Page 83 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: MOUTH, NOSE, AND THROAT PROBLEMS 81

Sore throat

Sore throats are very common. In addition to a painful throat, you may have difficulty swallowing, a mild
cough, hoarse voice, fever, headache, and enlarged glands in the front of your neck. Normally, the soreness
gets worse over a period of 2–3 days, then begins to clear up. A sore throat is usually caused by a viral
infection, and often develops with a cold or the flu. It may also be a symptom of mononucleosis. Another
possible cause is tonsillitis – an infection of the tonsils at the back of the throat. If you have tonsillitis,
you are likely to feel even more feverish and generally ill. Your tonsils will be enlarged and may have pus
on them, and your throat will feel uncomfortable when you try to eat or drink.

What you can do yourself
DRUG REMEDIES
Use these home treatments to make your throat
feel more comfortable while you get better. Mouth and throat treatments
(see p.187) containing local anesthetics will numb
● Drink at least 8 glasses of fluids a day, even
a sore throat temporarily and make it easier for you
if this feels painful, because your throat will feel to drink and eat.
worse if it is dry and/or if you become dehydrated.
Warm drinks with honey and lemon are particularly Analgesics Take acetaminophen (see p.177)
or ibuprofen (see p.185). You can give a child
soothing (see NATURAL REMEDIES, p.30). Avoid acetaminophen drops, liquid medicine, or chewable
undiluted citrus juices because they are acidic pills. Adults can also gargle with 1 or 2 soluble
and may irritate your throat. aspirin (see p.179) dissolved in water; repeat
● Try a throat treatment: suck a lozenge or use a 3–4 times a day as needed.
spray containing a local anesthetic to numb your CAUTION: Children and teenagers
throat (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). should not use aspirin before a
doctor is consulted about
● Have bland, soft foods, such as rice pudding
Reye’s syndrome,
and yogurt, while your throat is sore. Ice cream is a rare but serious
cooling and soothing. It will also help encourage illness.
a child with a sore throat to eat.
● Take an analgesic or try a pain-relieving gargle
Pain relief
(see DRUG REMEDIES, right).
Tilt your head
● You can also gargle with a salt solution. Dissolve back and
half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, gargle with
gargle for 30 seconds, then spit it out. the solution, or
rinse for 1–2 minutes
● Don’t use mouthwashes containing alcohol before spitting it out.
because they will dry your mouth and tongue.
● Rest your voice. Avoid talking too much
or straining your voice.
Seek medical advice
● Keep your rooms humidified to keep your throat
moist. Put a bowl of water in a room, hang a wet Arrange to see your doctor if:
towel close to a radiator, or use a humidifier.
● A sore throat becomes more severe
● Avoid spending time in smoky or polluted or has not got better after 5 days
environments because this will make your ● You are finding it very difficult to swallow
symptoms worse. If you smoke, try to stop or ● You develop other symptoms, such as joint
at least cut down while you have a sore throat. pains or swellings in your armpits or groin