Causes of Sore Throat

Causes of Sore Throat

A sore throat may include irritation, scratchiness, or pain. Such symptoms often become worse when you swallow. Viral infections, including the flu and Common cold, are the most common culprit, while other causes like injuries also can cause such pain. Treatment for this problem is often based on the cause.

Viral Infections
Along with the common cold, other viral infections can cause a sore throat. Such infections might include Laryngitis, herpAngina, and Mononucleosis. Influenza and Mumps can also result in a sore throat. An infection that occurs in the voice box, typically referred to as laryngitis, can also cause a sore throat.

Bacterial Infections
Bacterial infections can stem from a variety of sources. If the tonsils, uvula, or epiglottis is inflamed, one's throat may feel sore. Inflammation in the adenoids may also result in a sore throat. Sexually transmitted diseases, including Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, can also result in a sore throat. A sore throat can also result from Strep throat, which is caused by a bacterial infection and does not typically include a cough or congestion.

Irritants or Injuries
If a sore throat persists for longer than one week, the cause may be related to an injury or irritant. Common examples of throat irritations may include air pollution, smoking, or humidity. Nasal drainage can also result in a throat irritation. If you breathe through your mouth when you have a stuffy nose or allergies, you may also experience a sore throat. Individuals who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease may also experience problems with stomach acid making its way into the throat, which can result in a sore throat. Also sometimes known as GERD, this condition typically includes Heartburn, but it is important to note that in some instances, the only symptom of this condition may be a sore throat. Cuts or punctures to the back of the throat can also cause a sore throat. Chronic fatigue syndrome often results in significant tiredness and can include a variety of symptoms, including sore throat.

Treatment Suggestions
Sore throat treatments often depend on the root cause. At-home treatments can often be used to provide relief from a sore throat. Due to the fact that sore throats are most commonly caused by viral illnesses, antibiotics should not be used. This is because antibiotics do not actually change the progression of viral infections. If you use antibiotics unnecessarily, you could be at risk for an allergic reaction and related side effects, including rashes, Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and Yeast Infections. Antibiotics have also been known to kill the beneficial bacteria that live inside the intestinal tract.

For home remedies to soothe sore throat, see

White Tongue and Sore Throat: Causes and Treatments

White Tongue and Sore Throat: Causes and Treatments The mouth and throat are of immense important in that every nutrient you need goes in through them. You have your vocal cords in the throat, which together with the tongue help you talk. Any oral infection can affect these areas and cause serious pain. Many people find them in trouble with white tongue, sore throat, especially during the winters. What exactly causes this?

Causes of White Tongue and Sore Throat
White tongue, or a coated tongue, is the result of fungi or bacteria colonizing on the surface of the tongue. This leads to the entrapment of the dead cells of the tongue, which gives your tongue a white appearance. You may also develop a sore throat with bumps on back of tongue.

1. Oral Thrush
Caused by Candida albicans, this oral infection leads to the development of fungi inside the lining of your mouth. You also notice white cream lesions on the tongue or inner cheeks. These sores can be extremely painful and even start to bleed when you scrape them. The infection can also affect the tonsils, back of the throat, gums, and the roof of the mouth. Anyone can get this infection at any age. Oral Thrush usually indicates low immunity, which could be the result of an underlying medical condition or excessive intake of antibiotics. Some predisposing factors are HIV, Diabetes, antiCancer treatment drugs, and birth control pills.

2. Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia may well be the reason why you have developed a white tongue, sore throat. In this condition, you develop white thick patches on your tongue, gums, and even inside of the cheek. These patches are usually the outcome of thickening of epidermal layer, but you can develop two types of leukoplakia – standard leukoplakia and hairy leukoplakia.

• Standard leukoplakia is the outcome of chronic use of tobacco. Chewing tobacco also results in the same and causes those white patches to appear in the area where you keep the tobacco. Excessive use of alcohol may also contribute to the development of standard leukoplakia.


• Hairy leukoplakia is the result of an infection caused by a virus called Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Once you become infected, the virus stays in your body and waits for the times when your immunity is low. The virus reactivates when you have a weak immune system and causes conditions like leukoplakia.

3. Bacterial Infection
Bacterial infections can lead to Strep throat and Sinus Infection, which in turn can leave you with a white tongue and sore throat. You may have other symptoms as well. For instance, someone with a sinus infection may also experience post-nasal drip, nasal discharge, and Nasal Congestion, along with pressure or pain around the eyes, nose, and head. A fever may also be present. Similarly, you develop a Swollen Tongue and lymph nodes with redness on the tonsils when you have a strep throat. You usually need medical attention to treat both conditions.

4. Virus Infection
You can develop a white tongue, sore throat and other symptoms when you HIV or AIDS. This usually happens because these conditions weaken your immune system, leaving you vulnerable to yeast or fungal infections. While there is no cure available for AIDS or HIV, it is possible to slow down the progression of HIV when diagnosed within 72 hours of exposure.

5. Other Causes
You may also develop a white tongue with sore throat because of poor oral hygiene, Dehydration, and high fever. Mouth breathing, dry mouth, and artificial dentures may also contribute to the same problem.

What to Do
There are a number of ways available to deal with your white tongue. Sometimes, lifestyle changes and home remedies are enough to resolve the issue, but you may also need medical attention when you have a bacterial infection. Here are a few things to try for white tongue:

• Gargle with a saline solution. Take some Kosher salt or sea salt and mix it in water. You have a homemade mouthwash ready. First, wash your mouth with the solution, then use some salt to brush your teeth, and finally brush your tongue as well.


• Try glycerin. Using this soft natural substance on your tongue helps eliminate white patches. It also whitens the teeth and is very soothing for your tongue.


• Make use of acidophilus. It creates a protective layer on your tongue to prevent white tongue. As it is also a probiotic, it boosts your digestive system as well.


• Eat yogurt to treat oral Yeast Infections. This really works great if candida is the cause of your white tongue.


• Make use of hydrogen peroxide. It works because it has antiseptic and antibacterial properties. It eliminates infections and brings your tongue back in its normal condition.

What's more, you should drink plenty of water daily and use a tongue scraper regularly to lower your risk of developing any white patches on your tongue.

Besides white tongue sore throat should also be carefully managed.It is important to identify the underlying cause first. However, you can try some home remedies to make you feel better. For instance:

• Gargle with salt water to alleviate pain and swelling.


• Be sure to increase your fluid intake to stay hydrated.


• Use a humidifier if possible to keep your throat and air passages moist.


• Drink hot fluids such as soup and tea to relieve throat irritation.


• Quit smoking and stay away from other tobacco products.


• Mix some honey in warm water and drink it for pain relief.


• Mix licorice root with gargle solution and use it to relieve pain and swelling.


• Make use of OTC throat lozenges that contain menthol to relieve irritation and soreness.


• Try OTC pain medications such as ibuprofen to relief pain and lower fever.

19 Natural Sore Throat Home Remedies

19 Natural Sore Throat Home Remedies






Sore throat is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the throat. It can occur due to bacterial infection or viral infection. Sore throat can cause discomfort in eating and swallowing. Medical conditions like fever, Common cold, Laryngitis, infections like Influenza, Mumps and herpAngina can cause sore throat. Streptococcus infection, Tonsillitis">Tonsillitis, epiglottises, and sexually transmitted diseases can cause sore throat. For some people sore throat can be caused due to allergies, and reflux disease like GERD can cause sore throat.

1. Rinsing With Salt Water

Most of the cases of sore throat can get resolved if you simply gargle with lukewarm water. Add 1-2 tsp of table salt in a cup of lukewarm water. Now gargle this solution such that the salt water touches your throat. Salt is very effective in relieving the sore throat helping in neutralizing the acidity in the throat. Prepare fresh salt water and heat it to the extent you can tolerate the heat in your throat. Repeat this simple home remedy 4-5 times a day to get rid of sore throat. Salt water helps in balancing the irritated Mucus membrane and reduces swelling caused by throat infection. It really shrinks down the swollen cell in turn reducing pain and inflammation.

2. Lemon Juice

Add few drops of lemon juice in a cup of warm water and gargle it thoroughly. Virus and bacteria may not be able to tolerate the strong acidity of lemon and would perish shortly. Lemon also helps in repairing the injured membrane and reducing swelling.

3. Ginger and Lemon

Crush some pieces of ginger, add few drops of honey and lemon and mix it in a cup of hot water. Drink this juice slowly. As the juice enters your throat, it would soothe the passage. Hone and lemon are capable of reducing inflammation and irritation in the throat caused by infection. Ginger is an effective remedy for sore throat.

4. Sage With Water

Mix 1 tsp of sage, little brown sugar and few drops of vinegar in a cup of hot water. By drinking this solution for 2-3 days sore throat can be cured.

5. Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is enriched with chlorophyll which is effective in preventing the growth of bacteria. You can do gargling with wheatgrass juice for few minutes which can create amazing benefits. This is good for improving your breath and to remove bacterial growth in the mouth.

6. Clove Rinse

Crush some pieces of clove and add hot water to it. Rinse this mixture for few minutes which can reduce pain and inflammation.

7. Simple Green Tea

Green tea is not only for drinking but for gargling also. Green tea has the natural power of healing any inflammation and cure infection. It can cause smoothening effect on your sore throat.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

Germs like bacteria or virus would die due to the high acidity of apple cider vinegar solution. You can rinse your mouth with 1 tsp of this solution added with little salt. You can repeat gargling this solution many times a day. For better effect, you can even add few drops of honey in this mixture.

9. Water and Echinacea Herb

Echinacea is an excellent agent for killing virus that causes sore throat. Add a handful of Echinacea in hot water and gargle this solution for 3-4 times a day. This is effective for boosting your immune system that would trigger hormones to fight sore throat.

10. Myrrh and Water

Mix few drops of myrrh in hot water and rinse it thoroughly in your throat. Myrrh is effective in reducing inflammation and is a good antiseptic to fight infection.

11. Marshmallow Root

Crush some pieces of marshmallow root and add in a cup of water. Boil it for few minutes and allow it to settle for an hour. Now strain the water and drink it. This special herb is effective in soothing the inflamed mucus membranes of your throat. Repeat this for 2-3 days many times a day and you are sure to get relief from sore throat.

12. Steaming Therapy

This is a valid easy home remedy for sore throat. Fill a large bowl with hot water and lean over it and cover your head with a bath towel to inhale the steam. It would be better if you could add few drops of eucalyptus oil in this water. This simple therapy can give you quick relief from sinus, Headache and sore throat.

13. Honey With Pepper

Add about a tsp of Cayenne pepper powder into a cup of boiling water. You can add few drops of honey to counteract the taste of pepper. Drink it slowly when it becomes lukewarm. You can repeat drinking this easy solution for the entire day as and when required. Honey can provide you relief from soreness and pepper can reduce the pain and stiffness from your throat.

14. Honeysuckle Flowers and Leaves

Take few leaves and flowers of honeysuckle (fresh ones) and add them in a cup of boiling water. Boil it for few minutes and strain it before drinking. This is an effective home remedy for sore throat. You can add a tsp of honey for taste. Honeysuckle leaves are available in TCM shops and supermarkets.

15. Clove

Spice like clove is useful in reducing toothache and sore throat. Clove contains Eugenol which is an effective anti-inflammatory agent reducing pain. Gently chew 2-3 pieces of clove and suck them slowly which can help in numbing the throat pain.

16. Gargling Hydrogen Peroxide Solution

Add a tsp of hydrogen peroxide to a cup of boiling water and allow it to become warm. Now keep gargling this liquid until you feel better in your throat.

17. Pomegranate Tea

Take fresh pieces of pomegranate and boil the rinds for 10 minutes in a cup of water. Once it gets warm you can drink this tea or gargle the liquid for few seconds.

18. Chamomile Tea

Sore throat can be treated easily with chamomile tea. Add 1 tsp of chamomile tea in a cup of boiling water and boil it for few minutes. Strain this liquid and drink slowly. This can reduce the throat pain gradually. Repeat this easy remedy many times to get quick relief.

19. Ginger Tea

Cut fresh pieces of ginger and drop it in boiling water. Allow it to boil for few minutes. Now strain this before sipping it slowly. Sore throat is gone forever by this home remedy.

Tips For Prevention

• Don’t drink ice cold water or juices. This can irritate the soft mucus membrane of your throat causing sore throat.


• Similarly avoid having hot tea or coffee. Consider drinking it warm.


• Even when you get emotional or excited don’t shout at the peak of your voice. This can affect the balance of vocal cord causing sore throat.

Sore Throat for 3 Days or More

Sore Throat for 3 Days or More


If you have sore throat, it is usually an indication of getting a cold. When it is due to this reason, it resolves within a day or two and goes away. The other symptoms of cold like runny nose, congestion follow this symptom. But what should you do when you have sore throat for 3 days or more? What could be its causes? Read on to find out.

What Causes Your Sore Throat?
Usually sore throat is caused by an infection either by virus or bacteria. When it is caused by a virus, it is not required to be shown at a clinic; however, bacterial infection should be checked. This is because it can cause streptococci and is known as Strep Throat. However, the percentage of this is quite less, only 1 of every 10 adults who visit the clinic are diagnosed with strep throat. This usually causes a sore throat for 3 days or more.

How to Tell Whether Sore Throat Is Caused by Virus or Strep Throat?
Sore throat caused due to virus will have the following symptoms:

• Runny nose along with itchy and red eyes


• Cough, hoarse voice


• Pain in the top or roof portion of mouth


• Chest congestion


• Cold symptoms likemild head and body ache along with fever

When you have sore throat for 3 days, it can also be caused by streptococcus bacteria, which can also cause Tonsillitis. It will be persistent and severe and symptoms like runny nose, cough or itchy and red eyes won’t show. The symptoms can be seen including:

• Fever of over 100.4°F or 38°C


• Swollen Glands In Neck along with severe throat pain

When to See a Doctor
It is essential that you consult a doctor when you have sore throat along with the following symptoms:

• Difficulty in breathing


• Swollen Tongue or swelling in neck


• Drooling, because you are unable to swallow


• Skin rash, Stiff Neck


• Difficulty in opening the mouth


• Any underlying condition or medication that you are taking which can impair the immune system


• Fever over 100.4°F or 38°C

Treatment for Sore Throat
For sore throat caused by viral infction
If you have sore throat for 3 days or more, and it is viral, you should not take antibiotics. They will last for 4-5 days, during which time medication can be taken to deal with the pain.

Pain medication like Acetaminophen, NSAids can be taken to relieve pain. Warm salt water gargles can be done to deal with pain. Some sprays containing local anesthetic can be used for sore throat. Lozenges or cough drops also contain topical anesthetics which help in relieving dryness and gives pain relief. They give relief for longer duration as compared to sprays and gargling. Drinking warm or cold beverage is also helpful for some. Various alternative therapies are also recommended on websites, but they can have side effects.

For sore throat caused bystreptococcus
Sore throat caused due to streptococcus usually gets resolved within 2-5 days; however, antibiotics should be taken if the test for throat culture comes positive. Usually the preferred treatment is penicillin or a derived antibiotic. It is supposed to be taken for 10 days, 2-4 times daily. To ensure that the infection is completely eliminated, entire course of medication should be taken. For those allergic to penicillin, other medicine is given. Check with the doctor if symptoms do not improve within 3-4 days of taking the medicine.

Home Remedies:

Take rest: Try get as much sleep as possible, during the day as well. You should try to get almost around 11-13 hours of sleep when you have the symptoms of sore throat.

Get plenty of fluids: Fluids help in thinning the secretions and the warm liquid helps to soothe the sore throat. You should target to drink around 2.2 to 3 l of water each day. Avoid having over 5 cups of coffee, since it is a diuretic. Drink fluids with electrolytes.

Take shower twice a day: A warm, steamy shower will help in cleaning the body, make you feel fresh. The steam will help in clearing and soothing the throat.

Include vitamin C: Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant which helps in protecting the body from free radicals. It might not have a direct impact on the sore throat, but it is helpful.

Drink garlic tea: Garlic is a natural anti-biotic agent which will help in dealing with the sore throat. Boil water with garlic pieces, remove the pieces and then add a tea bag with some sweetener.

Sore Throat Prevention
You can prevent an infection from spreading by washing hands thoroughly and dry them with a clean towel. If there is no access to hand wash, you can use alcohol based hand rubs. Hand rubs are available in liquid form or as wipes and are convenient. Ensure that you wash your hands after coughing, Sneezing or blowing your nose. If you are with a sick person, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. This will help in preventing the infection from spreading. Use tissues and discard them after using. Do not sneeze or cough on sleeves, as they can spread infection.

Sore Throat, Can't Swallow! What to Do?

Sore Throat, Can't Swallow! What to Do?

Pharyngitis or sore throat is a common issue usually caused by an infection. Sometimes, soreness is the only symptom of an infection in the throat, but it is possible to experience other issues such as mild cough, a hoarse voice, Headache, fever, fatigue and swelling of the glands in the neck as well. Soreness in your throat can be so severe that you may not be able to swallow anything. This makes many people wonder how to deal with the sore throat that prevents them to swallow. While soreness usually goes away in about a week or so, you can take certain steps to make your condition more manageable.

Sore Throat, Can't Swallow, Why?
You may experience soreness in your throat for many different reasons. For instance:

1. Colds
One of the most common reasons of developing sore throat is that you have caught cold. Other viral infections in the respiratory system can also lead to sore throat, hoarseness, cough, Nasal Congestion and other respiratory problems.

