Cold and flu viruses are the most common causes of sore throats.
A sore throat is indication that your throat is either inflamed or irritated. It is a symptom rather than a medical condition, meaning that it can come from many causes, ranging from the common cold to bacterial infections. Most cases should disappear with rest and time, but you should consult your doctor if your sore throat persists. In the meantime, here are a list of methods to help you relieve the pain and discomfort of a sore throat.
Rest
Getting more rest is one of the simplest and most effective methods of relieving your sore throat. Not only will it help you forget the pain and discomfort for a time, it will also help your body heal that much faster from the source of the problem. You should take care while resting that the air is neither too dry nor contaminated with pollutants. Dryness can aggravate the soreness of your throat while contaminants such as air pollution or cigarette smoke can irritate it further.
Diet
Changing your eating habits will help you get over some of the worst hurdles in having a sore throat. Above all, drink plenty of water and other fluids to keep your throat moist to fend off dryness. Cool liquids are best because the cold will help numb your sore throat, although you can also accept warm but not hot broth, as a substitute. If reduce solids to soft, easy-to-swallow chunks during preparation, that will also help relieve your sore throat.
Analgesics
Analgesics can relieve your sore throat by numbing pain and discomfort. Common analgesics such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin are available at your pharmacy, and you can use other mild pain relievers such as lozenges and throat sprays. Hard candies can also be used, as they contain analgesic ingredients such as menthol. If your sore throat is caused by infection, you may also want to speak to your doctor about the antibiotics or other prescriptions available. Your doctor will perform a strep test to see if your sore throat is caused by a bacteria in the streptococcus family. If your sore throat is caused by strep, she will prescribe an antibiotic. If your sore throat is caused by a virus, then analgesics, fluids, rest and time are your best bet.
Home Remedies
One of the simplest home remedies for relieving your sore throat is to mix a spoonful of salt into water and then using it to gargle. Spit out the saltwater once you have gargled, since it will probably contain viral- or bacterial-laden saliva. Make sure that the saltwater is warm rather than hot. You can also use tea to relieve your throat. Herbal products are commonly available and often contain helpful ingredients such as sage and licorice root. You can add honey and lemon juice, if you desire to help these teas to go down more smoothly.
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