Sore throats are not very serious in most cases, but they can become very annoying.. It is a burning or stinging sensation that may be accompanied by pain, especially when eating, drinking or swallowing saliva.
To deal with such sensation there are different solutions ranging from natural and traditional remedies to products that can be found in a pharmacy. Below we will see which are the best tips to alleviate this undesirable sensation of an irritated throat.
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10 ways to improve the symptoms of a scratchy throat
Having a scratchy throat can be due to a remarkable variety of causes. It is one of the usual symptoms of viral infections such as influenza, laryngitis or mononucleosis, but also bacterial infections that can give colds.
On the other hand, throat irritation can also be caused by too much exposure to irritants such as tobacco, environmental pollution or inhalation of certain chemicals. In either case there are remedies to soothe an irritated throat as we will see.
1. Drink more fluids
Not drinking enough fluids may be the cause of a scratchy throat.. Good hydration is essential for our whole organism to function well, and if this is not the case, our throat can also have problems.
When the throat stops producing enough mucus to lubricate itself, irritation may appear. It is advisable to drink between 1.5 and 2 liters of water a day to replenish fluids, especially in cases of flu.
2. Take propolis
A highly recommended natural remedy to combat throat irritation is propolis.. Bees store substances that contain natural antibiotics, capable of fighting bacteria that may be giving us problems.
On the other hand, propolis has other substances that have the property of regenerating tissues. A tablespoon of propolis 3 times a day will be an excellent natural remedy to improve your throat.
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3. Drinking a hot mint infusion with honey
Drinking a hot infusion of a plant such as mint and adding a spoonful of honey is a great measure.. Mint has analgesic properties and refreshes the throat, while honey is antiseptic and has a soothing and sedative effect. Therefore, an infusion of mint with honey cleans and purifies the throat, contributing to the relief of pain.
4. Making eucalyptus vapours
Eucalyptus is an Australian tree well known for its properties in combating respiratory diseases.. You can infuse its leaves and then drink the liquid, but there is also the possibility of making vapours. Inhaling the steam of the water with eucalyptus we will improve the condition of our throat, as we provide moisture and the beneficial properties of eucalyptus leaves.
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5. Gargling with sea salt
Gargling with sea salt is an excellent method to take care of our throat.. Sea salt soothes and helps to recover the inflamed tissue, besides having antiseptic properties. To do so, it is necessary to heat water with the salt and gargle with the solution at a temperature not too hot, rather at room temperature. A couple of times a day is enough.
6. Take candies and lozenges
Sweets and lozenges make the production of saliva easier when sucking them.. This lubricates the throat and soothes irritation. In addition, many of them contain anesthetics or local anti-inflammatory drugs in their formula, such as benzydamine. On the other hand, candies or lozenges that include ingredients such as menthol or eucalyptus are perfect to improve throat sensation.
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7. Avoiding gastric reflux
Mucosal irritation can sometimes be caused by acid reflux from the stomach.. There is increasing evidence of this cause even though the person may not be aware of the reflux. There is the so-called “silent reflux” and nocturnal reflux. Thus, certain foods should be avoided (such as citrus fruits, pineapple, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods) and not eating too much before going to bed.
8. Stay away from irritating substances
Coffee, alcohol or tobacco are substances that can take their toll on the throat.. These substances produce oral dryness and this can lead to a sore throat. On the other hand, there are people who are exposed to different irritants perhaps because of their profession. For example, painters inhale volatile chemicals present in paint every day.
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9. Not breathing too much with the mouth
There are some people who have gotten into the bad habit of breathing too much through their mouth even when sleeping.. Normally you should breathe through the nose, or if for example we do sports, it is normal to inhale air through the nose and exhale through the mouth. When we stop using the nose, the throat can suffer more dryness and throat irritation can appear.
10. Protect your voice
Throat irritation can also be caused by overexertion of the vocal cords.. There are singers who are affected by this problem at some point in their professional career. An overloaded voice is hoarser than usual, and we must let it rest and hydrate our throat well. It is important not to shout and to relax the throat when speaking.
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Bibliographical references
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Craker, L. E. and Simon, J. E. (1986). Herbs, Spices, and Medicinal Plants. Recent Advances in Botany, Horticulture, and Pharmacology. Food Products Press.
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Jones, Roger (2004). Oxford Textbook of Primary Medical Care. Oxford University Press.
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Kahrilas, PJ (2008). Clinical practice. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. New England Journal of Medicine, 359 (16), 1700-1707.
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Rutter, Paul Professor; Newby, David (2015). Community Pharmacy ANZ: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment. Elsevier Health Sciences.
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Schauenberg, P. (1980). Guia de las plantas medicinales. : Omega.