2. Strep Throat
Your sore throat may be due to an infection caused by the streptococcus bacteria. Being the underlying cause of sore throats in 10-20 % patients, the condition is called strep throat or streptococcal pharyngitis. You will need antibiotics to clear the infection.

3. Mono
Young adults may develop soreness due to infectious Mononucleosis. If you have this infection, you may also have other symptoms such as fever and Swollen Lymph Nodes. No antibiotic treatment is available for this infection.

4. Other Causes
In addition, you may have a sore throat due to other common causes, including post-nasal drip, smoking, dry air and yelling. In rare cases, Gonorrhea and some other sexually transmitted diseases can cause pharyngitis.

Sore Throat, Can't Swallow, What to Do
You may also want to learn what you can do to find some relief. Here are some steps to take:

1. Gargle with Salt Water
Add a teaspoon of salt to 8 ounces of water and gargle with it for a few seconds. Be sure to spit it out after you have gargled for a few seconds. This will soothe your irritated throat and help pull the Mucus out of your inflamed tissue.

2. Take Lozenge
Look for OTC throat lozenges with menthol. These lozenges work mainly due to menthol that numb the tissue in your throat and relieves soreness. You can also try cough drops or peppermint candies to relieve burning and pain sensations. While cough drops do work, their effect will not last longer than lozenges. Do not give cough drops or lozenges to young children to prevent choking.

3. Keep Yourself Hydrated
You need to drink plenty of water and other beverages to keep yourself from feeling dehydrated. If you become dehydrated, your body will not produce enough mucus and saliva, which in turn will aggravate soreness and irritation in your throat.

4. Drink Honey Tea
Sore throat, can't swallow? Try honey tea! A cup of tea that contains honey will help soothe your irritated throat. It also helps keep you hydrated and suppresses cough as well.

5. Turn on the Humidifier
Install one if you do not already have it in your home. A humidifier really helps when you often deal with throat soreness or have allergies. Breathing in moist air goes a long way in relieving swelling and soreness.

6. Inhale Steam
If you do not have a humidifier in your home, do not worry. Try steam inhalation instead. Simply run very hot water in your sink, bend over it, and take slow, deep breaths. Similarly, you can take a warm shower and let the water run for a while before stepping in the bathroom. Take deep breaths to ease sore throat.

7. Take OTC Medicines
Along with lozenges, you can also take OTC medicines to treat throat infections. If your sore throat is due to a viral infection, antibiotics will not work. You can take OTC medicines to treat the symptoms while your body clears the infection on its own. You can take anti-inflammatory medicines such as Aleve or Advil to reduce swelling in your throat. Ibuprofen is also effective, but you should avoid it if you have a kidney disease or stomach problems.

Do You Need Antibiotics?
Antibiotics are not going to work if you have a viral infection. Your doctor may order a test to confirm if you have a bacterial or viral infection. Even if you have a bacterial infection, you do not always need to take antibiotics. In most cases, you just have to follow some home remedies, take OTC medicines and get enough rest to let your immune system do its job. Taking antibiotics may accelerate recovery, but you may have to deal with certain side effects, such as rash, Diarrhea, feeling sick and stomach upsets.

However, your doctor may decide by having a closer look at your sore throat first. They may decide to give you antibiotics if you have puss on the tonsils, tender lymph nodes high temperature.

When to See a Doctor
Sore throat, can't swallow? While you usually start feeling better in a week or so, you may want to call your doctor if you have the following issues. Talk to your doctor immediately if:

• You experience breathing difficulties.


• You feel very sick or weak.


• You have a fever of 103 °F or higher.


• You notice signs of Dehydration, such as dry mouth, lightheadedness, etc.


• You have difficulty swallowing and cannot even open mouth completely.

You should visit your doctor within 24 hours if:

• You have severe pain in your throat.


• You have pus in the back of your throat with fever.


• You have Sinus Pain with earache.

It is important to consult with your doctor if your sore throat lasts longer than 4 days, your fever persists for 3 days, or you have a history of having Rheumatic Fever. If you have been exposed to Strep in the past couple of weeks, be sure to contact your doctor immediately after having a sore throat. Moreover, people with compromised immune system due to Cancer chemotherapy, Hiv positive or chronic steroid treatment should not take sore throat lightly and seek immediately medical attention.

Sore Throat That Won't Go Away

Sore Throat That Won't Go Away

It is hard to find someone who has never experienced a sore throat at some point in life. Dealing with scratching, itching, and burning is never fun, but it becomes even more annoying when these symptoms just won't go away. Most people find relief by taking some home care measures, but others will continue to feel miserable. Keep reading to find out more about the causes of a sore throat that won't go awayand things you can do about it.

What Causes Sore Throat That Won't Go Away?
There can be a number of different reasons why you have acontinuous sore throat symptom.Here are a few of them for your understanding:

1. Viral Causes
Your may have a viral infection that's making things miserable for you, and the most common two are cold and Mononucleosis.

• Cold: Cold will start with one symptom but will gradually become worse. You will experience symptoms such as cough, watery eyes, Sneezing, slight Headaches, mild temperature, and body aches. A sore throat often comes together with those symptoms. Cold usually lasts from a couple of days to a week, but coughing may continue for another couple of weeks. When you get cold, some kind of Asthma can be formed in one's chest making people feel tight while wheezing, which can be relieved with inhalers.


• Mononucleosis: Your sore throat that won't go away could be due to mononucleosis. It continues to affect you for at least 10 days, but you may continue to feel weak until 12 weeks. You will also notice some other symptoms, such as swollen and sore armpit, lymph nodes, and tonsils. You may also have a swollen liver and even find some grayish patches on your tonsils. Fluids, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications will help relieve your symptoms a bit.

2. Bacterial Causes
Your sore throat could be due to a bacterial infection. This may happen due to a Strep Throat or Tonsillitis.

• ŸStrep throat: You will experience symptoms such as swollen neck glands, fever, and white patches on tonsils. You won't have coughing. Strep throat affects you all of a sudden and makes your throat turn into a beefy red color.


• Tonsillitis: A bacterial infection can lead to Swollen Tonsils with or without white patches on them. You may have to remove your tonsils if tonsillitis happens several times during a year. Typical symptoms of tonsillitis include fever, chills, trouble swallowing, sore throat, ear pain, loss of voice, and bad breath.

3. Other Causes
In addition to bacterial and viral causes, there are some other things can cause sore throat on you.

• ŸAllergies: The most common Allergy symptom is a runny nose with Nasal Congestion. Sinus congestion may also lead to headaches that become worse when you lie down.


• Reflux: Your sore throat could be due to reflux, a condition in which acid or food moves up the esophagus. Avoiding spicy foods and eating smaller meals may help in this case.


• Exposure to dry air or smoke: Working in an environment full of dry air or tobacco smoke may also lead to sore throat that won't go away.

How to Relieve Sore Throat That Won't Go Away
You can try certain home remedies and tricks to relieve sore throat. These remedies may or may not work depending on the exact cause of your sore throat. Still, it is worth taking these homecare measures for relief.

Gargle with saline water. Simply add some salt in a cup of water and gargle. This will alleviate the discomfort associated with your sore throat.

Using a lozenge may also help because it contains menthol that numbs the tissue in your throat. Lozenges will provide temporary relief though. Don't give lozenges to young children because they are a choking hazard.

Add some honey to your regular tea and drink it slowly to soothe your irritated throat. Honey is also a cough suppressant, so you may want to use a drop of it the next time your throat starts to tickle.

Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water when you're dealing with a sore throat that won't go away. Drinking water helps to keep your throat lubricated and reduces inflammation.

Have a humidifier installed in your room if you always have to deal with an irritated throat. Moist air will soothe swollen tissues in your throat and nose. A humidifier adds moisture to your room and provides you with humid air to relieve dryness in your throat.

Take a steam shower. It is a great alternative to spend time in a room equipped with a humidifier. Turn on hot water in your bath and stay out for some time. Then, enter your bathroom and take deep breaths. You can also fill a sink with hot water and inhale steam to ease your sore throat.

Try over-the-counter pain relievers for viral infections. Some good choices include Aleve and Advil, both of which are anti-inflammatory medicines and offer some relief from pain.

Take antibiotics for relief. When other remedies don't work and there is a bacterial infection, you will have to take antibiotics for relief. Penicillin and erythromycin are the most common options here. Antibiotics will prove effective if the underlying cause of soreness is a strep throat. Be sure to complete the entire course of your antibiotics and don't stop using it even when you feel better after a couple of days.

Go see your doctor if your sore throat becomes worse even after taking all other homecare measures. Your doctor will check your symptoms and help diagnose the underlying cause of your sore throat to fix the issue.

Sore Throat After Surgery

Sore Throat After Surgery

It is very common for patients to complain of sore throat after surgery. The most probable cause behind this postoperative complaint is anesthesia, which is administered to anyone going through a surgical procedure. The incidence of sore throat varies considerably depending on the method used to administer anesthesia.

