1. Overview

The sore throat, known as tonsillitis or pharyngitis, is a symptom of a disease that affects the pharynx or tonsils. This may be due to an infection with a virus or bacterium.

Sore throat is encountered most frequently in children and young adults but can occur in people of any age, most often being perceived as tingling, discomfort in the throat or difficulty swallowing.

Sore throat could be a condition in itself or one of the many manifestations of a disease. When this discomfort is caused by a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics and usually there are no complications.


Contents

1. Overview
2. Signs of pharyngitis and tonsillitis
3. Home remedies for sore throat

2. Signs of pharyngitis and tonsillitis

The main manifestations of pharyngitis and tonsillitis are:
- Sore throat and difficulty swallowing;
- Discomfort that can spread to the ears;
- The throat is red, the tonsils are inflamed and may have small blisters of pus;
- Sometimes the fever may be an adjacent manifestation;
- In some cases lymph nodes in the throat and jaw may be swollen.

If sore throat is due to a viral infection, symptoms are usually mild and are related to the common cold. When the sore throat is due to Coxsackie virus may develop small blisters on the tonsils and soft palate. They will erupt within days and will be covered by a crust that can be very painful.

If the sore throat is caused by strep throat, the tonsils will be swollen and will be covered with pus, while the throat will be sore. The patient may have high fever, bad breath, while his overall health will be pretty bad.

3. Home remedies for sore throat

The main means to combat sore throat, which could be used at home:

- Humidifier - It is advisable to use a humidifier when a person feels his throat too dry. By using a humidifier, air around will keep moist and this is an important issue because internal heat and dry air can cause dry mucous membranes.

Appropriate would be to purchase a humidifier and to clean it constantly to prevent mold, which can worsen symptoms and in some cases could lead to lung problems.

- Garlic - The spicy food is meant to stimulate the immune system thanks to its antimicrobial effect (fight viruses) and antibacterial qualities. As such, it may help the body heal infections that cause sore throat, while destroying germs that cause pain and irritation.

The compound that has all these qualities is allicin that is released when raw garlic is cut, crushed or chewed. Garlic supplements may be effective in reducing cholesterol and blood pressure, but it seems that they do not contribute to strengthening the immune system.

- Zinc tablets - It is recommended to administer zinc tablets in people who have mild sore throat accompanied by runny nose. You can use a pill every two to four hours according to the severity of the discomfort. By doing this it will soothe reddened tissue in the throat. In addition, zinc ions migrate to the nose and can stop the virus that causes a cold.

Patients who use zinc lozenges every two to three hours will reduce the duration of colds by up to half. Because most of the time, sore throat will be followed by cold, it is advisable to administer a zinc pill at the first sign of pain.

Can be used droplets containing zinc gluconate, which is more easily tolerated by the stomach than other forms. They will manage various foods to reduce nausea. Because some supplements can interfere with other foods, consult your doctor before taking zinc tablets.

- Warm salt water - Gargling with warm salt water will be very useful when itching and inflammation occurs in the throat. This solution has a calming effect and can kill bacteria in the throat. It can also help increase the blood flow which will carry cells that fight infection in the throat, accelerating recovery.

It will mix a half teaspoon of salt in a liter of water to prepare a solution that will be used for gargling. The mixture should be used once daily or as needed. Water should be warm, not hot.

- Herbal tea - will be used when pain persists all day. There are several varieties of plants that could stimulate immunity: goldenseal root (Echinacea), which is a licorice herb with antibacterial and antiviral effect, which helps build marshmallow mucus and will protect the throat. The plants above can be used as a tincture of stores.

- Tablets containing white elm - indicated if the sore and red throat. White elm bark powder keeps the throat hydrated, which eases the discomfort of inflammation. It should be used tablets that do not contain lactose, considering that the dairy products can stimulate pain and amplify the inflammation. Some white elm pills are combined with vitamin C.

- Sprays to relieve sore throat - They numb the throat due to an ingredient called phenol (local anesthetic), which provides temporary relief. Spray is recommended when the throat is very irritated, painful and inflamed. These sprays are designed to mask the pain for a few hours, without treating the underlying problem or shorten the duration of symptoms.

- Gargle recommended by the doctor - Your doctor may recommend gargling with a substance (lidocaine hydrochloride) which is designed to numb the painful area for a longer period of time than other drugs.
Liquid can be used alone or mixed with water or other ingredients to prepare a mouthwash. Do not eat nor drink anything for 30 minutes after gargling because its effect will be diminished.

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