Sore Throat: How to Extinguish The “fire.”

Most of the time, when you feel a soreness in your throat, there is a likelihood that you may be experiencing the early warning signs of a cold or flu, as a result of a viral or bacterial infection.   When coughing accompanies your sore throat, the discomfort and pain caused thereby, can be unbearable.  Occasionally, a sore throat can be  a minor irritation caused by low humidity in the winter season, or oddly enough, the cause can be too much cheering at a baseball or football game.  Regardless of the source, the most accessible method of dealing with the problem is your home.

There are ways to help yourself, such as :

1) If the cause happens to be a viral infection, forget antibiotics.  However, there are a number of medicated lozenges available over the counter.  They contain phenol that can kill surface germs, thus helping your body to build up resistance.  Also the anesthetic action of the medicated lozenges serves to numb raw nerve endings so that your throat does not feel terribly scratchy. The lozenges come in various strengths. It is advisable to read the direction on the package, as you would do with other over-the-counter medications.

2)  There are also throat sprays that contain phenol.  However, by comparison,  the healing effect of lozenges is quicker.

3)  Zinc lozenges, can help sore throats , associated with cold, according to Donald Davis, PhD, Research Scientist, at the Clayton Foundation Biochemical Institute, University of Texas, Austin.  Zinc helps relieve the soreness, including other symptoms.

4)  It hurts when you swallow. Soothing the pain can be accomplished by gargling frequently.  The most efficacious method  is to put a teaspoon of table salt in one pint of warm water and gargle at intervals.  Do not swallow the liquid in order to prevent any sodium intake.

5)  Studies showed that warm Chamomile tea works well.  Steep one teaspoon dried chamomile in one cup of hot water and start gargling as and when needed.

6)  Gargle with little lemon juice into a glass of lukewarm water.

7)  Gargle with a spoonful of bourbon or whiskey, diluted with warm water. The alcohol can help numb the pain.

8)   Humidify  the room.

9)   Take Aspirin or Tylenol.

10)  Drink a lot of fluids.

11)  Load up on garlic.

12    Reach for Vitamin C

13)   Discard your toothbrush. Strange as it may sound, your toothbrush could be causing your sore throat, as bacteria collects on the bristles. Injury to the gums during brushing injects germs into your system.

If the above home remedies do not serve any purpose, the next step is to see your doctor.