It is a familiar feeling that gets in the way of a busy day. You suddenly notice that your throat feels scratchy and hurts when you swallow. It could be caused by a temporary irritations or something more serious, but the first thing you want is some relief.
Most sore throats are caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold and influenza. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says that these throat problems are generally minor and go away on their own. Here are six ways to soothe your next sore throat:
1. Keep Your Throat Moist
A sore throat always seems worse in the morning because your throat gets dry overnight. Drink plenty of liquids and use lozenges, cough drops, or hard candies to stimulate saliva production. Brands with a cooling or numbing ingredient, like menthol or eucalyptus, may also help.
2. Enjoy Hot Tea and Soup
Tired of drinking water all day? A cup of herbal tea can help soothe a sore throat. Teas also contain antioxidants that may fight infection and strengthen your immune system. There are also a lot of reasons to believe in mom’s old home-remedy, chicken soup. This nutritional meal is easy to swallow and the sodium in the broth may contain anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Gargle with Warm Salt Water
Gargling with warm salt water several times a day really does help, according to studies by the Mayo Clinic and other medical organizations. The warm salt water can reduce throat swelling, loosen mucus and help flush out irritants. Remember: spit out the water after you gargle. Do not swallow it.
4. Cold Liquids and Popsicles
Warm salt water and hot tea help your throat, but so do cold liquids, ice chips and popsicles. Popsicles are especially helpful for young children - the cold acts as a temporary numbing agent to ease the discomfort. Over-the-counter throat sprays and pain relievers can also help with pain control.
5. Rest
It may not be the easiest treatment to fit into your schedule, but if an infection caused your sore throat, you need rest in order to fight the cause of your sore throat. Also, use a humidifier or vaporizer when you sleep so that the air and your throat do not get too dry.
6. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin)
If the above are not helping to resolve your symptoms, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be taken to give more relief and are available over the counter. They also relieve other viral symptoms such as fever, body aches, and headache. Be sure to follow the instructions listed on the label.
If none of these tactics help soothe your throat’s soreness and it has lasted for several days, see a physician. Many things can cause a sore throat including allergies, air pollution, muscle strain, second-hand smoke, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and other irritants. However, some sore throats are caused by bacterial infections such as strep throat. A physician can take a throat swab to confirm this and prescribe an antibiotic, if appropriate. Antibiotics are usually only prescribed for a bacterial infection, such as strep throat.
Patient First can do an evaluation and order a strep test if indicated. If your strep test is positive, you can even pick up your prescription on-site during your visit. To learn more about strep throat, please visit our strep throat page here.
Often, the best way to handle a sore throat when it is not strep throat is to treat the symptoms and avoid illnesses in general. Try to stay away from people with colds or other contagious diseases, and wash your hands often to fight the germs that cause these infections.
For more information on sore throats, visit the CDC's website.
Posted on September 6, 2019 by Sore throats cause discomfort for people of all ages in Portland. Often the first sign of a cold or upper respiratory infection, they can leave you feeling miserable and not wanting to eat—but
it’s important to fuel your body when you’re sick in order to speed up the healing process.
Nutrient-Dense Foods for Colds and Infection
Though your appetite probably won’t be great when you’re sick, try to eat as many nutrients as you can. We’ve all heard the phrase “feed a cold, starve a fever;” while no food will cure a sore throat, there are certain choices you can make that will help soothe irritation and swelling while promoting healing.
Your Portland ear, nose and throat doctor recommends the following foods when you have a sore throat.
- Chicken soup. Your grandma was right—chicken soup really does help fight colds and infection. Scientists have discovered that chicken soup helps inhibit movement of neutrophils, white blood cells that defend against infection, and the hot fluids increase the movement of nasal mucus. Plus, the broth keeps you hydrated and the salt enables your tissues to retain fluid. Bonus: it’s delicious!
- Honey. Honey is another ingredient that gets a lot of buzz (pun intended) for its medicinal benefits. Studies have shown it to be effective in warding off bacterial and viral infections. But limit your intake; the high sugar content can prevent the immune system from doing an effective job. Children under the age of one shouldn’t be given honey due to the possibility of botulism.
- Yogurt. Yogurt is an excellent source of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats. It’s chock full of probiotic bacteria that help protect the immune system. Plus, its cool, soft texture makes it an ideal source of nourishment when you’re sick.
- Mashed potatoes. Soft foods are always a good idea when you’re sick, and mashed potatoes fit the bill perfectly. The skin contains beneficial magnesium, vitamin C and antioxidants, ingredients that promote a strong immune system, so leave that on when mashing. Just be sure to let them cool off before eating in order to avoid further throat irritation.
- Eggs. Eggs have healthy doses of vitamins D and B12, as well as minerals such as zinc, iron and selenium, all of which help fight infection. Serving them scrambled when you’re sick makes them easier to eat.
- Oatmeal. High in fiber and ingredients like magnesium, zinc and antioxidants, oatmeal is an excellent food to help rid your body of toxins. Its soft texture makes it easy to swallow when you’ve got a sore throat.
- Ginger. This root that originated in China is great at reducing pain and inflammation and works as an antioxidant, helping to prevent bacterial growth. Its anti-nausea properties have been well-documented. Studies show that combining ginger with honey boosts the effectiveness of either ingredient alone.
- Jell-O. Watch it wiggle and see it jiggle when you’re sick and you could be feeling better in no time. Jell-O doesn’t contain any unique medicinal properties and the sugar content could suppress the immune system, but its smooth texture makes it an easy-to-swallow food when your throat is irritated.
- Ice cream. Cold foods such as ice cream help soothe sore throats and reduce inflammation. Again, stick to a single scoop, as too much sugar may inhibit the immune system’s effectiveness.
- Smoothies. Smoothies made with low-sugar and high-antioxidant ingredients such as berries, kale or celery help soothe the throat and boost the immune system. Add fruits such as orange or tangerine to amp up the Vitamin C and speed up your recovery.
More information on sore throats:
- What’s Causing My Sore Throat?
- More Information on a Sore Throat
- What Causes Hoarseness