncomfortable, but there are simple ways to ease it: cold drinks, ice chips, cough drops, broth, or even warm tea can help.

Looking Ahead

This is one of many examples where the medical care patients receive can be confusing without an explanation. My goal in this blog is to tackle that confusion. I want to translate this complex, clinical language into clear words that anyone can understand.

Closing Thoughts

Clarity is powerful- and this blog is where I’ll keep bringing it to light.

Registered Nurse and aspiring medical-legal consultant, translating medical language into clarity for patients, families, and legal professionals.