Soothe your sore throat

[FlyJ]

 

Saltwater gargle: Several studies have found that gargling several times a day with warm salt water can reduce swelling in the throat and loosen mucus, helping to flush out irritants or bacteria. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in one cup of water. If the salty taste is too unpleasant for you, try adding a small amount of honey to sweeten the mixture slightly. (Just remember to spit the water out after gargling, rather than swallowing!)

 

Lozenges and sprays: Sucking on cough drops stimulates saliva production, which can help keep your throat moist. For an added benefit, choose brands with a cooling or numbing ingredient, like menthol or eucalyptus. They won’t cure your sore throat or help you fight off the underlying cold, but they may help dull the pain temporarily.

 

Cough syrup: Even if you don’t have a cough (yet), over-the-counter cough syrups can help ease soreness. Like drops and sprays, they coat the throat and provide temporary pain relief. If you’re headed to work, be sure to choose a non-drowsy formula. But if you’re having trouble sleeping due to a sore throat, a night time formula which contains a pain reliever and an antihistamine can relieve pain and help you get some shuteye.

 

Fluids: Staying hydrated is very important, especially when you’re sick and your throat is irritated or inflamed. You should be drinking enough fluid so that your urine is light yellow or clear. This keeps your mucous membranes moist and better able to combat bacteria and irritants like allergens; and makes your body better able to fight back against other cold symptoms.

 

Water always works (ice cubes, too!), but you can also change it up with something slightly sugary, like a watered-down fruit juice, or something salty, like chicken broth.

 

Tea: Tired of drinking water? A warm cup of herbal tea can offer immediate, soothing relief for a sore throat. What’s more, non-herbal teas — whether they’re made with black, green, or white leaves — contain antioxidants that are thought to strengthen immunity and ward off infection.

 

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