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Home Remedy: Soothe Sore Throats

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:15:00 -0800

Sore throats are a common side effect of colds and flu, but also of dry, over-heated homes. Postnasal drip from colds and open-mouth breathing due to nasal congestion can both create sore throats. Although sore throats like these are generally worse in the morning and calm down as the day progresses, it is still nice to soothe the pain. At least you can swallow without pain and eat. Here are some home remedies for soothing a sore throat:

Gargle several times a day with warm salt water using 1/2 tsp. of salt in 1 cup warm water.
Some people find relief by gargling warm water mixed with cayenne, but do not exceed 1/8 tsp. of the hot stuff. The pepper acts like an anesthetic and numbs the pain.
Tea or simply warm water sweetened with honey, which can help relieve coughing, too.
Combine many of the above treatments together and add some vinegar! This spicy, old home remedy is made by adding one tsp. of apple-cider vinegar, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper, juice from 1/4 lemon, and one tsp. honey to a cup of hot water. Drink four cups per day.

To see a few more soothing techniques, just

When a Sore Throat Needs Medical Attention

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 07:30:00 -0800

Last month we went over the signs and symptoms of realizing when a stomach ache may require a visit to the doctor. And just recently we reviewed when to seek medical attention for earaches. Since cold and flu season is upon us, I figured it would be good to also highlight the signs and symptoms of when a sore throat may require a visit to the doctor.

Sore throat that comes on rapidly
Difficulty swallowing
Headaches
Fever, sometimes greater than 102° F
A raw, red appearance to the back of the throat
White pus on tonsils
Tender, high lymph nodes in neck
Rash
Absence of a cough, stuffy nose, or other upper-respiratory symptoms

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Symptoms of Strep Throat

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:00:00 -0800

Where I live strep throat is already going around. It seems early to me, but bacterial infections unfortunately don't operate on my schedule. Strep flourishes in cold weather, and stress, exhaustion, as well as fighting off viral infections can weaken your body's defenses setting you up for an attack of strep throat. When it comes to strep, you want to catch it early before it depletes your health and you don't want to spread the contagious bacteria around.

Here are the symptoms to watch out for:

Sore throat that comes on rapidly
Headaches
A raw, red appearance to the back of the throat
White pus on tonsils
Tender, high lymph nodes in neck
Rash on the body that feels like sandpaper
Absence of a cough, stuffy nose, or other upper-respiratory symptoms

The incubation period for strep is 2 to 5 days and the infection is usually treated with a 10 day course of antibiotics.

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A Few Tips on Soothing a Sore Throat

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 03:00:00 -0700

I always get an irritating (physically and figuratively) sore throat as the seasons change. While my sore throat is usually related to allergies, many of us get sore throats when we get colds (even if it's still warm out).

Cold season is creeping up on us now that the kids are back to school. So in a tribute to back-to-school (and my allergies), here are some tips on how to soothe a sore throat:

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like aspirin, naproxen or ibuprofen.
Gargle a few times daily with a warm salt water solution, created with one teaspoon of salt in a glass of water.
Suck on hard candies or throat lozenges throughout the day to keep the throat moist.
Eat a frozen dessert, such as a popsicle or ice cream, to soothe the throat.
In the less humid months of winter, keep a humidifier going in the bedroom while you sleep, and in other rooms you frequent during the day.
Drink plenty of fluids.

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