The occurrence of sore throat after surgery varies between 14.4% and 50% for those who were given anesthesia through tracheal intubation. These figures dropped significantly for those who were anesthetized using laryngeal mask insertion; the incidence of sore throat, as reported by patients, ranges from 5.8% to 34% in this case. This significant variation in figures is primarily due to different skills and techniques used by anesthetists.

Why Would I Have Sore Throat After Surgery?
It is imperative for every anesthetist to vigilantly monitor and regulate a patient's breathing pattern while the patient is undergoing surgery. If the patient is provided external support while breathing, he is much more likely to suffer from a sore, scratchy throat once the operation is completed. However, not all patients need external assistance; some are able to breathe on their own. For those who are unable to do so and for those undergoing surgeries related to the abdomen or chest, intervention is necessary.

The two most widely used methods of monitoring and controlling a patient's breathing are insertion of a breathing tube or a laryngeal mask airway (LMA).

Use of Breathing Tube
Insertion of a breathing tube or intubation is the most common way of administering anesthesia. This method is used if the surgery pertains to the abdomen, chest or brain. Intubation is a fairly straightforward process; the doctor places an endotracheal tube into the mouth of the patient and slides it down the throat while he is unconscious. Although a simple procedure, intubation generally results in a sore throat after surgery since the back of the throat and windpipe are extremely sensitive areas. Although soreness of throat usually alleviates on its own, drinking ice cold water and sucking on lozenges can resolve this problem within a day or two.

Use of Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA)
Another way to administer anesthesia is through a laryngeal mask airway. This method is generally used if the surgery is to be performed outside the body cavities. The laryngeal mask is an airway tube connected to a soft, rubber mask, which is inserted into the patient's mouth and slid down the windpipe. It is adjusted to fit at the back of the throat and creates an airway allowing anesthetists to channel oxygen or anesthesia gas to the patient's lungs during the surgery. The incidence of sore throat after using a laryngeal mask may be lower but is still fairly frequent.

Dehydration
The patient is quite likely to suffer from dehydration as he is not allowed food and drink before surgery and even after surgery.

How to Deal With Sore Throat After Surgery


It is common for the patient to experience pain who underwent insertion of a breathing tube. This pain generally subsides within three to seven days. However, it becomes necessary to seek medical attention if the pain lasts longer than that or if the throat starts to swell.

• ŸThe best way to soothe the pain is to add honey to warm water or tea; preferably, a dollop should be added to the mug when drinking these beverages.


• ŸDrinking warm fluids like tea and limiting the amount of speaking will also help relieve the pain.


• ŸOver the counter medicines such as lozenges and chloraseptic sprays are also effective when it comes to reducing pain. Lozenges keep the throat moist and soothed. In fact, menthol lozenges can completely null out the pain.

Other Complaints After Anesthesia
After the surgery is complete, patients often wake up feeling quite groggy and disoriented. Along with soreness and general discomfort of the throat, patients often have other post-operative complaints as well. It must be noted, however, that most of these side effects of general anesthesia occur immediately after the operation and gradually subside with time.

Common Complaints
Nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects; patients tend to usually regurgitate as soon as the effect of anesthesia wears off. However, vomiting and feelings of nausea last only up to a day.

Some patients may also feel cold and suffer from sHIVering but this too subsides generally within a few minutes or an hour at the most. Almost everyone complains of dizziness and disorientation and this is more frequently reported by patients who are older. Doctors usually encourage increasing the intake of fluids as a treatment for dizziness. Some elderly patients may also suffer from temporary memory loss. Although generally not the case, this amnesia may be long lasting.

Less Common Complaints
There are other possible side effects of general anesthesia but these are not so common among patients. One such side effect is possible bruising and soreness of skin especially at the point where the patient had a drip fitted or was given an injection. The bruises and tenderness of skin usually dissipate on their own and do not require any medical treatment as such.

Another rare side effect pertaining to general anesthesia is damage to the mouth or teeth. Due to insertion of a breathing tube, sometimes the patient may suffer from cuts and mild bruises on the lips and tongue. In some cases, teeth may also be damaged. To prevent the latter from happening, it is important for the patient undergoing surgery to notify his doctor about any recent dental work before the surgical procedure is performed. This can help limit the damage done to teeth.

Warning
All of the side effects mentioned so far are quite prevalent among patients. Not only are these complaints perfectly normal but they also usually disappear on their own without any medical treatment. However, in rare cases, serious complications may arise. Breathing difficulties, severe allergic reactions and waking up during the surgery are all possibilities that cannot be ruled out. In extremely rare cases, death may also occur.

It must be noted, however, that all the side effects that have been mentioned so far will vary from person to person and depends largely on the type of surgery to be performed and the current state of health of the patient.

Honey for Sore Throat

Honey for Sore Throat

Sore throats, known medically as pharyngitis, are highly common and will likely be experienced by most people at some point in their life. The most common causes of a sore throat are bacterial or viral infections, overusing the throat, allergies, environmental influences, and/or Tonsillitis. For many years, honey has been used to soothe the condition and offer relief, but what evidence is there to suggest that honey for sore throat works? Continue reading to find out.

Does Honey for Sore Throat Work?
Honey is believed to be a natural remedy to help with sore throats, and many people choose to consume it with hot tea to speed up recovery. This natural remedy, as mentioned above, has been used for many years in treatment of this ailment, and with good reason too.

Honey works in numerous ways to help combat a sore throat;

• Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that work to lessen inflammation and swelling, whilst soothing any irritation within the internal glands, Mucus membranes, and skin.


• Honey contains an enzyme known as ‘glucose-oxidase’, which works to fight against infections.


• Honey has great antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which help to fight against and eradicate bacterial and viral infections.


• Finally, honey works as a hypertonic osmotic, meaning it helps to drain water from the affected and inflamed tissue, reducing swelling and pain.

What About Coughs, Does Honey Work for That Too?
As previously stated, many people infuse honey with hot tea and consume the beverage to gain relief from a sore throat, but can the use of honey also benefit coughs? One study focussed on a group of children of two years of age and older that had infections in their upper respiratory tract. The children were given around two teaspoons of honey before they went to sleep, and the results showed a decrease in the amount that they coughed throughout the night, leading to a better sleep.

Honey yielded similar results to over-the-counter cough medicine, meaning it’s worth a try if you’re a suffering from a nagging cough. It is important to remember that children under one may suffer a reaction to honey, so they should not be given it.

How to Take Honey for Sore Throat

There are numerous ways one can consume honey for its medicinal properties, and there are numerous other natural ingredients that can be infused with honey to provide an even bigger beneficial impact. Below are some suggestions on how to take honey for sore throat:

1. Just Honey

• Add two tablespoons of fresh honey into a warm cup of tea and mix until infused.


• Consume this beverage several times throughout the day to obtain sore throat relief.


• You can also drink herbal tea with honey to get relief.

2. Honey and Milk

• Heat some milk until warm (milk has soothing and relaxing properties, and also works to provide moisture to the throat).


• Add about a tablespoon of honey to the heated milk, and mix well until infused (the fact that the milk is warm will help with dissolving the honey).


• Drink this beverage several times throughout the day to get relief from a sore throat.

3. Honey and Lemon
Lemon is an astringent, meaning it helps to shrink tissue within the body, helpful for an inflamed and swollen throat.

• Add honey and lemon to a mug of herbal tea (the tea containing ‘tannins’, which are like lemons, in that they are also astringents).


• Lemon juice also works well; a good beverage to help with sore throats is lemon juice (freshly squeezed), a teaspoon of honey, and some cayenne pepper (just a pinch).

4. Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in warm water to make the liquid.

Drink the beverage whilst it is still warm.

As opposed to drinking this beverage, add a pinch of salt to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and mix well in warm water to create a liquid to gargle.

Do this at least two times a day to help with a sore throat.

More Remedies for Sore Throat
1. Cinnamon

Mix a teaspoon of cinnamon into warm water with a teaspoon of black pepper (powdered), and some cardamom if you so wish. Strain the liquid and use it to gargle around three times a day.

A second option is to mix a teaspoon of honey with a few droplets of cinnamon oil, and eat the mixture (up to twice a day) to obtain sore throat relief.

2. Salt Water

This method is an effective and easily utilizable treatment for sore throat ailments. Salt has antiseptic properties, and works to reduce phlegm and inflammation, and offer instantaneous relief:

Mix some salt, around half of a teaspoon, into warm water and gargle the mixture (do not swallow) up to four times a day. Adding honey will not only provide extra healing benefits, it will also nullify the intense taste of salt.

3. Sage and Water

Sage has healing properties in that it helps to reduce pain and swelling, associated with a sore throat. Mix sage (about a teaspoon) with some vinegar, a ¼ cup of brown sugar, and half a teaspoon of alum into about 1/8 cup of water, drink it to treat your sore throat.

