Sore Throat: What’s An Effective Home Remedy? By Dr Willie T. Ong There are many causes of sore throat. Oftentimes, sore throat is caused by a viral or bacterial infection. The most frequent cause of sore throat is a viral infection, which usually gets well on its own with simple home remedies. However, sore throat can be caused by a bacterial infection (usually streptococcus bacteria), wherein the tonsils are swollen and red (called tonsillitis). The patient may also experience fever and weakness, and there could also be whitish spots seen on the tonsils, which are made of pus. For tonsillitis, the patient would need to take in antibiotics for ten days to clear the infection. Home Remedies For Sore Throat: 1. Gargle with warm water and salt preparation. Mix one teaspoon (5 grams) of salt in 1 glass of warm water (8 ounces or 240 ml). Gargle for several seconds and make sure that the fluid reaches the throat area, before spitting it out. This solution will decrease the swelling of the tonsils and relieve the pain. You can do this four times in a day. 2. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of fluids in a day. Drink more water, tea or soup, as this will help loosen up the phlegm. 3. Take chicken soup. Studies have shown that chicken soup can help cure a bout of flu or colds. According to a study by Dr. Stephen Rennard at the University of Nebraska, chicken soup contains the amino acid called cysteine, which can reduce colds and phlegm by decreasing the inflammatory response of the body. In order to maximize the benefit of chicken soup, add carrots, ginger, garlic, onion, sweet potato and black pepper to the soup. 4. You may drink caffeine-free tea or take in warm water with a little honey. These liquids are soothing to the throat. 5. You may try throat lozenges. However, do not children lozenges as they may choke on this. 6. If you have the budget, you can buy a humidifier which can moisten the air in your room. Dry air irritates the throat. 7. Rest your voice and rest your body. Get enough sleep. 8. Wash your hands often, especially after using the toilet, and after coughing out phlegm. 9. Have a positive attitude. Imagine your body’s cells fighting the infection. And keep your environment cool and comfortable. All these little things can help you get well sooner. There are other possible causes of sore throat like gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), wherein the stomach acid goes up to the throat area. Allergies to dust, molds, pets and pollen can also lead to a sore throat. Inhaling dry air and cigarette smoke care aggravating factors. In fact, sleeping with your mouth open also dries the throat. People who talk and shout a lot can likewise strain their vocal cords leading to hoarseness and sore throat. Occasionally, doctors may find a lump in the throat which requires further testing and work-up. Hence, from a medical standpoint, a sore throat may not be as simple as it seems. The doctor needs to arrive at the correct diagnosis first before prescribing a cure. Good luck. Please SHARE if you care. (Video credit: Dr Willie Ong’s Health Blog)
Posted on: Wed, 10 Dec 2014 08:03:44 +0000