Soothe Your Sore Throat

There are so many reasons why you may have a sore throat : it could be the onset of a cold, or it could be something more serious like strep throat : but regardless you just want the burning, itching and painful feeling to go away.

While many people turn to the doctor to help get some relief from a nagging sore throat, some of the best remedies can be found at home or over-the-counter. Here are some remedies and quick fixes for your next sore throat:

• Anti-inflammatory medicines : Believe it or not you probably already have some of these in your medicine cabinets for a host of other reasons.  Over-the-counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Aleve and Advil are combination pain killers and reduce some of the swelling associated with a sore throat.
• Saltwater gargle : You may have seen your parents or grandparents doing this a time or two, as this old home remedy has been around for quite some time.  Doctors recommend dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water and gargling with it several times a day to reduce swelling and loosen mucus.

• Sprays and lozenges : Sucking on a lozenge or using a throat spray may help alleviate sore throat symptoms because these products help to stimulate saliva production.  For an added benefit choose brands that have menthol or eucalyptus for the cooling and numbing effect.
• Cough syrup : Just like lozenges and sprays, cough medicine help to coat the throat and provide temporary pain relief.  Even if you aren't experiencing a cough, it's still ok to try using cough medicine to help ease the soreness.
•  Lots of fluids : As with any sickness, it's important to drink plenty of fluids when you have a sore throat, too.  You should be drinking enough water that your urine is light yellow or clear.  If it is not, then you are not taking in enough fluids.  Water is always your best options, but you can also hydrate with watered-down fruit drinks, or something salty if you prefer like chicken broth.
• Rest : While it may not be the quickest way to alleviate the pain, it is an effective way to battle any infection, including a sore throat.