A sore throat is a broad term primarily used by ordinary people to describe pain, Irritation or itchiness in the throat; you may feel pain in your back throat while swallowing. It can be felt before you get cold or it can manifest as a side effect due to straining of vocal cords. Medically the structure included in this broad term sore throat are:
- Pharynx which can be affected by a condition called pharyngitis
- Tonsils and affecting it will cause tonsillitis
- Larynx which if affected referred as laryngitis
- Epiglottis which is rare of all and infecting it is termed as epiglottitis.
Causes Of Sore Throat
You can have a sore throat due to a wide range of causative factors among which commonly affecting organisms are viruses and bacteria. It is common for both children and adults. We are enlisting some common causes of a sore throat.
· Viral Infection
Mostly sore throat causing organisms are viruses. A sore throat is the first symptom of viral infection. Others being the runny nose, nasal congestion, etc.
· Bacterial Infection
Next common cause of a sore throat is infections caused by bacteria. Strep throat is most common.
· GERD
A medical condition gastroesophageal reflux diseases can cause a sore throat often as acid present in the stomach can reflux back till throat causing symptoms of a sore throat.
· Environmental Factors
These factors can be allergens to which a person is allergic like someone is allergic to pollen, mold than you’ll have allergic symptoms first as post nasal drip which can trigger a sore throat.
Smoking is another factor which plays a role in a persistent sore throat due to harmful substances present in smoke.
If you are living in an area of persistent dry air, you can have a feeling of the itchy and painful throat.
Sore Throat Treatment
The treatment heading can further be classified as medical treatment and natural remedies for a sore throat. Many people stay away from medicines because every medicine has its side effect which can be severed in some individuals while others don’t get side effects. Commonly sore throat medical treatment include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and some anti-allergics. But we are not going in the details of medical management. We will tell you the home remedies for sore throat.
We are going to tell you how you can get sore throat relief by trying some commonly available things at home. Home remedies don’t put you up to cope with any side effects. These are safe to use anytime and at any age. You can use them regularly too to protect yourself from infections. Natural remedies improve your body immunity, and diseases can’t attack you easily.
Sore Throat Remedies
You’ll find some home remedies for sore throat over the internet. But we will tell you the most effective and best remedies for a sore throat which will give you relief quickly.
1. Normal Saline Water Gargles
One of the best remedies for a sore throat is mixing ¼ teaspoon of salt in half glass of warm water and gargle with this solution three times a day. It has natural healing strength, it is going to neutralize the acidic environment produced by viruses and bacteria in the throat and will minimize the inflammation (redness, swelling, pain). You’ll feel better immediately after gargles as it has soothing effect on your throat. But try to gargle only and not swallow the saline solution. Make new fresh solution every time you want to gargle.
2. Baking Soda Water Gargles
Next in home remedies for sore throat is using baking soda. While saltwater is commonly used but according to National Cancer Institute combination of ¼ teaspoon baking soda, 1 cup warm water and ¼ teaspoon of salt in more effective in killing bacteria and relieving sore throat symptoms. Also, prevent the further growth of infection-causing organisms. Recommended gargling with this solution after every three hours.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Most of you know ACV is one of the ingredients commonly used in home remedies and it can also be used as home remedies for sore throat. It has an antimicrobial effect, and because of its acidic nature, it helps bacteria to stop growing and alleviate symptoms of a sore throat. Try gargling with 1-2 tablespoons of ACV in 1 cup of warm water.
You can also have it by mixing ¼ cup of ACV and ¼ cup of honey and take one tablespoon every 3-4 hours.
4. Honey Ginger And Lemon In Water
Make a cup of hot liquid by mixing one teaspoon of powdered ginger and honey in one cup of water and squeeze the half lemon into it. Try to drink as hot as tolerable. It has antibacterial effects plus it will soothe your throat.
5. Water And Turmeric
Next effective thing in home remedies for sore throat is turmeric powder. It is one of the natural substance with strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Mix half teaspoon of turmeric powder in one cup of warm water also add a half teaspoon of salt and gargle with this solution.
6. Clove
Another thing in natural remedies for a sore throat is clove. Cloves have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which can help to soothe and heal infected throat. You can make its tea and drink with added honey, or you can have a combination of powdered cloves in warm water and gargle with it. It is effective in both forms.
7. Licorice
Licorice root is found to be effective in eliminating cough and sore throat. Mix 1 teaspoon of licorice syrup in half cup of warm water and gargle with it.
Sore Throat Remedies For Kids
Kids are vulnerable to infections and giving high-dose antibiotics is also not the safe option for treating sore throat. Home remedies for a sore throat are best, safe and effective for managing sore throat in kids. Kids can’t-do gargles or drink teas. Also, it is not advisable to give honey to children younger than one year of age. So we are enlisting some effective home remedies for sore throat for kids.
- Try to make child’s room humid because moist air can alleviate sore throat symptoms.
- Give plenty of fluids to keep the child well hydrated. Avoid citrus drinks.
- Make child rest as much as possible.
- Give kids home-made soups to soothe the throat.
And if the child is above five years of age you can try from above-mentioned home remedies for sore throat.