How To Get Rid Of Sore Throats?
What is a sore throat?
Sore throat (pharyngitis) is very common. It is usually caused by an infection in the throat. Soreness in the throat may be the only symptom. In addition, you may also have a hoarse voice, mild cough, high temperature (fever), and headache, feel sick, feel tired, and the glands in your neck may swell. It may be painful to swallow. The soreness typically gets worse over two to three days and then usually gradually goes within a week. In about one in ten cases the soreness lasts longer than a week. You may also develop a sore throat if you have a cold or flu-like illness.
A sore throat can affect people of all ages””however; the risk of a sore throat is higher in some people. This includes children, smokers, allergy sufferers, and people with a compromised immune system. Sharing a close space with others also increases the risk of upper respiratory infections that can present initially as a sore throat.
Causes of a Sore Throat
There are several causes of a sore throat.
Viral Infection
The majority of sore throats are triggered by a viral infection. These are infections caused by a virus, such as the cold and flu.
Other types of viral infections include:
1. mononucleosis: infectious disease typically transmitted through saliva
2. measles: contagious illnesses characterized by a distinct rash and fever
3. chickenpox: infection that causes skin sores
4. croup: infection of the larynx
Bacterial Infection
1. A bacterial infection can also cause a sore throat. These types of infections include:
2. strep throat: inflammation of the throat caused by the Streptococcal bacteria
3. diphtheria: infectious disease that causes throat inflammation
4. whooping cough: disease of the respiratory mucous membrane
Environmental Factors
Not all sore throats are viral or bacterial. There are several other causes of throat pain. If you’re allergic to mold, pet dander, pollen, or other irritants, exposure to these allergens can trigger post-nasal drip. This is when excess mucus accumulates in the back of your throat. This accumulation can irritate your throat and cause pain or inflammation.
Dry air can also make your throat feel raw and scratchy. Smoking cigarettes or exposure to cigarette smoke can trigger persistent sore throats, as well as throat strain from yelling or too much talking.
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease may also cause your sore throat. This is a digestive condition characterized by the back flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. This condition causes an array of symptoms, such as a sore throat, hoarseness, heartburn, and nausea.
Other Causes
In very rare cases, a sore throat may be a sign of HIV or throat cancer.
Home Remedies for Sore Throat
1. Gargle With Warm Salt Water:
When your Grandmother told you to gargle with salt water, she knew what she was talking about. Gargling with salt water isn’t an old wives tale-it’s about one of the closest to a cures for a sore throat you can get.
When our throats hurt, regardless of what causes it, it’s because the cells in the mucous membranes have become swollen and inflamed. By gargling with salt water you decrease the swelling, as salts primary function is to draw out water, which in turn shrinks the swollen cell and eases the pain. It also helps wash away the excess mucous and allows your stuffy nose (if you have one) to drain properly.
Lemon
You can use fresh lemons to get relief from a sore throat as they help remove mucus.
1. Try hot lemonade with honey. Mix the juice from half a lemon and one teaspoon of honey in one cup of warm water. Sip it slowly.
2. Another option is to gargle with freshly pressed lemon juice diluted with an equal amount of warm water.
3. You can also take half a lemon and sprinkle salt and pepper over it. Slowly lick the lemon.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is helpful for treating a sore throat due to its antibacterial properties.
1. Add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon each of lemon juice and honey to a cup of warm water and drink it slowly. Do this two or three times a day. Soon you will get relief from the pain and inflammation.
2.You can also make a gargle solution with apple cider vinegar. Mix one teaspoon of salt and one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in one cup of warm water. Gargle with it several times a day.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon can be used to treat a sore throat caused by the common cold.
1. Add one teaspoon each of cinnamon powder and black pepper powder to a glass of warm water. You may also add cardamom. Strain the solution and gargle with it two to three times a day.
2. Another option is to mix a few drops of cinnamon oil and one teaspoon of pure honey. Eat this two times a day to get relief from the pain and inflammation associated with a sore throat.
Garlic
Garlic has antibacterial and antiseptic properties along with other medicinal properties that can help treat or prevent sore throats.
1. Cut a fresh garlic clove in half and then suck on the pieces. Occasionally crush a garlic piece with your teeth to release the chemical known as allicin that helps kill the bacteria may be causing the sore throat.
2. Also try to eat garlic in raw and cooked form. If you do not like the taste, you can take garlic pills.
Honey
Honey has antibacterial properties, which can fight the infection and speed up the healing process. It also works like a hypertonic osmotic, which means that it helps draw water out of inflamed tissue and thus reduces swelling.
1. Add one to two tablespoons of honey to one cup of hot water and drink it several times a day. You can also add honey to your favorite cup of herbal tea.
2. Before going to bed, eat one teaspoon of honey as it will give you soothing relief and help you sleep.
Turmeric
Another great remedy for a sore throat is turmeric, which has powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
1. Mix one-quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder into a glass of warm water. Drink it slowly in the morning on an empty stomach. Do this once daily for three or four days.
2. Alternatively, you can add one teaspoon of turmeric powder and one teaspoon of ground black pepper to a glass of warm milk and drink it before going to bed.
3. You can also gargle with turmeric to soothe a bad throat. Add one-half teaspoon of turmeric powder and one-half teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and mix it well. Gargle with this mixture twice daily.
Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root contains mucilage and hence it can also be used to coat the throat and soothe a sore throat. Marshmallow root tea is great for a sore throat along with a common cough and cold. This remedy is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, or people who are diabetic.
1. Add one tablespoon of dried marshmallow root to one cup of boiling water and steep it for about half an hour.
2. Strain the solution, add some honey and drink it.
3. You can have three cups of this herbal tea in a day.
Fenugreek
The mucus-dissolving properties present in fenugreek will give you instant relief from pain and inflammation. You can prepare a gargle solution using fenugreek seeds, which is very effective for treating a sore throat.
1. Add two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds to six cups of water.
2. Boil it for about half an hour. Allow it to come to room temperature and then strain it.
3. Gargle with this solution three or four times a day.
Next time you have a sore throat, simply try some of these remedies to feel better. However, if your sore throat lasts more than two or three days, consult your doctor.
Sources:
patient.co.uk
healthline.com
top10homeremedies.com
Other links:
Useful Tips to Reduce Cold and Flu Symptoms Naturally
Some Top Home Remedies for Cough
8 ways to avoid a cold or flu
