Home remedies for sore throat

Sore throat is a condition in which your throat becomes itchy, scratchy, and painful. Mostly it occurs due to bacterial and viral infections. The sore throat becomes more painful when you swallow something like food or even water. Generally, it is not so serious to visit a doctor but if you have a complaint of breathlessness, you must visit a healthcare provider. If you are suffering from recurrent sore throat episodes you must visit the best general physician in Lahore.

Generally, healthcare providers prescribe over-the-counter pain reliever like paracetamol or ibuprofen to get rid of the pain caused by a sore throat. However, if it is severe, they may prescribe you antibiotics. Along with medical treatment, trying home remedies to get rid of sore throat is also a good option. Home remedies do make a difference. They can help reduce the severity of symptoms and help comfort you. Many natural products are potent anti-inflammatory that can help relieve pain and soreness due to an infection. In this article, we are going to discuss the home remedies that can help get rid of sore throat.

Honey

Honey has great healing properties. It can help in early recovery. Moreover, it has proven to be a cough suppressant- a property that can really help in getting rid of cough due to sore throat. You can mix honey in warm water, or with lemon or green tea. It has powerful antioxidant effects that make it a wonder to your body.

Salt and water

Mix a quarter to half teaspoon of salt in 4 to 8 ounces of warm water, make a mixture, and gargle with it. Salt has the property to pull out the mucus out of the inflamed throat which can help in getting rid of symptoms associated with a sore throat.

Lozenges

Lozenges are made to suck in your mouth. Most of them contain menthol which makes your throat numb for some time. It can eventually help in reducing the pain caused by a sore throat. Moreover, it increases salivation which keeps your throat lubricated, and reduces pain.

Staying hydrated

Staying hydrated is essential especially when your throat is sore. When you drink less water, your body is unable to produce the right amount of saliva and mucus which can keep your throat lubricated. Also drinking plenty of water helps to thin out the thick mucus that irritates your airways. Therefore, you must drink more than ten glasses of water daily especially if you have a sore throat.

You can also drink hot beverages like tea, green tea, soups, and hot milk along with water to keep yourself hydrated. But hot beverages may irritate your already inflamed tissues. Try to avoid caffeine and alcohol as they can dry out the throat, even more, making the condition worse.

Humidifier

Turn on the humidifier in the place you reside for a long time. Breathing in humid air can help out thinning of the mucus and relieve irritation that is caused by dryness. It can help in keeping your throat moist and warm.

Raise your head

If you are unable to sleep because of congestion caused by a sore throat, take an extra pillow under your head to raise it. When you lie straight, the mucus trickles back down your throat and causes cough and congestion, making it difficult for you to sleep. When you keep your head raised, it becomes easy for you to sleep and get relief from congestion.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties which makes it a beneficial thing to consume during the sore throat. You can mix one to two tablespoons of it in a cup of water and gargle it. Doing that can help get rid of infection soon. Also if you have a complaint of recurrent sore throat, do that for a long time as it can help prevent infections caused by bacteria due to its antibacterial properties.

Garlic

Garlic is an anti-inflammatory agent and also has antibacterial properties. It contains a compound called allicin- a compound that has antibacterial properties and therefore, helps fight off infections.

Steam

Take steam to relieve nasal congestion associated with a sore throat. It can help thin out the mucus that becomes thick when you have a sore throat. Steam helps in keeping your airways warm and moist.

Conclusion

Sore throat is a painful condition that is often accompanied by nasal congestion or a runny nose. Generally, it gets better on its own and you do not need to visit a doctor. You can try home remedies too to get rid of it. If you have a complaint of fever or breathlessness along with a sore throat, you should visit the best general physician in Karachi.