It's scratchy, tender and swollen, and you
dread the simple task of swallowing. But you have to swallow, and if you do,
then brace yourself for the inevitable pain.
If you have a sore throat, you're in good
company, all of them, and 40 million people annually trek to a doctor's office
treatments.
The mechanics of a sore throat are pretty
simple. It's an inflammation of the pharynx, which is the tube that
extends from the back of the mouth to the esophagus. The leading causes of your
discomfort are:
Viral infections like colds or the
flu. Often accompanied by fever, achy muscles and runny nose, viral infections
can't be cured, but their symptoms can be treated. A sore throat from a viral
source will generally disappear on its own within several days.
Bacterial infection, especially from
streptococcal bacteria (strep throat). Symptoms are much like those of a viral
infection but may be more severe and long lasting. Often a bacterial infection
is accompanied by headache, stomachache and swollen glands in the neck. A strep
infection is generally treated with antibiotics because permanent heart or
kidney damage can result. Culturing the bacteria is the only way a doctor can
determine the cause of the sore throat.
While those are the primary reasons for a
sore throat, there are others, including:
·
Smoking
·
Acid
reflux
·
Allergies
·
Dry
air, especially at night when you may sleep with your mouth open
·
Mouth
breathing
·
Throat
abuse: singing, shouting, coughing
·
Polyps
or cancer
·
Infected
tonsils
·
Food
allergy
A sore throat can be a minor but annoying
ailment, or it can be a symptom of a serious illness. Causes range from a
stuffy nose or a cold to strep throat, a bacterial throat infection caused by
Streptococcus pyogenes. Since untreated strep throat can lead to rheumatic
fever and scarlet fever, it's important to get medical help as early as
possible into the illness. Along with producing severe soreness in your gullet,
strep throat may be accompanied by fever, body aches and pains and malaise.
If you have these symptoms, or if you have a
sore throat lasting more than two or three days, it makes good sense to see a
doctor. For mild sore throats that accompany a cold or allergy, there are
soothing remedies using common household items that can stand alone or work
side by side with traditional medicine to stifle that soreness. Get started
with the first home remedy.
Keep clear
nasal passages
Doctors agree that two of the most common
causes of sore throat and runny nose are dry throat is sleeping with his mouth
open when nasal passages are blocked.
Decongestants, especially those
containing pseudoephedrine (read package labels) may be useful to stop the
flow, follow the package directions. Use saline nasal spray can help make
breathing easier promptly though temporarily, and probably worth investing in a
humidifier to run in your bedroom at night.
Relax
and Take It Easy
Common sense dictates staying in bed or at
least rest when the sore throat has come down. Taking it easy leaves more
energy to fight the infection. If sore throat does not require medical
attention, rest will help you back on the road to recovery.
Gargle
Gargle raspberry tea. Raspberry leaf tea can
make a gargle. (So, pour 1 cup boiling water over 2 teaspoons of dried leaves.
Let stand for 10 minutes, then strain. Allow to cool.) If you also have fever,
the gargle may be used as a drink to reduce fever, too. Do not drink any liquid
that has been used as a gargle.
Gargle
with sage.
This healing herb is a major sore throat gargle. Mix one teaspoon in cup
boiling water 1. Let stand 10 minutes, then strain. Add a teaspoon of cider
vinegar and honey, and then gargle four times a day.
Gargle with turmeric. Try this gargle to
soothe a cranky throat. Mix 1 cup hot water 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and 1/2
teaspoon salt. Gargle with the mixture twice daily. If not right with the
gargle, mix 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric in hot milk cup and a drink. Turmeric
stains clothing, so be careful to mix and gargle.
Gargle
with warm salt water.
If you can gargle without gagging, make a saline solution by adding 1/2
teaspoon salt in a cup of hot water. Yes, when your mother tells you to gargle
with salt water, she knew what she was talking about. Cut the mucus and reduces
inflammation. Dissolve salt 1/2 teaspoon in 1/2 cup warm water and gargle every
three to four hours.
Gargle
with Listerine.
Another good gargling fluid is Listerine mouthwash. If you share the product
with any other person in the household, do not drink straight from the bottle,
however, pour a small amount in a cup (and not share it, either).
Drink
apple cider vinegar
This sore throat cure is found in many
different remedies. Some doctors still swear it's surprisingly palatable and
works great. (Do not give him - or any other honey containing foods or drinks -
to children under two years honey can carry bacteria that can cause a kind of
food poisoning known as infant botulism, could also cause allergic reactions in
very. young children.)
In one tablespoon of honey, all types
1 tablespoon vinegar, preferably apple cider
vinegar
8 ounces of hot water
Mix all ingredients together in a cup and
drink slowly (but do not let it get cold). Use as often as desired.
For gargling: You'll need 1 teaspoon salt,
1/2 cup cider vinegar and 1 cup warm water. Dissolve salt in vinegar, then mix
in water. Gargle every 15 minutes if necessary.
Use
Citrus
Sip lemon juice. Mix 1 tablespoon each of
honey and lemon juice in 1 cup warm water and drink immediately.
Drink lime juice. Mix a spoonful with a
spoonful of honey and take as often as needed for sore throat.
Eat a
juice bar
Juice bar is cool and soothing to hot throat.
Do not suck, though. Ball can irritate the throat even more. Leave only the
small pieces melt in your mouth.
Take
some Hard Candy
Think of a sore throat as an excuse to
indulge your sweet tooth, because some doctors say sugar can help soothe a sore
throat and cough ticklish can come here. If nothing else, sucking hard candy -
sugar free variety - can help keep your mouth and throat moist, which will make
you feel more comfortable.
Steam
Out
An old remedy for a cold or sore is a steam
tent, sitting on your face over a bowl of steaming hot water and your head
covered with a towel to keep the steam in. Adding 1 2 drops of type vegetable
oil can be soothing.
While it is easy to dismiss something as
simple as an old wives tale, several scientific studies showing that the steam
can actually shorten the duration of an infection in the throat.
Take analgesic
Plain old aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen
can do wonders for sore throat pain. However, aspirin should not be given to
children under 19 because of the risk of Reye syndrome, a potentially fatal
disease. Pregnant women and nursing mothers should consult their doctor before
taking any medication.
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