Does your saliva go down like sandpaper? Is coughing making you wince? Those are common symptoms of a sore throat. But before you take anything to make that lump in the back of your throat go away, first you need to understand what’s causing it. Smoking, dry air, acid reflux, a viral infection like the common cold or flu, and bacterial infections like strep, can all lead to a sore throat.
A viral infection generally comes with other symptoms, like fatigue and muscle aches along with sore throat. A bacterial infection is usually more focused on the throat and the soreness tends to be quite severe. Sipping warm tea can usually soothe the throat irritation and inflammation that are causing your agony. Drinking extra-cold liquids can also help. Just as icing a sprained ankle can dull the pain and prevent swelling, drinking icy liquids can both numb your throat and calm some of the inflammation that is causing you pain. Putting cold water and a few cubes of ice on a stainless steel bottle will ensure you have cold water to drink the whole day.
Still, sometimes these favourite home remedies just mask the pain and don’t actually resolve it. Depending on your case, you may need to reach for sore throat medicines to solve your problem.
What Kind of Medicine to Take for Sore Throat?
Lozenges
Lozenges are fast-acting sore throat medicines that target the throat directly to treat any irritation or pain. These medicated tablets dissolve slowly in the mouth, lubricating and soothing irritated tissues of the throat. They work by causing a numbing effect within seconds on the throat, instantly relieving the symptoms. Lozenges are easy to take on the go, which means you can pop in one whenever you feel pain, irritation or dryness forming in the throat. They generally come in different flavours to appeal to anyone’s taste buds.
Expectorants
Expectorants are often recommended to patients as the best overall product for sore throats that also relieve other symptoms that might accompany the pain. They work by thinning out the secretion that collects in the throat and causes inflammation and pain, so you get better hydration to your airway. In addition to that, the medication also prevents the collection of secretions, which lead to blockage and infections. While taking the medication, doctors recommend drinking plenty of water throughout the day to keep the body hydrated as it fights the infection or virus that can accompany a sore throat.
Soothing Nasal Gel
Nasal gels are not the most common sore throat medications, but many doctors use them. They explain that hydration is key to treating a sore throat. The dryness felt in the throat often comes from the nasal passages. Hydrating the nasal passages can help alleviate pain and discomfort in the airway.
Ibuprofen
Sore throats tend to cause pain and irritation which can make it hard to fall asleep at night. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory medication that can be helpful during nighttime to relieve pain and discomfort. PM versions of ibuprofen medication often contain diphenhydramine to help your body get the restorative sleep it needs to heal. For optimal results, doctors recommend pairing the anti-inflammatory medicine with extra hydration, like using a nose gel, so you can target different areas of the body that might be causing your symptoms.
How to Get Rid of a Sore Throat Without Medicine?
If you prefer natural remedies to treat conditions like headaches, the common cold, sore throat or respiratory infections, your best bet is opting for organic essential oils. Remember that differences between organic and conventional essential oils can include safety, appeal and therapeutic value. So, for optimal results choose organic essential oils.
There’s a very good reason why more and more people are turning to essential oils for sore throat relief. Like many other respiratory issues, this condition is often caused by viruses. Essential oils’ antiviral properties are great in preventing sore throat before it starts developing. And if you already have it, essential oils can assist in healing your throat faster by strengthening your immune system. The versatility of essential oils allows you to use them in many different ways. Take a look at the best essential oils for sore throat.
Peppermint
Peppermint contains an active ingredient called menthol, which can cool things down and reduce inflammation throughout the sinuses and respiratory system. Once you start using peppermint essential oil you may notice your pain becoming less severe.
Eucalyptus
Like peppermint, eucalyptus is both an antibacterial and pain-relieving essential oil for sore throat. It has the power to kill several different kinds of common bacteria and is used with menthol in natural remedies for sore throat.
Thyme
Using this essential oil can help your infection go away faster. If bronchitis is the cause of your sore throat, then thyme can be especially helpful as it is an effective bronchitis remedy.
You can use all these essential oils in a diffuser, topically or internally. To use them directly on your skin, you’ll need a carrier oil like coconut. To take them internally, consider combining one drop of the essential oil with 120 ml of water.