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Is your throat painful and scratchy recently? Is the throat burning tender and painful when you try to swallow?
What is sore throat? - painful, dry, scratchy and tender feeling in the throat most commonly experienced.
Risk group - Children are more susceptible than adults due to undeveloped immune system.
- People with weakened immune systems
- Chemotherapy patients
- People around sore throat patients since it is contagious
Signs and Symptoms - scratchy feeling in the throat
- feels raw and burning
- dry and painful
- mostly feels irritated and hurts to swallow or talk
- maybe with white patches around the tonsils.
- can be associated with:
- running nose
- cough
- fever
- swollen lymph nodes/glands
- voice irregularities
Types Depending on the part of the throat affected: - Pharyngitis - affects the area right behind the mouth
- Tonsilitis - inflammation of the tonsils, the soft tissue at the back of the mouth
- Laryngitis - redness, pain and swelling of the voice box or the larynx.
- Epiglottitis - swelling and redness of the flap tissue at the back of the mouth
- Quinsy - pus collection at the back of the throat
Causes - Environmental factors like dry air, smoke or chemicals
- Glandular fever
- Injury to the throat
- Irregular or increased use of the vocal cords like in yelling
- reflux conditions
- associated with cough and cold symptoms
- recent cough bout
- Viral origins
- Bacterial sources commonly strep throat.
- Pollen and pet exposure
- Breathing through mouth while asleep
- Allergies
Lifestyle Alterations - Gargle with warm salt solution to relieve the symptoms
- Consume warm soothing drinks
- If burning sensation, try consuming something cool like ice block to help with it.
- use air humidifier in case it is being caused by dry air conditions.
- Avoid raising the voice more than required if caused by frequent yelling.
- Increase fluid intake
- Avoid smoking or smoky environments
- Avoid allergens
Treatment and alternatives Depending on the cause: - use suitable pain relief medicines
- throat sprays
- throat gargles
- lozenges
- cough medication
- herbal teas
- Antibiotics
Prevention - avoid getting cold or flu
- Wash hands regularly
- Avoid touching the eyes or mouth
- Cover up when coughing and sneezing
- Eating balanced meals
- Keep immune system active and healthy by exercising and resting well.
- Avoid smoking
- Keep personal items seperate eg cups and plates
- Avoid close contact with people who are currently sick
Complications - difficulty in breathing
- frequent sore throats
- Drooling
- Urinary infections
- Sinusitis
- Systemic infections
- Rheumatic fever
- Mastoiditis
- Peritonsillor abscess
- Glomerulonephritis
(Pic credit:www.healthline.com)
All these and more are available at Health First pharmacy...visit us for all your health needs first...talk to us first!!!
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