People suffering from a sore throat can use homemade remedies or over-the-counter medications to relieve their discomfort. They might also find that consuming warm foods or liquids can provide sore throat relief. In cases where the throat is severely inflamed, the affected person may need to consult a physician.
A number of home remedies are thought to provide sore throat relief. One of the more common treatments is gargling with warm salt water two or three times daily. The salt is believed to help with cleansing the tonsils and lining of the throat, while the warm water can soothe the area and aid in healing.
Many people like to add a splash of apple cider vinegar to the warm salt water mixture. When used as a gargle, this concoction will sometimes cause a slight stinging sensation in the mouth and throat. This is normal and usually means the vinegar is working to kill bacteria. In addition to using apple cider vinegar for making mouthwash, many also drink a mixture of this product and honey, to help relieve cold and sore throat symptoms.
Spices like garlic or cayenne pepper might also provide sore throat relief. They can be added to foods when cooking or taken as supplements. Cayenne pepper is sometimes mixed with boiling water to make a tonic. A person suffering from a sore throat could drink this liquid, which is thought to also help clear sinus passages.
Warm liquids are often believed to thin mucous in the chest and lungs, which can provide sore throat relief as well. Herbal tea sweetened with honey is often used for this purpose. Hot soups, especially those made with chicken broth, can also help relieve sore throats and might also be effective in clearing congested sinus passages.
People who are wary of trying a natural treatment can find a number options available at their local pharmacy. These might include sore throat sprays, lozenges, menthol cream, cough drops, or cough syrup. Some of these drugs could interact with other medications or have harmful side effects, however. Users should read the precautions listed on the product's package carefully before using.
If the affected person has a high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or glands that are infected, he may need to consult a physician. Often these are signs of a more serious illness that may require the use of antibiotics to cure. People who visit a doctor should advise him of all the remedies used for sore throat relief.
A sore throat is typically a minor illness that can easily be treated at home. There are many treatment options that are generally easy and inexpensive to use. In general, these can help a person to feel better after only a few uses.