4. Turmeric

There is evidence to suggest that turmeric is beneficial in fighting numerous infections and diseases due to its antioxidant properties and it can be helpful in combatting a sore throat. Gargle hot water infused with half a teaspoon of turmeric, as well as half a teaspoon of salt to get relief.

5. Tomato Juice

Tomatoes contain lycopene, whose antioxidant properties can help to cure a sore throat. Mix half a cup of tomato juice with a half cup of warm water, as well as around ten droplets of hot pepper sauce, and gargle for relief.

6. Green Tea

Green tea is believed to help fight against infections, naturally. When you brew some green tea, use some to gargle to acquire sore throat relief.

7. Raspberry Tea

Raspberry tea is a traditional and natural home remedy that is thought to be beneficial in treating numerous conditions, from sore throats to wounds.

• Obtain some raspberry tea leaves (around two teaspoons), and soak them in boiling water.


• Leave for ten minutes, then strain the fluid and allow time to cool.


• Gargle the liquid whilst it is still warm.

Persistent Sore Throat

Persistent Sore Throat

Most cases of sore throats are due to cold or a viral infection. In clinical definitions, the average duration for an episode of persistent sore throat may last for up to 3 to 4 weeks. In most cases, medical treatment is needed to control the symptoms as long standing cases are usually suggestive of an underlying medical problem.

What Causes Persistent Sore Throat?

The duration of illness and severity of symptoms depends largely on the inciting cause and pathophysiology. In case of severe throat irritation as seen after the inhalation of toxic smoke, the sore throat can last as long as the person is exposed to toxins. In some cases, bacterial colonization can also present with symptoms of sore throat, which generally responds very well to antibiotics. Sore throat caused by Mononucleosis infection usually runs a more chronic course. Some other causes include:

1. Using too Much Voice

Persistent sore throat is very common after long periods of excessive shouting. For example, excessive cheering after attending your favorite performer's concert or to boost the morale of your favorite team in a game. This may also happen if you are a teacher. Straining your vocal cords can damage your vocal muscles which may then lead to the inflammation of vocal cords, for a couple of days.

2. Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is caused by common virus and usually happens in school children and teenagers. It can cause sore throat and chronic cases can cause your throat to ache persistently. Other symptoms include:

• Swollen and red tonsils


• Visible yellow or white patches on the tonsils


• Difficulty when swallowing, sometimes with pain


• A muffled or scratchy voice


• Fever


• Headache


• Tender and enlarged lymph nodes in neck


• Stiff Neck


• Bad breath


• Stomachache

3. Laryngitis
Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx, also called voice box, due to irritation overuse, or infection. It can be caused by minor virus, or something long lasting and serious, thus causing your throat to have persistent pain. Besides persistent sore throat, others symptoms include:

• Weak voice or in severe cases loss of your voice


• Hoarseness and rawness


• Tickling sensation in throat


• Dry cough


• Dry throat

4. Glandular Fever
Glandular fever is caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and the symptoms usually recover in about two weeks, which include a very sore throat that becomes worst in days 3-5 after symptoms start. Besides, the fever usually lasts 10-14 days. Other symptoms include:

• Fatigue and general unwellness


• Muscle aches


• Sweats and chills


• Appetite loss


• Swollen Tonsils


• Purple or red spots on roof of mouth


• Pain around eyes


• Swollen or tender stomach


• Rashes

5. Injuries
As discussed previously, shouting and screaming can damage the throat easily. In addition, scratching or a lodging of a foreign body in the throat (such as while swallowing large bolus of poorly chewed food or impaction of a fish bone in throat) can also lead to persistent sore throat. It is therefore recommended to chew food properly before swallowing to prevent indigestion and other throat injuries.

6. Irritants and Allergies
Irritants like smoke and dust particles can also cause sore throat. After exposure to an allergen, human body responds by eliciting an inflammatory response that is characterized by swelling and tissue Edema. Allergies can make your mouth and throat dry while producing excess Mucus to cause post-nasal dribbling and resultant cough and irritation.

The symptoms of sore throat caused by allergies are same as that of cold, but some factors that may help in making the diagnosis are:

• Allergies are seasonal, and lasts for some weeks. The symptoms are caused by the reaction of body to allergens.


• Allergens make eyes watery and itchy.

7. Acid Reflux
Sore throat can also be due to indigestion, with symptom of Gastro-esophageal acid reflux in the upper area of throat. The thin layered mucus traps particles of smoke make your throat sore.

8. Bacteria Infection such as Strep Throat
Bacteria also cause sore throat especially when the immune system is weak due to chronic health issues. In most cases it is hard to differentiate if the symptoms of persistent sore throat are due to virus or bacteria.

Severe symptoms are mostly due to bacterial infections, especially streptococcus pyogenes. The infections further cause persistent sore throat for which you should visit a doctor for optimal treatment. A specific type of bacteria, streptococcus causes strep throat which requires optimal treatment in the form of antibiotic prescribed by your doctor. Fever and swollen tonsils can further worsen the symptoms. Doctors diagnose this infection by a throat culture before prescribing medicines.

9. Medicines and Medical Conditions
Our immune system may get weaken due to medical conditions like AIDS, which makes you sensitive towards certain infections. Some medications can also cause sore throat, such as anti-depressants and anti-histamines etc. They make the throat painful and dry out the mucus in the throat.

10. Dry Weather
Breathing dry air can also cause persistent sore throat especially if you're travelling in a dry climate or during winter when the humidity gets very low. In all such cases, nose comes to the rescue and therefore you should breathe through nose for better results.

11. It Can Be Virus Infection That Didn’t Heal
Flu and cold are the most common causes of sore throat. The disease starts from the larynx and eventually involves the entire throat. The symptoms lasts for a few days. In the environment we live, viral infections are very common. Common cold have symptoms like sore throat, postnasal drip, Nasal Congestion and cough. Common colds take around 3-7 days to go and there's usually no need to visit a doctor.

12. Other Causes
Some other causes of persistent sore throat include:

• Breathing from mouth


• Measles


• Croup


• Tumors or Cancer which can present as lumps in throat

What to Do About Persistent Sore Throat
It can be treated by some simple home remedies like use of humidifier, honey and lemon tea, salt gargling, hydrated body, OTC medicines and cough drops.

The persistent sore throat usually resolves spontaneously, but if no change in symptoms is observed for a few weeks and you are experiencing swollen glands and fever; then consult your doctor immediately. Sore throat for more than few weeks can have unusual and serious symptoms.

You can soothe your throat pain by following tips:

• Suck something that soothe your throat like a popsicle.


• Don't use too much of your voice and get sufficient sleep.


• Drink a lot of water and fluids to keep your throat hydrated. A warm tea with honey is recommended for more comfort.


• Some cold foods like ice pops also provide relief to sore throats.


• Use OTC medicines to relieve pain like ibuprofen or naproxen.


• To avoid dry air entering into your throat, use humidifier in home. You can also opt to spend some time in a steam bath.


• Use lozenges for soothing your persistent sore throat but keep them away from children of age 4 or less as they are choking hazard for them.


• Quit smoking if you haven't already, do not let any smoke enter into the house and don't use cleaning items which cause irritation in throat.


• Do gargles of a mixture by combining water (8 ounces) and salt (1 teaspoon) couple of times a day.

Help from Echinacea

Echinacea is a herb that is traditionally used to fight against flu and cold symptoms in the body. Its tablets are used to increase the resistance against infections in your body by making the immune system stronger. It allows the body to fight against cold and flu.

Medical Treatments
To find the best treatment for your sore throat, it is imperative that you find the culprit behind it. Sore throats caused by bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. If you don't treat the strep throat seriously it can cause serious complications like Heart disease and valvular defects.

Antiviral medicines are used to treat persistent sore throat that is caused by viral infections or you may get better without any treatment. If your sore throat is due to allergies, then you need medication to control the symptoms in addition to avoiding allergens to ease the symptoms and pain.

What Other People Have Experienced and Suggested?

“I am resident of US (Midwest). I have had persistent sore throat. I noticed that unless I consume dairy products or a lot of protein, my throat doesn’t cause any trouble. I believe the symptoms are due to a stubborn virus that is not ready to leave. It feels strange because I am the only person in my family and also at work to suffer from this condition”.

“I have had persistent sore throat since the end of Feb, I have been sick badly. 12 years ago I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma but thankfully I got away with it and since then I remained in good health except this throat problem. According to the doctor, the worrying is enhancing the problem; thankfully all my tests are perfect.”

Sore Throat That Won't Go Away

Sore Throat That Won't Go Away

It is hard to find someone who has never experienced a sore throat at some point in life. Dealing with scratching, itching, and burning is never fun, but it becomes even more annoying when these symptoms just won't go away. Most people find relief by taking some home care measures, but others will continue to feel miserable. Keep reading to find out more about the causes of a sore throat that won't go awayand things you can do about it.

