What helps against Sore Throat?

Every person must have experienced a sore throat some or the other time in life. This is a condition in which a person might find it difficult to gulp, swallow or even speak.  Medically termed as pharyngitis, a sore throat is accompanied by symptoms like throat pain, a parched feeling, irritation, a pricking sensation and sometimes loss of voice. A sore throat may make you want to give up on speaking and eating. 

A sore throat may be a signal of an impending respiratory tract infection or an allergy. It may accompany a bout of viral fever too. Your physician may recommend a throat swab or a culture test to precisely pinpoint the cause of your sore throat. Your physician will also prescribe a medicine that help against sore throat . If the cause is a bacterial infection, the physician may recommend a course of antibiotics. If the cause is allergic, an antihistamine like cetirizine or loratidine may be prescribed. To reduce the swelling or the inflammation, non-steroidal inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen may be prescribed. Analgesics like benzocaine may help in reducing the severity of pain. 

Sore throat sprays

Sore throat sprays like Throatsil also help relieve symptoms as it contains analgesic along with antiseptic agents.

Lozenges

Lozenges are medicated candies which are available over the counter in a plethora of flavours like ginger, lemon, menthol, eucalyptus etc. Sucking on these may help against sore throat by lessening the pain temporarily. These lozenges also increase the secretion of saliva and thereby reduce the dryness and the parched sensation of a sore throat. Some of them have antiseptic ingredients in them.

For eras, certain home remedies have been considered to help against sore throat. 

Gargling with salt water

This may seem too simple, but it is effective nonetheless. Consistent gargles with lukewarm water can help against sore throat by soothing the burning and inflammation. Salt has an anti-infective effect and can control the infection in the pharyngeal area. The mucous discharge which may be accumulated at the site of infection can also be washed away with gargles.  

Warm beverages

In the era before medicines, warm beverages were considered to be the ultimate elixirs against sore throat. A steaming cup of tea flavoured with ginger or lemon grass seems like the answer to a prayer when your throat is on fire.  Soups flavoured with kitchen spices like pepper and clove can provide a soothing effect too. Hot milk with turmeric added to it is considered to help against sore throat.  A teaspoon of honey at bedtime can also soothe the irritation and prickling sensation and help you have a restful night.

Sore throat causes great discomfort and should be relieved as soon as possible with the various remedies mentioned above.

What are the easiest remedies to cure a sore throat?

A sore throat is one of the most irritating conditions experienced by almost everyone during their lifetime. Sometimes it may serve as a warning sign for other upcoming conditions such as a flu or cold, while sometimes it may be caused due to inflamed tonsils, dry and polluted air, straining vocal cords by drinking chilled water or even talking too much! So here we give 5 most easy sore throat treatments

1) Honey – A wonder syrup, honey has the potential to cure a number of diseases, including sore throat. One of the primary reasons why honey is used to speed up all healing processes is because it is rich in mineral zinc along with other vitamins and antioxidants. Zinc is known to heal wounds faster. Hence a concoction of honey with ginger is known to soothe a sore throat.

2) Salt water gargle – Our grandmother’s recommended therapy, salt water gargle is an excellent way to reduce sore throat pain. The salt is known to kill sore throat causing bacteria while warm water reduces swelling. It is a safe and effective form of sore throat treatment and it is advised to be practiced 3-4 times a day for relief. 

3) Lozenge and sprays – Apart from home remedies to treat sore throat, one can also choose sore throat syrup/lozenge/spray (eg: Throatsil) for relief. The medicine present in such formulations act as analgesic agents that calm the nerves and reduce pain that reduces the inflammation and thus leads to faster healing. 

4) Herbal teas – When sore throat strikes, give up your regular tea for a cup of herbal tea. The antioxidants present in them offer immediate relief and soothe the inflamed throat. 

5) Chicken soup – Yes, chicken soup not only soothes the soul but also a sore throat. The sodium in the broth may have anti-inflammatory powers that can soothe a sore throat. Moreover, such a healthy soup will also help you replenish your nutrients that may have been reduced due to decreased food intake. 

It is quite normal for people to decrease their fluid and food intake when suffering from a sore throat. But this act can further injure your health. The Best thing to do is to use sore throat treatments and eat a well balanced diet to stay healthy. 

Why do you get a sore throat?

One of the most important organs of your body is the throat. It is a hollow tube whose primary responsibility is to carry food into the esophagus and air into the wind pipe. The technical term for your throat is pharynx. Often, during a viral attack or cold and flu, you may experience a throat ache or throat pain which is a irritating feeling that may make swallowing a painful experience.

Causes of a throat pain – A sore throat pain can be caused due to several factors such as -

Throat infection – an infection in the throat is commonly caused by a virus responsible to bring about a cold or flu. Throat ache associated with cold and flu is generally harmless and is cured on its own within few days or as soon as the cold is treated. It does not require any special medicine or remedy to cure sore throat pain. Bacterial infection is most commonly

caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria known as Strep Throat. Cold and dripping nose may or may not be accompanied with strep throat and doctors usually prescribe an antibiotic to treat bacterial throat infection.

Tonsillitis – Tonsils are oval shaped, pink coloured fleshy mass of tissue present on both side of the throat. They act as a defence mechanism of the body by fighting against infections. During tonsillitis, the tonsils (one or both) get inflamed due to the infection giving you severe throat pain along with discomfort while swallowing.

Environmental factors – Sore throat pain can also occur due to environmental factors such as allergy to pollen, animal dander, mold, and other irritants. Along with sore throat pain you may also experience watering eyes and dripping nose due to the allergy. In summer, when one drinks a lot of ice-cold beverages, it can lead to a sore throat too.

Other factors – Some uncommon but strong triggers of sore throat are smoking, talking too much or yelling while talking, food getting choked in the throat, dry weather, acid reflux etc.

Throat infection symptoms –

Pain, itchiness, irritation, inflammation, difficulty in swallowing etc are some of the common feelings associated with throat infection and sore throat pain. However, if other symptoms such as ear ache, difficulty breathing, severe throat pain and persist then a trip to the doctor’s clinic is compulsory.

How to cure sore throat pain –

Medicine for sore throat  depends on the cause of the infection. A sore throat due to viral infection will heal on its own without the use of prescription medicine, whereas a  sore throat due to bacterial infection required doctor intervention..  However General remedies for sore throat pain include –

2) Syrups, lozenges or sprays to relieve sore throat pain

3) Gargling with warm salt water

4) Drinking ample amount of fluids such as warm water, soups, herbal teas etc

5) Avoiding the known triggers such as pollen, pet dander, irritants etc

6) Quit smoking if that is the major cause of your throat pain

Ways to prevent a throat infection or sore throat pain

Prevention is better than cure and by following strict hygiene practices one can ensure freedom from pain and irritation.

1) Do not share your water bottles or drinking glass

2) Always wash hands before eating a meal

3) Avoid direct contact with a person already suffering from throat pain

4) Avoid commonly touched surfaces

5) Reduce your exposure to common allergens, smoke etc.