I just caught a sore throat and basically I feel like shoving a coat hanger down my mouth and scratching like hell. That is how uncomfortable I feel with a sore throat; now your situation might be even worse. The dry season is slowly rolling in and the season is not complete without chapped lips, coughs colds and itchy, scratchy throats. Don’t worry, there’s plenty we can do about it.
1. Gargle with warm salt water to help reduce swelling and relieve discomfort. Salt slows down the growth of micro-organism and is therefore good for cleansing a sore throat. It also pulls out the mucous from your inflamed throat, thus reducing inflammation.Use 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of water and swirl around the back of your throat. Make sure not to swallow any of it.
2. Drink some honey. Honey can help sooth the throat. Brew a cup of tea and drizzle some honey into it; the tea keeps you hydrated and clears your airways, while the honey acts as a cough suppressant.
3. Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water (preferably warm), you can flavour the water with lemon, honey or cucumbers. Other warm liquids that can help include soup (not egusi, okro or ewedu) and tea. Drinks at extreme temperature can damage your already fragile throat.
4. Get steamed up. You need to breathe in moist air, which soothes your airways while you recover. You can bend over a steamy bowl of water and menthol, or take a shower. The hot water from the shower produces steam which reduces swelling and eases the pain of a sore throat. Take deep breaths over the steam and repeat as necessary.
5. Menthol and Lozenges. These can numb the pain of a sore throat. Take some as often as you can because they also stimulate saliva production which keeps your throat moist and lubricated.
6. Take medication. Sore throats could be viral or bacterial. Take an antibiotic (on a physician’s recommendation) and be sure to complete the full dose. Sometimes, a sore throat can be a sign of something more serious such as strep throat, quincy or tonsilitis; so be sure to consult your doctor if the pain persists.
Don’t forget to maintain a healthy diet, eat lots of fruits and vegetables and keep yourself out of the rain and the cold. Till next time, stay healthy folks.