Suffering from sinusitis, having a deviated septum, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, or chronic dry mouth can cause sore palate when you exercise too much. The nasal cavity is located above the roof of the mouth. Vigorous activity increases blood flow, body temperature, and respiratory rate, making nasal problems more noticeable. If you normally feel pain in the palate, see a doctor to find out the possible causes.
How to identify that you have a problem in the palate?
You may feel sinusitis behind your nasal bones, cheeks, forehead, and roof of your mouth. The pain you experience after exercising excessively with sinusitis is pressure-like pain. Sometimes it feels like you have a toothache in your front teeth; although others can be a sore throat and nasal congestion.
A deviated septum can obstruct one or both nostrils. You may notice that the septum deviates more during vigorous exercise if you breathe through your nose because nasal obstruction can cause pressure on the palate. If having a deviated septum is due to a recent injury, your palate may feel pain while exercising.
On the other hand, the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, which can mimic sinusitis, can also play a role. You may notice frequent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, a lump in your throat, and increased mucus in your throat. Chronic dry mouth can also irritate the palate during vigorous exercise.
Causes of having pain in the palate
The excess mucus that blocks the sinuses allows bacteria, viruses, or fungi to infect the sinuses, but it also causes sinusitis. A respiratory infection, asthma, allergies, a deviated septum, and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) can all lead to sinusitis.
The increased mucus production from asthma and allergies worsens during vigorous physical exertion. You can be born with a deviated septum or it can be the result of trauma to the nose.
GERD occurs when the sphincter between the stomach and the esophagus does not close properly, so stomach acids and ingested food return up the esophagus. If the acid travels to your sinuses while doing exercises that require you to lie down, you will feel pain in your sinuses and roof of the mouth. Dry mouth can cause pain in the palate as swallowing large amounts of air through the mouth during vigorous exercise can cause inflammation.
Is there treatment?
If sinusitis is caused by a viral infection, it will need to run its course until it clears. Otherwise, an antibacterial or antifungal medication will be prescribed. You can treat the pain with a warm washcloth on your face and sit down to steam your face after exercising.
If you have an underlying condition that is causing your sinusitis, you will need to treat this condition. Asthma can be treated with quick-relief inhalers or long-term medications. Allergies can be treated with antihistamines and immunotherapy .
You can control GERD with prescription antacids , but you may need surgery to repair the sphincter. Surgery can also repair a deviated septum. Cortisone nasal sprays and decongestants can help control excess mucus during vigorous exercise. If you experience dry mouth, increase your fluid intake before, during, and after exercise.
How to avoid pain in the roof of the mouth when training?
You can avoid sinusitis by treating underlying conditions and avoiding respiratory infections. Get a flu shot annually and wash your hands often. If you have a sinus infection, avoid palate pain by lowering the intensity of your exercise and avoiding lowering your head. A deviated septum can be difficult to prevent, but you can reduce your risk by wearing helmets and seat belts.
To avoid GERD symptoms while exercising vigorously, do not wear clothing that is tight at the waist and avoid exercises that involve bending over. Avoid large meals before exercise and common GERD triggers such as coffee, tea, fatty foods, and spices. Also learn to breathe through your nose to minimize the discomfort of a dry mouth.
