SORE THROAT

Your throat is only about six to eight inches long, but when it’s raw and burning it can feel like it goes on for mile after painful mile.

A sore throat usually means you have a cold or the flu. It can also be caused by dry air, pollution, or simply hooting and hollering too loud at a football game. When you’re sick, of course, it may take a few days before your throat is entirely back to normal. But here are many ways to get quick relief.

Reach for tea and honey. Every grandmother knows this remedy. Any warm beverage can make a sore throat feel better, but tea is especially good because it contains compounds called tannins, which can ease the irritation. Add honey to tea to coat your throat with a soft, soothing, protective layer. Try caffeine-free herbal teas for soothing relief that tastes good, too.

Get more vitamin C. The body uses vitamin C for wound healing, and getting more of this nutrient when you have a sore, scratchy throat may help it to heal more quickly. The Recommended Daily Value for vitamin C is sixty milligrams. But when you have a sore throat because of a cold or the flu, many doctors recommend getting more – up to 500 or 1000 milligrams a day.

************************************************************
WHEN TO SEE THE DOCTOR

It’s important to call your doctor when your throat stays sore – or is getting
worse – for more than a few days. You should also call your doctor if your
sore throat is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, achy joints,
or a rash, or if you’ve lost your voice.
*************************************************************

Have a soothing gargle. This traditional remedy can be very effective. Add a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and gargle away. You’ll get relief almost instantly, and you can repeat this as often as it seems to help.

Breathe soothing moisture. A sore throat is usually a dry, scratchy throat. Breathing in moisture – either by taking a long steamy shower or simply plugging in a humidifier – will help protect the delicate linings inside the throat and make them less irritated.

Pause for a moment of silence. Giving your voice a rest will help ease a sore throat by reducing strain on the vocal cords. You don’t have to take a vow of silence, but simply talking less – and not shouting – for a few days can make a big difference.

Take some aspirin. One reason throats get sore is that the irritated tissues get inflamed and swollen. Taking aspirin will help reduce the inflammation, and also help block the production of chemicals in the body that contribute to the pain. Don’t give aspirin to children with sore throats, however, because it increases the risk for a serious neurological problem called Reye’s Syndrome. Give children acetaminophen, such as Metacin, instead.