What Causes Sore Throat That Won't Go Away?
There can be a number of different reasons why you have acontinuous sore throat symptom.Here are a few of them for your understanding:

1. Viral Causes
Your may have a viral infection that's making things miserable for you, and the most common two are cold and Mononucleosis.

• Cold: Cold will start with one symptom but will gradually become worse. You will experience symptoms such as cough, watery eyes, Sneezing, slight Headaches, mild temperature, and body aches. A sore throat often comes together with those symptoms. Cold usually lasts from a couple of days to a week, but coughing may continue for another couple of weeks. When you get cold, some kind of Asthma can be formed in one's chest making people feel tight while wheezing, which can be relieved with inhalers.


• Mononucleosis: Your sore throat that won't go away could be due to mononucleosis. It continues to affect you for at least 10 days, but you may continue to feel weak until 12 weeks. You will also notice some other symptoms, such as swollen and sore armpit, lymph nodes, and tonsils. You may also have a swollen liver and even find some grayish patches on your tonsils. Fluids, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications will help relieve your symptoms a bit.

2. Bacterial Causes
Your sore throat could be due to a bacterial infection. This may happen due to a Strep Throat or Tonsillitis.

• ŸStrep throat: You will experience symptoms such as swollen neck glands, fever, and white patches on tonsils. You won't have coughing. Strep throat affects you all of a sudden and makes your throat turn into a beefy red color.


• Tonsillitis: A bacterial infection can lead to Swollen Tonsils with or without white patches on them. You may have to remove your tonsils if tonsillitis happens several times during a year. Typical symptoms of tonsillitis include fever, chills, trouble swallowing, sore throat, ear pain, loss of voice, and bad breath.

3. Other Causes
In addition to bacterial and viral causes, there are some other things can cause sore throat on you.

• ŸAllergies: The most common Allergy symptom is a runny nose with Nasal Congestion. Sinus congestion may also lead to headaches that become worse when you lie down.


• Reflux: Your sore throat could be due to reflux, a condition in which acid or food moves up the esophagus. Avoiding spicy foods and eating smaller meals may help in this case.


• Exposure to dry air or smoke: Working in an environment full of dry air or tobacco smoke may also lead to sore throat that won't go away.

How to Relieve Sore Throat That Won't Go Away
You can try certain home remedies and tricks to relieve sore throat. These remedies may or may not work depending on the exact cause of your sore throat. Still, it is worth taking these homecare measures for relief.

Gargle with saline water. Simply add some salt in a cup of water and gargle. This will alleviate the discomfort associated with your sore throat.

Using a lozenge may also help because it contains menthol that numbs the tissue in your throat. Lozenges will provide temporary relief though. Don't give lozenges to young children because they are a choking hazard.

Add some honey to your regular tea and drink it slowly to soothe your irritated throat. Honey is also a cough suppressant, so you may want to use a drop of it the next time your throat starts to tickle.

Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water when you're dealing with a sore throat that won't go away. Drinking water helps to keep your throat lubricated and reduces inflammation.

Have a humidifier installed in your room if you always have to deal with an irritated throat. Moist air will soothe swollen tissues in your throat and nose. A humidifier adds moisture to your room and provides you with humid air to relieve dryness in your throat.

Take a steam shower. It is a great alternative to spend time in a room equipped with a humidifier. Turn on hot water in your bath and stay out for some time. Then, enter your bathroom and take deep breaths. You can also fill a sink with hot water and inhale steam to ease your sore throat.

Try over-the-counter pain relievers for viral infections. Some good choices include Aleve and Advil, both of which are anti-inflammatory medicines and offer some relief from pain.

Take antibiotics for relief. When other remedies don't work and there is a bacterial infection, you will have to take antibiotics for relief. Penicillin and erythromycin are the most common options here. Antibiotics will prove effective if the underlying cause of soreness is a strep throat. Be sure to complete the entire course of your antibiotics and don't stop using it even when you feel better after a couple of days.

Go see your doctor if your sore throat becomes worse even after taking all other homecare measures. Your doctor will check your symptoms and help diagnose the underlying cause of your sore throat to fix the issue.

Sore Throat That Won't Go Away

Sore Throat That Won't Go Away

It is hard to find someone who has never experienced a sore throat at some point in life. Dealing with scratching, itching, and burning is never fun, but it becomes even more annoying when these symptoms just won't go away. Most people find relief by taking some home care measures, but others will continue to feel miserable. Keep reading to find out more about the causes of a sore throat that won't go awayand things you can do about it.

What Causes Sore Throat That Won't Go Away?
There can be a number of different reasons why you have acontinuous sore throat symptom.Here are a few of them for your understanding:

1. Viral Causes
Your may have a viral infection that's making things miserable for you, and the most common two are cold and Mononucleosis.

• Cold: Cold will start with one symptom but will gradually become worse. You will experience symptoms such as cough, watery eyes, Sneezing, slight Headaches, mild temperature, and body aches. A sore throat often comes together with those symptoms. Cold usually lasts from a couple of days to a week, but coughing may continue for another couple of weeks. When you get cold, some kind of Asthma can be formed in one's chest making people feel tight while wheezing, which can be relieved with inhalers.


• Mononucleosis: Your sore throat that won't go away could be due to mononucleosis. It continues to affect you for at least 10 days, but you may continue to feel weak until 12 weeks. You will also notice some other symptoms, such as swollen and sore armpit, lymph nodes, and tonsils. You may also have a swollen liver and even find some grayish patches on your tonsils. Fluids, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications will help relieve your symptoms a bit.

2. Bacterial Causes
Your sore throat could be due to a bacterial infection. This may happen due to a Strep Throat or Tonsillitis.

• ŸStrep throat: You will experience symptoms such as swollen neck glands, fever, and white patches on tonsils. You won't have coughing. Strep throat affects you all of a sudden and makes your throat turn into a beefy red color.


• Tonsillitis: A bacterial infection can lead to Swollen Tonsils with or without white patches on them. You may have to remove your tonsils if tonsillitis happens several times during a year. Typical symptoms of tonsillitis include fever, chills, trouble swallowing, sore throat, ear pain, loss of voice, and bad breath.

3. Other Causes
In addition to bacterial and viral causes, there are some other things can cause sore throat on you.

• ŸAllergies: The most common Allergy symptom is a runny nose with Nasal Congestion. Sinus congestion may also lead to headaches that become worse when you lie down.


• Reflux: Your sore throat could be due to reflux, a condition in which acid or food moves up the esophagus. Avoiding spicy foods and eating smaller meals may help in this case.


• Exposure to dry air or smoke: Working in an environment full of dry air or tobacco smoke may also lead to sore throat that won't go away.

How to Relieve Sore Throat That Won't Go Away
You can try certain home remedies and tricks to relieve sore throat. These remedies may or may not work depending on the exact cause of your sore throat. Still, it is worth taking these homecare measures for relief.

Gargle with saline water. Simply add some salt in a cup of water and gargle. This will alleviate the discomfort associated with your sore throat.

Using a lozenge may also help because it contains menthol that numbs the tissue in your throat. Lozenges will provide temporary relief though. Don't give lozenges to young children because they are a choking hazard.

Add some honey to your regular tea and drink it slowly to soothe your irritated throat. Honey is also a cough suppressant, so you may want to use a drop of it the next time your throat starts to tickle.

Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of water when you're dealing with a sore throat that won't go away. Drinking water helps to keep your throat lubricated and reduces inflammation.

Have a humidifier installed in your room if you always have to deal with an irritated throat. Moist air will soothe swollen tissues in your throat and nose. A humidifier adds moisture to your room and provides you with humid air to relieve dryness in your throat.

Take a steam shower. It is a great alternative to spend time in a room equipped with a humidifier. Turn on hot water in your bath and stay out for some time. Then, enter your bathroom and take deep breaths. You can also fill a sink with hot water and inhale steam to ease your sore throat.

Try over-the-counter pain relievers for viral infections. Some good choices include Aleve and Advil, both of which are anti-inflammatory medicines and offer some relief from pain.

Take antibiotics for relief. When other remedies don't work and there is a bacterial infection, you will have to take antibiotics for relief. Penicillin and erythromycin are the most common options here. Antibiotics will prove effective if the underlying cause of soreness is a strep throat. Be sure to complete the entire course of your antibiotics and don't stop using it even when you feel better after a couple of days.

Go see your doctor if your sore throat becomes worse even after taking all other homecare measures. Your doctor will check your symptoms and help diagnose the underlying cause of your sore throat to fix the issue.

