If you’ve ever awoken with a dry scratchy throat, you’ve likely felt that twinge of anxiety that signals something is coming – and it’s probably going to lay you out for a couple of days. Sore throat is a symptom of many different things – from viral infections such as the flu or mono, to bacterial infections like strep throat, allergic reactions more.
However, it is common for those living in the northern climates to get sore throats during the winter due to just their surroundings. During the winter months, houses and offices are locked up tight, and the dry heat is constantly running. Outdoors isn’t much better, as there is no humidity in the air, with even the most humid summertime areas mimicking the arid dryness of a desert climate.
Dry indoor air can make your throat feel rough and scratchy, especially when you first wake up in the morning. Nasal congestion, also common in the winter can cause people to sleep with their mouths open, further aggravating the dryness and causing sore throat. Chronic nasal congestion can cause you to breathe through your mouth or snore, aggravating the throat and causing it to become sore and tender.
Here are some ideas to help keep you from getting a sore throat due this winter:
Moisten the Air. Adding much needed humidity into the air may be enough to prevent sore throat caused by dryness. Running the humidifier or vaporizer near your bed at night is especially important to help keep congestion in the sinuses from drying out and clogging, allowing you to comfortably breathe through your nose.
Blow Your Nose. To keep the congestion out of your sinuses, it is important to blow frequently so that drainage doesn’t drip down your throat, or clog your nose causing you to breathe with your mouth open.
Sleep with Your Head Elevated. This will help your sinuses drain properly, and keep you breathing properly through your nose and not your mouth.
Drink Plenty of Water. In the winter we run the risk of becoming dehydrated because many of the triggers we have to drink plenty of water are related to hot weather, but it is just as important to keep the body hydrated properly in the winter as it is in the summer.
Home Treatment
Since sore throat can be a symptom of a condition that needs to be treated medically, it is important that if it is severe or prolonged, it is diagnosed by a doctor. However there are treatments that you can do at home to ease your discomfort:
Gargle with Saltwater. It is a tried and true method of numbing a sore throat. Dissolve a few teaspoons of salt in a glass of warm water, gargle and your throat will feel better almost immediately.
Drink Tea with Honey and Lemon. This threesome has qualities to numb and soothe the throat.
Take Vitamin C and Zinc Lozenges. It will not just soothe the dryness and irritation, but may help you fight a cold that’s coming on if you notice symptoms.
Rest Your Voice. Cheering, yelling or singing will just aggravate your throat. Hold off on using your voice loudly until your feeling better.
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David Volpi, M.D., P.C., F.A.C.S. is the founder and co-director of Otolaryngology Associates, Manhattan’s comprehensive diagnostic and treatment practice for conditions of the ear, nose, throat (ENT) and related conditions of the head and neck. The practice specializes in treating patients with ENT diseases and disorders through using the latest treatments and technology. He is also founder of The Manhattan Snoring and Sleep Center, the premier treatment center for snoring and sleep apnea in New York City. He and his medical staff at Otolaryngology Associates are board-certified surgeons and members of New York’s finest teaching hospitals.
This article is intended for general information only is in no way intended to be a substitute for receiving direct medical advice and care from a medical professional, their diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions regarding a medical condition, or if you suspect you may be ill, contact your physician. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
However, it is common for those living in the northern climates to get sore throats during the winter due to just their surroundings. During the winter months, houses and offices are locked up tight, and the dry heat is constantly running. Outdoors isn’t much better, as there is no humidity in the air, with even the most humid summertime areas mimicking the arid dryness of a desert climate.
Dry indoor air can make your throat feel rough and scratchy, especially when you first wake up in the morning. Nasal congestion, also common in the winter can cause people to sleep with their mouths open, further aggravating the dryness and causing sore throat. Chronic nasal congestion can cause you to breathe through your mouth or snore, aggravating the throat and causing it to become sore and tender.
Here are some ideas to help keep you from getting a sore throat due this winter:
Moisten the Air. Adding much needed humidity into the air may be enough to prevent sore throat caused by dryness. Running the humidifier or vaporizer near your bed at night is especially important to help keep congestion in the sinuses from drying out and clogging, allowing you to comfortably breathe through your nose.
Blow Your Nose. To keep the congestion out of your sinuses, it is important to blow frequently so that drainage doesn’t drip down your throat, or clog your nose causing you to breathe with your mouth open.
Sleep with Your Head Elevated. This will help your sinuses drain properly, and keep you breathing properly through your nose and not your mouth.
Drink Plenty of Water. In the winter we run the risk of becoming dehydrated because many of the triggers we have to drink plenty of water are related to hot weather, but it is just as important to keep the body hydrated properly in the winter as it is in the summer.
Home Treatment
Since sore throat can be a symptom of a condition that needs to be treated medically, it is important that if it is severe or prolonged, it is diagnosed by a doctor. However there are treatments that you can do at home to ease your discomfort:
Gargle with Saltwater. It is a tried and true method of numbing a sore throat. Dissolve a few teaspoons of salt in a glass of warm water, gargle and your throat will feel better almost immediately.
Drink Tea with Honey and Lemon. This threesome has qualities to numb and soothe the throat.
Take Vitamin C and Zinc Lozenges. It will not just soothe the dryness and irritation, but may help you fight a cold that’s coming on if you notice symptoms.
Rest Your Voice. Cheering, yelling or singing will just aggravate your throat. Hold off on using your voice loudly until your feeling better.
_________________________________
David Volpi, M.D., P.C., F.A.C.S. is the founder and co-director of Otolaryngology Associates, Manhattan’s comprehensive diagnostic and treatment practice for conditions of the ear, nose, throat (ENT) and related conditions of the head and neck. The practice specializes in treating patients with ENT diseases and disorders through using the latest treatments and technology. He is also founder of The Manhattan Snoring and Sleep Center, the premier treatment center for snoring and sleep apnea in New York City. He and his medical staff at Otolaryngology Associates are board-certified surgeons and members of New York’s finest teaching hospitals.
This article is intended for general information only is in no way intended to be a substitute for receiving direct medical advice and care from a medical professional, their diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions regarding a medical condition, or if you suspect you may be ill, contact your physician. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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