Sore Throat Remedies

Commonly experienced by a lot of people, sore throat can be caused by a number of abnormalities in the anatomical structures of the body, specifically the nasal and oral passages. Sore throat is defined according to the particular area that causes it. It can be due to pain and swelling in the pharynx, which is called pahryngitis. It could also be called tonsillitis which occurs when there is inflammation of the tonsils. When the discomfort is on the larynx, it is then called laryngitis. Lastly, epiglottitis when the condition affects the epiglottis. Although sore throat can be very uncomfortable there are many sore throat remedies that can help to make it easier to deal with the pain.
Sore throat can be caused by a number of different things. Most usual cause of a sore throat is simply common viruses that cause flu and blisters in the oral cavity, as well as Mononucleosis (mono, “the kissing disease”), a viral infection that tends to cause a persistent sore throat. Oral breathing can also irritate throat and leads to a dry, itchy oral passage. Post nasal drip may also lead to a sore throat. A sore throat may also be due to infection from Streptococcus and Arcanobacterium bacteria. Some reasons for sore throat also include smoking, acid reflux, food allergies, and throat abuse, such as excessive shouting and coughing. Lastly, it can be due to treatment side effects, like antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy and other medications.
Remedies of sore throat usually include analgesics and acetaminophen to relieve pain, steroids for pharyngitis, lidocaine in numbing the throat mucus linings, and antibiotics for bacterial infections.
On the other hand, most sore throats are a symptom that a cold or flu is coming, and can be resolved on their own within a week. These sore throat symptoms can be relieved by natural sore throat remedies as well. Home treatments include – OTC pain relievers, throat lozenges, and warm salted water gargles. Aside from these usual home remedies some herbs are also known as natural sore throat remedies. These are Lemon, Apple Cider Vinegar, Cayenne, and Honey Tea, which are known home-made remedies for sore throat. Slippery Elm lozenges were also popular as a remedy for sore throats sold in drugstores in North America. Licorice tea is also a common ingredient in herbal teas for sore throat, though excessive longer-term use of Licorice may lead to development of side effects such as high blood pressure, swelling, and headaches. Marshmallow root tea, derived from a herb that grows in North America and Europe, has been used for centuries as a sore throat remedy by acting as mucilage that coats and soothes a sore throats. Throat sprays made from Sage and honeysuckle teas, commonly sold at Chinese herbal stores, are also known herbal sore throat remedies.
A doctor’s visit is essential to rule out a more serious condition, especially if serious signs and symptoms are accompanying the sore throat. Signs and symptoms that could possibly need more medical attention include sore throat with the occurrence of high fever, severe pain or difficulty swallowing or breathing, blood in saliva, sputum, or phlegm, rash, enlarged or tender lymph nodes in the neck, white or yellow patches or pus at the back of the throat, excessive drooling in children, exposure to a person who has been diagnosed with strep throat or mononucleosis if there is a reported outbreak in your community.