Sore Throat Caused by Allergies

Sore Throat Caused by Allergies

Got a sore throat? Allergies might be to blame. Though many sore throats can be caused by viruses, such as the Common cold or flu, or bacteria such as Strep Throat, allergies are an over-overlooked culprit. If you suspect your sore throat might be caused by allergies, here’s what you need to know about treating the problem and alleviating the symptoms.

How Can Sore Throat Be Caused by Allergies?
Allergies can take different forms for each person. One person might suffer from severely itchy and watery eyes, while another might have a stopped-up nose. Still others might suffer from a sore throat. But how does this happen?

Remember that your nose and throat produce a great deal of Mucus every day – usually anywhere between one and two quarts of it! It keeps your respiratory tract healthy by keeping it moist and so helping prevent infections, which you rarely notice it. But when your body comes into contact with something that causes an allergic reaction, then a chemical called histamine is released. This increases mucus production, which can lead to a runny nose. When that mucus runs down your throat, it can lead to itching, coughing or sore throat.

Sometimes, sore throat allergies are even more direct. Particles of pollen or other allergens might go right into the nose and throat, and those can enter the respiratory system, leading to an even worse sore throat.

Is Your Sore Throat Caused by Cold or Allergies?
But, how to tell whether your sore throat is caused by allergies or just cold? The best way is to pay attention to the duration. How long does it last? A common cold will get pretty bad for a day or so, but they will often go away within a few days – at the most, the common cold lasts for ten days. The flu lasts for about the same period of time, and is accompanied by muscle aches and fatigue among other symptoms. But allergies are persistent. They can go on for weeks or even months. Seasonal allergies often occur during the spring, and tend to come around every year, no matter what you do to try to avoid them.

You can also tell the difference between a cold and allergies by the mucus. Colds cause mucus that is yellowish, while allergies lead to a thin and clear mucus discharge. You might also notice a difference in symptoms: the cold tends to cause coughing and congestion, while allergies can include itchy eyes and a sore throat.

How to Treat the Sore Throat Caused by Allergies
Fortunately, sore throat allergies can be treated very well, through either over-the-counter remedies or home-based cures. But always remember that the best way to avoid sore throat allergies is to prevent allergies altogether.

1. Prevent Allergies
Start by avoiding the allergens if you can. For instance, if you wind up with sore throat allergies after being around a smoker, make sure to avoid cigarette smoke. Not sure what you are allergic to? You can see your doctor to get an allergen test and figure out what makes your body react. Once you know what you are allergic to, you might be able to get a regimen of shots that will keep you from having symptoms from those irritants.

2. Take Medications
Sometimes you can’t prevent allergies. In that case, turn to the great over-the-counter medications that are designed to treat all the symptoms, including sore throat. Allergies are often relieved by antihistamines such as Zyrtec and Claritin, as well as some others that treat only very specific symptoms, like Benadryl.

3. Try Home Remedies
Though these home remedies below might not get rid of the problem, they do decrease the symptoms and make allergies more tolerable.

• ŸWater. Simply drink a boatload of water – as much as you can stand. The more water you drink, the healthier your body will be, and the thinner the mucus will become. The water will also help soothe your sore throat, especially if you spike it with a little lemon.


• ŸWarm liquid. Hot teas and soups are notorious for making you feel better, whether you have a cold or allergies. But for a sore throat, a soothing tea is especially helpful. Look for elderberry tea, which is a natural antihistamine.


• ŸGargling. When you have a sore throat, turn to warm salt water. Stir one teaspoon of regular table salt into eight ounces of water and then gargle with this solution to ease your sore throat. You can do this as often as you like.


• ŸNeti pots. These little pots are a great idea for those suffering from sore throat allergies. They work by pouring a salt-water solution into your nasal cavity and flushing it out, which leads to less mucus. Less mucus means that you have a much more comfortable throat. Here’s a video telling you how to use a Neti Pots:

Is Ice Cream Good for Sore Throat?

Is Ice Cream Good for Sore Throat?

Having a cold can ruin anyone's day. But the good newsis that sometimes having a cold gives you an excuse to do things you might feel guilty doing otherwise – like eating ice cream. But is ice cream good for sore throat? Some suggest that ice cream should never be eaten while sick, while others believe it's just fine. Here's what to know about ice cream and sore throats.

Is Ice Cream Good for Your Sore Throat?
Though some people might question is ice cream good for sore throat, the answer is a definitive yes. Here are the reasons:

1. Provide Calories
With sore throat you may find it hard to keep anything down which makes you lack of energy. But the soft texture of ice cream makes things easier and can provide the calories needed to support you throughout the day.

2. Alleviate the Pain
Ice cream with its coldness can work as an anesthetic to soothe inflammation and give your temporary relief. Just remember choose plain flavored ice cream such as vanilla or chocolate. Any ice cream with candy pieces, or those that contain fruit juices – such as orange sherbets – should be avoided because they can cause irritation to the throat.

3. Tips

• Ice cream really does have a great deal of sugar, so beware of how much you are eating.


• After eating ice cream, gargle with warm water. This gets the sugar out of the crevices of your throat and promotes healing even further.


• If your sore throat appeared because you ate something icy, then ice cream might not help at all.


• Choose a dairy-free ice cream to avoid an increase in phlegm. If you are lactose intolerant or don't like the taste of dairy-free ice cream, try ice chips or ice water.

Other Ways to Soothe Sore Throat Naturally
Is ice cream good for sore throat? Yes it is, but other remedies also work well. Here are a few to try when you are battling a sore throat or a bad cold.

1. Sage
This leafy herb is a natural anti-inflammatory, so it helps relieve swelling and can soothe sore throats when added to tea. Use sage by steeping it in hot water to make a soothing tea. As an added bonus, the steam from the tea is good for congestion.

2. Echinacea
Just like sage, this herb is an anti-inflammatory that can make your throat feel much better. It might actually reduce fever as well. Use Echinacea in tablet or pill form as a supplement, or look for extracts to use in hot tea.

3. Salt Water
This classic remedy works by washing away Mucus and letting your throat heal naturally. The salt can also reduce swelling and irritation of the mucus membranes. Gargle with salt water at least three times per day for the best results.

4. Marshmallow Root
This unique remedy contains mucilage which is known for reducing pain and inflammation. Steep the root in hot water for tea; one tablespoon mixed with boiling water makes an excellent cup of remedy.

5. Slippery Elm
You do not need to ask the question "Is ice cream good for sore throat? " if you have slippery elm in your home. Itis created from the bark of the elm tree and contains mucilage, which can reduce inflammation and pain. You can create a tea with this, or use it as supplements.

6. Honey
This age-old remedy is great mixed in with hot tea to soothe the throat. It coats the throat and that eases inflammation. It also works as a cough suppressant. If you want an added punch, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your tea. You can also add up to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper to the tea as it steeps. If you want another punch of remedy, add whisky instead to create a hot toddy.

7. Garlic
The antiseptic and antibacterial properties of garlic make it a go-to for illnesses, including a sore throat. It can help fight respiratory infections. Make a broth of crushed garlic cloves and boiled water. If you like the taste, you could simply suck on a crushed clove for a while.

8. Adequate Rest
This is the simplest remedy, but for many it might be the toughest. Simply rest your voice – don't talk to anyone if you can help it, and get plenty of rest on top of that. Sleep in late if you can, take short naps, or just meditate and relax.

Sore Throat Swollen Glands No Fever

Sore Throat Swollen Glands No Fever

Sore throats and swollen gland are no fun! Usually, when you wake up with a sore throat and your glands are swollen, and fever starts, then you are sure you have caught a cold, the flu, or even Strep Throat. Any of these have other symptoms likeHeadache, fatigue, coughing, and body aches. If you have strep you take antibiotics and it goes away in just a few days. A viral illness has to run its course over the next 2 to 7 days. When you have a sore throat, swollen gland but no fever you may start to worry something is wrong. Especially if you don’t have any other symptoms and it lingers on for more than a week. This article will help you understand some of the causes for this.

Sore Throat Swollen Glands No Fever? What’s CausingIt?
First let’s take a look at what swollen glands are. This is a condition known as lymphadenopathy, in which your lymph nodes fill with fluid and swell. Your lymph nodes are little organs that are shaped like a bean and their job is to clean out your lymph fluid. You have them all over your body, but the ones in your neck are very easily felt. They help stop the spread of infections and other diseases like Cancer.

The fluid is lymph and contains white blood cells, water, fat, and protein. As the blood filters through the lymph nodes, it collects any infectious or cancerous cells and destroys them. When your lymph nodes contain something infectious or cancerous, they swell.

If you develop painful lymph nodes this is called lymphadenopathy. When you have a sore throat, swollen glands,without a fever, you may just have a mild virus if you show other symptoms includinga runny nose, cough, and feeling tired.

If you don’t have any other symptoms, you should get checked by your doctor if it doesn’t clear up in a week or so.

