Sore Throat Treatment
A sore throat is a painful but common affliction that everyone suffers from on occasion. It may be the first sign of a cold, the result of strained vocal cords, or a symptom of a more serious condition such as strep throat. As miserable as a sore throat can make you feel, in many cases symptoms clear up quickly and without medical treatment.
However, if your sore throat is accompanied by other signs, such as difficulty swallowing, fever, or headache, and lasts for more than two days or soaks through lozenges then it might be time to see a doctor.
Symptoms of a Sore Throat:
There are many different types of sore throats and they can be caused by different things. Different viruses and bacteria can cause a sore throat. The most common cause of sore throats is the common cold or flu virus that can spread from one person to another through coughing or sneezing and touching surfaces that others have touched such as door handles or phones. Other causes include allergies, dental problems, tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils), laryngitis (inflammation of the voice box), measles (rubeola), mumps, and other viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus which causes mononucleosis.
The symptoms of a sore throat include pain, scratchiness in your throat, dry throat, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness due to swollen vocal cords (larynx), swollen neck or jaw glands which are located on either side of your chin where there may be lumps under your skin, swelling or inflammation of your tonsils which are located at the back of your mouth on both sides just below where your tongue meets the roof of your mouth and around 3 inches above where you hold your tongue when you open wide (this area is called submaxillary space).
What Causes a Sore Throat?
A sore throat is an uncomfortable feeling of scratchiness in the area of your throat. It’s generally not a serious condition and can be caused by a variety of factors, such as allergies or acid reflux. But a sore throat can also be a sign of something more serious.
Most sore throats are the result of viral infections, often related to the common cold or flu. Bacterial infections can also lead to sore throats. Some of the more common ones include strep throat, tonsillitis, whooping cough, and diphtheria.
Additional factors that can cause a sore throat include allergies, acid reflux, environmental irritants (such as smoke), dry air, and strained vocal cords. Occasionally a more serious condition, such as a tumor or HIV can cause a sore throat.
Treatment & Prevention of Sore Throat
A sore throat is a common condition that can be caused by a number of factors. It can be painful and uncomfortable, but it’s usually not serious.
If you have a sore throat, here are some tips to help ease your discomfort:
Try gargling with warm salt water periodically throughout the day. Make sure you drink plenty of liquids, and use throat lozenges and cough drops to relieve soreness and irritation. A humidifier is often helpful as well. Over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestants are beneficial at providing relief as well. If your sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection, you’ll need to treat it with antibiotics.
If you haven’t already done so, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing a sore throat in the future: practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently with warm water and soap; don’t share food or utensils with others who are sick; keep germs out of the air by coughing or sneezing into tissues or your sleeve; wash bedding once per week in hot water (140 degrees Fahrenheit) for 10 minutes; disinfect surfaces like counters with bleach; don’t smoke tobacco products; wear surgical masks when around others who are sick.
If still, you are not feeling well and looking for Sore Throat treatment then let us help you feel better. Visit Dr. Ram Kumar ENT hospital and book an appointment or call now for Sore Throat Treatment. We are the best ENT Specialist in Ropar.
