How to Relieve Sore Throats
There are few things more frustrating than having a sore throat. The pain that you have every time you do something as simple as swallowing is enough to frustrate even the most patient person. Many people find comfort in the fact that there are a few things that you can do at home to alleviate the pain associated with a sore throat.
When you are plagued with a sore throat it can be comforting to know that there are things that you can do from home that will assist with managing the pain that comes along with it.
- Gargle with salt water. This is a great option to not only help with the pain, but also to get rid of any bacteria that may be part of the underlying cause for the sore throat.
- Drink warm tea. Drinking a warm herbal tea helps to sooth the throat and allow you to function properly. It is important to drink the warm eat every few hours to keep the pain away.
- Drink an ice cold beverage. Some people have found that drinking ice cold lemonade or water with lemons in it can help to reduce the pain. This is a matter or preference as to whether you like to drink warm drinks or cold drinks.
- Suck on throat lozenges. Most throat lozenges have a numbing agent in them that allows them to numb the area in your throat that is giving you problems.
- Take an anti-inflammatory pill. There are many different types of anti-inflammatory pills, however the most common is ibuprofen. Taking this can help to reduce any swelling that may be causing the irritation to your throat.
- Suck on lemon drops. Many people have found that sucking on lemon drops can alleviate the soreness in their throat. It is unknown why this helps, but it is a favorite of many.
- Visit your doctor. While most sore throats will go away on their own within two or three days without medical treatment, if your throat remains sore for more than three days you should contact your doctor to help rule out anything that requires medical treatment such as strep throat.
- Take an antibiotic. If the doctor finds that the cause of the sore throat is a condition that will require medication, it is very important that you take the medication as it has been prescribed to clear up the infection.