Causes of Sore Throat Swollen Glands No Fever
This is almost always a response by your immune system that it is fighting something off. It isn’t too uncommon to have these symptoms without fever and still have:

• A Common cold


• Influenza


• Skin or tissue infection near the swollen gland


• No cause at all (Doctor unable to find a reason)

However, there are a few causes of sore throat swollen glands no fever that can concern doctors. These include:

• Mononucleosis


• Tuberculosis


• HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)


• Leukemia


• Hodgkin Lymphoma


• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

The good news is that a very small amount of people (less than 1%) have cancer from swollen glands. Let’s take a look at each of these conditions:

Mononucleosis
This is a viral infection that causes the lymph nodes to swell. Many people who catch mono get a sore throat, but may not have any fever at all. Symptoms include:

• Swollen Lymph Nodes


• Sore throat


• Extreme fatigue


• Abdominal pain


• Dizziness


• Weakness

Treatment includes bed rest, fluids, and corticosteroids for some people. This virus may take weeks to months to completely clear-up and some lymph node swelling can be very profound.

Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system and can spread to the lymph nodes and the rest of the body. It is highly contagious. It can cause sore throat swollen glands no fever. Other symptoms include:

• Night Sweats


• Cough


• Blood in sputum


• Weight Loss


• Fatigue

Treatment includes Long-term antibiotic treatment, quarantine to the home to avoid exposing others, and possible removal of any affected lymph nodes.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
This virus is spread through contaminated blood and sexual contact. It attacks the immune system making it harder to fight off infection. It can cause the lymph nodes to swell without any fever. Other symptoms include:

• Sores in mouth


• Fatigue


• Rashes


• Headaches


• Achiness

Treatment of symptoms is lifelong antiviral medications and there is no cure. It can progress to full-blown AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) which is most often fatal.

Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells in the body. Some of the first symptoms aresore throat, swollen glands, no fever, but frequent infections. Other symptoms include:

• Weight loss


• Easy bruising


• Abdominal pain


• Joint pain

Treatment involves chemotherapy, radiation, and if needed the Spleen will have to be removed.

Hodgkin Lymphoma
This is cancer of the actual lymph nodes themselves. It can spread to the spleen, bone marrow, and other organs. Some of the first signs are swollen painful glands, fatigue, and feeling ill. Other symptoms include:

• Body itching


• Weight loss


• Night sweats


• Occasional chills and fever

Treatment includes chemotherapy, radiation, and if needed a stem-cell transplant.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
This is another cancer of the lymph system and can happen to people with immune system problems. It can show up as a sore throat, and swollen sore glands, with or without fever. Other symptoms include:

• Cough


• Shortness of breath


• Trouble concentrating


• Seizures


• Change in personality


• Abdominal pain


• Distended abdomen

Treatment is chemotherapy, radiation, blood transfusions to replace platelets, and stem cell transplant.

When to See a Doctor
As you can see above, some conditions that can cause enlargement of the glands without fever can be serious. It is important to contact your doctor for the following signs:

• Gland swelling doesn’t go down in a few weeks’ time


• You have weight loss, night sweats, or start running fever with these symptoms


• The glands are tender to touch and red


• You develop a hard knot in a swollen gland


• Throat swelling affects your breathing (Can happen with mono)

The doctor will run tests to check for a bacterial or viral cause. If either of those are ruled out, the doctor may want to biopsy your glands to check for other causes of sore throat swollen glands no fever. The treatment chosen will depend on what is causing the issue.

Tips for Sore Throats and Swollen Glands

• Do not play with swollen glands or try to pop them


• Keep the area clean and dry


• Use warm compresses for 20 minutes at a time to increase blood flow to the area. This helps move lymph fluid and reduce their size.


• Avoid wearing tight clothing over the lump(s)


• Gargle with warm salt water for sore throat


• Take a teaspoon of honey to soothe throat irritation


• Use an over-the-counter pain reliever

Essential Oils for Sore Throat

Essential Oils for Sore Throat

A sore throat is often caused by a viral infection. It is most commonly associated with the Common cold, although other viral infections can also cause it. The occurrence of a sore throat can lead to discomfort, difficulty swallowing, and of course, soreness of the throat. Essential oils can be an effective natural treatment to help soothe and eradicate the condition, this article will detail some great essential oils for sore throat treatment.

Essential Oils for Sore Throat
Essential oils can be extremely beneficial in treating a sore throat, not only at helping to soothe the pain associated with the condition, but

also to fight the cause of the condition. Some essential oils have natural anti-inflammatory properties, others have natural antibacterial properties, both helping to treat a sore throat. The most effective essential oils to treat sore throat include bitter orange, cedarwood, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, ginger, lavender, lemon, oregano, and thyme essential oils. These essential oils can be used in a number of ways, below are a few examples of methods:

1. Steam Inhalation
What You Need: 1 drop of thyme, 2 drops of chamomile, and three drops of lavender essential oils. You will also need hot water, a bowl to mix the ingredients within, a stirring apparatus, and a towel.

How to Use: First, fill the bowl with hot water, then add the essential oils (ensure to stir the mixture thoroughly). Next, place the towel over your head and then lean over the steaming bowl (keeping about ten inches away from it) so that the steam is rising onto your face. With your eyes closed, begin to take deep breaths, and continue to do this for around one-to-two minutes. This process can be repeated up to four times daily.

Please note that the use of clove, oregano, peppermint, and thyme essential oils should be avoided for this method, although some of theses are useful essential oils for sore throat treatment, using them in this way will likely do more harm than good.

2. Cedarwood Throat Massage
What You Need: A single drop of cedarwood essential oil, and your choice of massage oil, such as coconut, sesame, argan, sweet almond, grapeseed, jojoba, or macadamia oils.

How to Use: First, mix the cedarwood essential oil with your chosen massage oil within the palm of your hand. Next, gently massage the mixture over and around the area of your throat. This process can be carried out up to three times daily to attain relief.

3. Sore Throat Clearing Tea
What You Need: One drop of cedarwood essential oil, a teabag (most will be fine, although chamomile tea is most recommended), and one teaspoon of raw honey.

How to Use: Place the teabag into an appropriate cup and drop the cedarwood essential oil on top of it. Next, pour boiling water into the cup, over the teabag and essential oil. After the tea, cedarwood and hot water have been infused, mix in the raw honey. Finally, begin to slowly sip the tea.

4. Essential Oil Drink for Sore Throat
What You Need: Two drops of lemon and one drop of lavender essential oils, two teaspoons of raw honey, and rose water.

How to Use: Boil the rose water and then allow it to cool. Once the rose water has cooled down slightly, add the essential oils and raw honey, then continue to mix the drink thoroughly. Once the ingredients are mixed, you can drink it. This can be repeated twice daily.

5. Essential Oil Mouthwash
What You Need: One cup of warm water, one or two drops of either clary sage, lavender, or geranium (each one is effective essential oils for sore throat treatment), and half a teaspoon of sea salt.

How to Use: Place within a cup your chosen essential oil and the sea salt, then add the warm water to the glass. Mix them well, and rinse your mouth thoroughly, ensuring not to swallow any of the liquid. This method can be repeated several times a day as you like.

6. Oregano Essential Oil Neti Pot
What You Need: A neti pot and one drop of oregano essential oil.

How to Use: Simply add the essential oil to your standard neti pot preparation, and use as normal.

7. Cleansing Essential Oil Massage
What You Need: One drop of thyme, two drops of lemon, five drops of chamomile essential oils, and one teaspoon of a massage oil of your choice.

How to Use: Combine all of the ingredients together and gently massage the mixture over and around your neck, and behind your ears.

8. Bitter Orange Throat Swab
What You Need: Bitter orange essential oil, and a q-tip cotton swab.

How to Use: Douse the q-tip with this one of theessential oils for a sore throat, and use it to gently swab the back of your throat. Once you have done this, drink a glass of warm water or the essential oil drink detailed above.

9. Ginger Mixture to Gargle
What You Need: One-to-two drops of ginger root oil (ginger is an expectorant, meaning that it works to loosen and eradicate Mucus within one's respiratory system), two teaspoons of raw honey, 8 oz. of warm water, and a small amount of cayenne.

How to Use: Mix the ginger root oil with the raw honey, then stir in the warm water. Next, add the cayenne to the mixture. Use this blend to gargle with, repeat every thirty-minutes or so.

10. Oregano Swab
What You Need: Two-to-three drops of oregano essential oil, and an ounce of your preferred carrier oil.

How to Use: First, mix the carrier oil and the essential oil together. Next, grab a q-tip and douse the end with the mixture. Once doused, apply directly to the affected area. You may add more carrier oil if the mixture is too hot when applied. You can also make a gargle mixture using the same amount of oregano oil, mixed with warm water and one teaspoon of sea salt.

Click HEREto find more natural ways to treat sore throat you can try. Or you want to learn cure a sore throat quickly as instructed in the video below.