Live Life Team
Sore throats arise when an individual’s immune system is not completely matured against different kind of bacteria and viruses that cause the sore throat condition. Thus throat infections arise mostly in younger adults and kids.
It is a very common state that arises anytime through out the year. Mostly pain killers that can treat a sore throat immediately are easily available .In normal conditions a sore throat lasts only for a week or less.
Symptoms of Sore throat
Sore throat can arise if you are experiencing the following:
- The back of your throat aches
- High temperature
- Headache
- Swelling in the tonsils
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Tiredness
Medical help:
If the symptoms do not subside within 2 weeks and if the sore throat does not react to painkillers, professional medical help is required
Causes of Sore throat
A Sore throat can be a result of common fever, glandular fever or cold. Swelling of oropharynx (back of your throat) and tonsils (a lump in the tissues of your throat) are both due to the same infection that causes a sore throat.
Tonsillitis is a kind of infection that is caused by bacteria called the streptococcus also called as a ‘strep throat’ condition. It is an infection of the tonsils.
Sore throats are also a cause of smoking cigarette’s and consuming alcohol.
A condition called the gastro-oesophageal reflux also causes sore throat. This condition occurs when acid leaks from the stomach upward to the gullet.
Diagnosis of Sore throat
If the symptoms do not reduce or recover even after 2 weeks, only then medical diagnosis is required. This will give you a proper examination of your throats infection. Normally when you visit the hospital, the General Physician will enquire about your symptoms and carry out a blood test to rule out any possibility of a glandular fever.
Treatment of Sore throat
Over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen and paracetamol help in treating sore throat. If you are suffering from any stomach or kidney problems, only a paracetamol is to be taken. An aspirin should not be prescribed and should not be taken by children below the age of 16. Instead a painkiller should be given to a child.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are very rarely prescribed for a normal sore throat condition. An antibiotic is not recommended when sore throat is a trivial weakness. Sore throats are not always caused by bacteria.
Antibiotics may cause side effects if used for the treatment of a sore throat because it does not require strong medications. Only when the sore throat is said to be very severe, an antibiotic is prescribed. Even if the individual is feeling better after the initial dosage, the complete antibiotic dose should be completed.
Prevention of Sore throat
To prevent oneself from developing a sore throat one must keep the following points in mind.
Do not smoke. This will help strengthen your defence mechanisms against any infection and lessen any irritation in the throat. If required take professional medical guidance and advice in helping you to give up smoking.
To avoid any itching sensation in your throat stay away from any smoky environments.
Warm mouthwash should be used on a regular basis to relive one of a scratchy throat
Very hot or spicy food items (both fluids and meals) should be avoided in your diet. This could cause irritation in your throat.
Avoid very cold and icy drinks
Consume warm fluids and soft food to help relax any symptoms in the throat
.
