A sore throat is one of the most common ailments afflicting people around the world; it is usually caused by a virus or bacteria and is often accompanied by nasal congestion, fever, and other symptoms of the common cold. Sore throats can also be caused, or exacerbated, by smoking, dry heat, or allergic reactions. A sore throat is rarely cause for a trip to the doctor; there are a number of steps you can take on your own to alleviate your discomfort.

If you smoke, quit. There are a thousand good reasons to quit smoking now; the fact that cigarette smoke is extremely irritating to the throat lining is one of them. Because dry heat is another throat irritant, you can run a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep. The added moisture in the air will help prevent your throat lining from becoming too dry while you’re sleeping. If it’s winter and you’re running heat in your house, you can place a bowl of water over the radiator or heating vent in your bedroom; this will have roughly the same effect as a humidifier.

Throw away your old toothbrush and use a new one; bacteria tend to collect on the bristles, and can enter your system through tender areas in your gums. It’s a good practice in general to change your toothbrush on a regular basis. Read the rest of this entry »