Sore throats can be painful and annoying. Fortunately, most sore throats are caused by a minor illness and go away without medical treatment.
Several conditions can cause a sore throat.
Sore throats may be caused by a viral
illness, such as:
- The common cold, the most common type of viral infection.
- Infection of the voice box (laryngitis).
- Mononucleosis (mono, "the kissing disease"), a viral
infection that tends to cause a persistent sore throat.
- Other viral infections, such as mumps, her angina, or influenza.
A bacterial infection may also
cause a sore throat. This can occur from:
- Strep throat, which usually does not occur with congestion or a
cough.
- An inflammation or infection of the tonsils (tonsillitis) and
sometimes the adenoids (adenoiditis).
- An infection of the tissues around the tonsils (peritonsillar
abscess).
- Inflammation of the epiglottis (epiglottitis).
- Inflammation of the uvula (uvulitis).
- In rare cases, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as
gonorrhea or chlamydia. If you have engaged in high-risk
sexual behavior, consider whether you may have gonorrhea or chlamydia. For
more information, see the topic Sexually Transmitted Infections.
A sore throat that lasts longer than a week
is often caused by irritants or an injuries, such as:
- Throat irritation from low humidity, smoking, air pollution,
yelling, or nasal drainage down the back of the throat (postnasal drip).
- Breathing through the mouth when you have allergies or a stuffy
nose.
- Stomach acid that backs up into the throat, which may be a symptom
of gastroesophagul reflux disease (GERD). Although GERD often occurs with heartburn,
an acid taste in the mouth, or a cough, sometimes a sore throat is the
only symptom.
- An injury to the back of the throat, such as a cut or puncture from
falling with a pointed object in the mouth.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition that causes extreme tiredness.
Treatment for a sore throat depends on the
cause. You may be able to use home treatment to obtain relief.
Because viral illnesses are the most common
cause of a sore throat, it is important not to use antibiotics to treat them.
Antibiotics do not alter the course of viral infections. Unnecessary use of an
antibiotic exposes you to the risks of an allergic reaction and
antibiotic side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, and yeast
infections. Antibiotics also may kill beneficial bacteria and encourage the
development of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria. For sore
throats caused by strep, treatment with antibiotics may be needed.
How to
cure a sore throat?
Various
cures are available for sore throat. Medicines can treat only a specific type
of throat infection. For instance, antibiotics are useful in bacterial
infections but not in case of viral infections. Before undergoing for any
medication, one should know the exact cause of infection. However, several home
remedies are also available for treating sore throat.
Homemade
Remedies for Curing Sore Throat
There are
various home remedies that can ease the patient and can relieve him/her from
the problem of sore throat, almost immediately.
1. Gargle
The superb
home remedy to fix the problem of sore throat is gargling with lukewarm water,
mixed with salt. You can also mix turmeric powder in the salt solution.
Alternatively,
you can also use the solution of baking soda for gargling. For this, mix ½ tsp
of baking soda in one glass of warm water.
2. Honey
Honey is
used in treating many ailments, and sore throat is one of them. Honey has some
natural antibacterial properties that can quickly heal the patient, suffering
from sore throat. It acts as a hypertonic osmotic and reduces the discomfort of
the patient by drawing out water from the inflamed tissues. You can add 4-5 tsp
of honey to a cup of herbal tea or hot water. Juice of half lemon mixed with
honey in hot water also soothes the burning throat.
3.
Vitamin C
Whatever may
be the reason of your sore throat, Vitamin-C works in all conditions. The
sufferer should intake sources of Vitamin-C thrice a day, which is helpful in
strengthening the immune system to fight-off the infection. Include oranges,
tomatoes, strawberries, squash, mangoes, and red peppers in your diet.
4. Garlic
Raw garlic
also has antibacterial and antiseptic qualities, which can cure the throat
infection. If you don’t wish to have raw garlic, take garlic capsules.
5.
Humidifier
Run a
humidifier or cool mist vaporizer in the patient’s room. This helps in adding
moisture in the air that in turn helps the throat from drying out. If you do
not have a humidifier at home, take a large bowl of water and place it in front
of the radiator or heating vent.
6.
Improvise the Immune System
Strengthen
your immune system by adding nutritional supplements, like zinc, magnesium,
vitamins C and E, and immunity boosting herbs, like astragalus and goldenseal
in your diet.
7.
Sugar-free Popsicles or Ice-creams
Though, cold
drinks and food are a big NO in sore throat, but sugar-free popsicles and
ice-creams are beneficial in the sore throat, caused due to cold. They decrease
inflammation and irritation.
8. Ginger
Tea
Drink ginger
tea for avoiding soothing the sore throat. The procedure of preparing ginger
tea is simple. Prepare the tea as you normally would, just add crushed piece of
ginger and boil for 4-5 minutes.
9.
Chamomile Tea
The patient
can also be given the chamomile tea as it helps in alleviating the sore throat
by reducing inflammation and throat pain. Take two tea bags of chamomile and
steep them in one cup of boiling water. Honey can also be added to it if you
want to have it sweet. Sip it slowly.
10.
Inhale Fragrances
Essential
oils, like thyme, lavender, eucalyptus, sandalwood, etc. can be inhaled
to experience some relief.
11. Basil
Leaves
Boil basil
leaves in water. Then, strain it and intake the water, sip by sip. Else, gargle
with the water.
12.
Indian Spices
Make a
decoction of Indian spices by boiling grinded black peppercorn, fennel seeds,
coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and dry ginger in two cups of water for 5-6
minutes. Strain the solution and drink it hot.
13.
Chicken Soup
Eating and
swallowing become difficult when you suffer from sore throat. In this case,
soups help in soothing the inflammation and relieving the pain. Drink hot
chicken soup to lubricate your throat.
14. Steam
Steam
inhaling is also an effective measure for treating a sore throat. Heat water in
a large vessel, and lean over the pot by covering your head with a towel.
Breathe in the steam with the nose and mouth. Take necessary precautions to
save yourself from the hot water and vessel. Else, take a hot shower or bath.
15.
Echinacea
The intake
of Echinacea helps in providing quick relief to sore throat.
16.
Licorice (Mulethi) Root
Licorice
root is anti-inflammatory in nature and is the main ingredient of many herbal
teas. Its expectorant properties help in easing congestion and cough, thereby
reducing sore throat.
Note: Licorice
root should not be taken into a large amount as it causes low potassium levels
and high blood pressure. Therefore, people with heart diseases must take
precaution while consuming Licorice.
17. Vicks
VapoRub
Gently
massage Vicks VapoRub on your neck and chest while going for bed. Cover your
neck and chest. You will certainly feel relief in the morning.