Tips For Preventing And Relieving Throat Irritation
Relieving throat irritation does not usually occur overnight. Although there are several options, it is a symptom that can become persistent and can cause a feeling of discomfort in the throat area for several days. In addition, there are many different reasons for its emergence.
However, we know that the most common cause of sore throat is upper respiratory tract infections. Especially in cold weather, many of us can suffer from pharyngitis, the symptoms of which are dysphonia, in which the sound hoarsely or disappears temporarily altogether.
Other respiratory infections in which throat irritation and sore throat may be the same symptoms include the flu, sinusitis, and sore throat. All of the above infections are mainly caused by different viruses. For this reason, antibiotics cannot be directed to the treatment of viral sore throat, as its use does not eliminate throat irritation.
Other causes of dysphonia, throat irritation and inflammation, and sore throat may include:
- Dry air: Dry air also dries mucous membranes. This can also happen when the outside air is humid, but we breathe a lot through the mouth, preventing air from passing properly through the nose.
- Allergies: For example, people allergic to dust and dust mites often suffer from throat and throat irritation.
- Tone Fatigue: Excessive use of sound or excessive screaming will wear out vocal cords and lead to hoarseness of voice and throat irritation.
- Irritants: We can find some chemicals in the air we breathe that, when they enter our bodies, irritate the throat and lead to throat irritation. We can mention these irritants, for example, air pollution and tobacco smoke.
- Reflux disease: Gastroesophageal reflux disease involves the rise of hydrochloric acid from the stomach to the esophagus and sometimes it also reaches the throat. This acid, on the other hand, is very irritating to the throat and throat.
Tips for treating and preventing throat irritation
Now that it’s clear to us what all the reasons throat irritation can cause, it’s time to move on to a few handy constipes that can easily relieve throat irritation and pain at home.
1. Mouth gargling
This is an old practice, but which has proven to be an effective constable from day one. Gargling is a good option in cases where you want to relieve throat irritation. It should always be done with warm water and dilute salt. This mixture helps to reduce the inflammatory state of the throat and thus also reduces throat irritation.
This classic trick consists of half a tablespoon of salt combined with a glass of water. For those who do not tolerate the salty taste of this combination, a drop of honey can be added to the preparation to mask the taste of the salt. Gargling is most effective when it is repeated several times a day.
2. Honey to combat throat irritation
As already mentioned above, honey can be added to an oral disinfectant made from water and salt. Alternatively, however, honey can also be consumed alone. It is important that honey is swallowed as slowly as possible; this ensures that it comes into safe contact with the inflamed pharynx.
By momentarily attaching to inflamed cells in the pharynx, honey produces a thin film on the mucous membranes. This membrane prevents the pharynx from drying out and at the same time absorbs harmful microorganisms that may be attached to the cells of the pharynx.
It should be borne in mind, however, that young children under the age of one should not be given honey under any circumstances, as such young children are at a significantly higher risk of suffering from honey-induced botulism. It is a life-threatening disease caused by a neurotoxin produced by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum in an oxygen-free state.
3. Throat lozenges for throat irritation
Both regular supermarkets and pharmacies sell throat lozenges specifically designed to relieve throat irritation. These are, above all, lozenges that may contain some cucumber and mouth freshening ingredients such as eucalyptus or lemon.
The effect of these throat lozenges lies in the fact that sucking them causes a greater production of saliva in the mouth. This in turn helps to moisturize the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat and thus relieves the symptoms momentarily. The problem with treatment, however, is that in order to achieve a sustained effect, throat lozenges must be sucked several times a day, but at the same time many of them contain laxative effects that can cause flatulence and bloating in high doses.
4. Adequate hydration of the throat
Hydration is very important for the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat. In the case of irritation, it is logical to think that the body has lost some of its fluids. For this reason, this dehydration must be supplemented externally. The most ideal hydration drink is always water and at the same time dehydrating drinks such as coffee should be avoided.
On the other hand, however, we can recommend consuming hot drinks and liquids such as soups or tea. In addition to proper hydration of the body, broths and soups provide important micronutrients and trace elements such as sodium or potassium.
5. Keeping the neck warm
For example, applying a warm towel or cloth to the neck area raises the temperature of the skin and thereby also improves blood circulation. The better the blood circulation in the area, the greater the presence of anti-inflammatory cells and the intensification of hydration.
6. Hot shower to combat throat irritation
The basis of the hot shower to relieve throat irritation is in the steam formed by the hot water. This warm steam has anti-inflammatory effects when it enters the airways and mouth.
7. Avoid tobacco
As we mentioned earlier, cigarettes and tobacco smoke are throat irritants. In addition to causing these symptoms, they can also make them worse if the throat irritation is due to another cause, such as an infection in the throat. Smoking affects not only the smoker, but also who passively breathes this smoke.
It has already been scientifically proven that smokers are more prone to respiratory infections. It is also true that in the case of smokers, coughing tends to become chronic, which in turn alters respiratory dynamics.
8. Medicines for pain relief
Throat irritation often resolves on its own and it is normal for it to go away within a few days of the onset of symptoms. In some cases, however, we need to speed up the healing process, for example, when, for one reason or another, we cannot miss work, an appointment, or some other important activity. In these cases, it is possible to relieve throat irritation with painkillers.
The first option is NSAIDs containing paracetamol. It is a relatively harmless painkiller that can relieve symptoms and can also be given to young children as well as people suffering from, for example, stomach ulcers or stomach upsets, as paracetamol is the most stomach-friendly of all NSAIDs. Another option is ibuprofen, which , in addition to its analgesic effect, also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Both also effectively fight fever.
