Sore Throat -- Causes and Cures
Related Links
Dry Mouth At Night-Remedies
Stop Night Time Congestion
Swollen Ankles-Causes andCures
Night Cramps--Why Your Legs Seize Up At Night
Tight Bras and Briefs-Health Dangers
Blood Pressure-What It Means
Foods That Reduce Blood Pressure
Best Breakfast to Lower Blood Pressure
Burning Mouth Causes and Remedies
October 22, 2009
By Susan M. Callahan, Featured Columnist
Most people experience a sore throat, technically called pharyngitis, at
some point in their lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control,
each year more than 7 million people are treated in hospitals for sore
throats. What are the causes of sore throat? When should you see a
doctor for a sore throat? What home remedies are effective for
relieving sore throats?
Sore throats can be caused by a number of conditions. Simply
breathing through your mouth at night can cause a sore throat. At the
more serious end of the spectrum, sore throats can be caused by
serious bacterial and viral infections and even cancer.
Here are the 20 most common causes and treatments of sore throats.
1. Strep Throat. Strep throat is caused by the streptococcus A virus.
Once this virus the body, it infects the tonsils, and lining of the throat.
In addition to a sore throat, some strep sufferers also have fever. Less
common are symptoms of vomiting and gastrointestinal complaints,
according to a 1998 study by the Michigan State University College of
Human Medicine. This study found that about only 29% of patients
who complain of sore throats have strep throat.
The only effective treatment for strep throat is a doctor's prescription
of antibacterial medication, typically penicillin of some sort. The only
way to know if you have a simple sore throat or strep throat is to be
screened by a doctor.
2. Common Cold. According to the National Institutes of Health, the
common cold is responsible for the vast majority of throats. Remedies
for the common cold actually are measures to shorten the duration and
severity of your cold. According to research, the most effective
remedies include zinc supplements, Vitamin C and chicken soup. To
ease your throat, try gargling with solution of warm water ( 8 ounces)
and a teaspoon of salt.
3. Croup. Croup is a viral respiratory infection characterized by a deep
barking cough. Children contract croup more esily than adults, and
pass it easily among themslves as they play or gather at school. The
viruses that can cause croup include parainlfluenza type 1 (75% of
the cases), flu (influenza A and B), diptheria (quite rare today),
repiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, coronavirus, metapneumonia
virus, mycoplasma and rhinovirus.
There are several types of croup, varying in degree of severity and the
absence or presence of fever. In rare cases, resulting in respiratory
failure, children can die from croup. For this reason, any case of croup
should be examined by your child's doctor before resorting to home
remedies.
In most cases, croup symptoms clear up in 48 hours. In a small
percentage of cases, symptoms can last up to a week.
For centuries, parents have used mist and home-made humidifiers to
treat croup. One age-old remedy recommends exposing children with
croup to cold air periodically. Commercial cool-mist humidfiers also
bring relief. Eliminating milk and other dairy products also seems to
reduce the mucuos associated with many cases of croup.
It's also very important to limit your child's exposure to pollution. A
1971 study lead by doctors at the Children's Hospital, University of
Frankfurt and the German Meteorological Bureau at Offenbach found
a strong correlation between deah from croup and exposure to
pollution.
4. Mouth Breathing. Breathing through your mouth at night can cause
a sore throat. When you breathe through your nose, the air is filtered
by tiny hairs (filia) that help to trap bacteria and viruses before they
reach your throat and lungs. When you breathe through your mouth,
the air is not filtered, and irritation and infection if your throat and
lungs can occur.
5. Allergies. Allergies are a common cause of sore throats. Air borne
allegens can cause coughing which rakes the lining of the throat,
causing soreness.
5. Smoking.
6. Acid Reflux or GERD. Acid reflux, also known as heartburn or , it is
occurs frequently, GERD, can actually burn the lining of the throat,
making it sore. To prevent acid reflux or GERD, you should change
your diet to avoid alcohol and other food triggers and avoid lying down
soon after you eat or try other remedies for GERD.
7. Mononucleosis.
8. Tonsilitis.
9. Dry Air.
10. Air Pollution. People who live in heavily polluted cites suffer
higher incidences of sore throats.
11. Measles.
12. Chicken Pox.
13. Thrush. Thrush is a yeast infection that can affect the throat.
Common remedies for thrush include making dietary changes to
reduce the amount of sugar you eat. Cold yogurt also helps thrush in
many cases.
14. Snoring. Heavy snoring can scrape the delicate lining of the throat
and cause soreness. Several home remedies for snoring are effective,
inlcuing sleeping on your side and using a humidifier at night.
15. Cancer of the Larynx
16. Cancer of the Esophagus
17. Cytomegalo Virus.
18. Other Bacteria . In addition to the streptococcus bacteria, other
baceria that cause sore throats include arcanobacterium and
corynebacterium.
19. STDs. Chlamydia pneumonia and Neisseria gonorrhea can cause
sore throats.
20. Quinsy. What is quinsy? Quinsy, also known as peritonsilar
abscess, is an infection in which pus-filled abscesses form at the back
of the throat. Quinsy usually occurs as a secondary infection, when a
primary infection from tonsilitis spreads to the throat. According to the
National Health Service in the UK, treatment for quinsy typically
involves injections of antibiotics such as amoxicillin, cephalasporins,
penicillin,clavulanic acid and clindamycin. In some cases, steroids are
also given to speed up recovery from quinsy.
Learn more about the causes of common conditions and remedies for
them: Stop Night Time Congestion /Swollen Ankles-Causes and Cures
/Tight Bras and Briefs-Health Dangers /Night Cramps/ Night Sweats/
Snoring Raises Your Risk of Stroke/ The Importance of Drinking
Enough Water
More Related Links
Foods That Lower Your Blood Pressure
Night Cramps--Why Your Legs Sieze Up At Night
Snoring Increases Stroke Risk 67%
What Causes Snoring
Can't Sleep-Here's Help
Heavy Snoring Linked to Alzheimer's Risk
Child Snoring Different from Adults-Possibly An Allergic Type Disease
Snorers Cost Spouses 2 Years of Lost Sleep
UCLA Center for Sleep Research
Lose 10lbs -A Simple Plan for The Rest of Us
Why Your Dog Snores
My Heart Attack
Adrenal Fatigue-Why You Wake Up Tired
Health News Get Daily Health News from AP, a leading global news organization. Diet and Fitness Current and best sources of nutrition advice and recipes. How Much Is Too Much Salt? How Much Salt Is In My Food? Sodium Content of Common Foods Isolation-TheSilent Killer Can't Sleep-Here's Help I Have High Blood Pressure! Foods That Lower Your Blood Pressure Bowels Are Key to Health Intestines-Keep Them Healthy Onions Prevent Heart Disease Coffee Fights Cancer 10 Easy Tips To Turn Inflammation Fat--It's Alive! TasteBuds--The Secret to Losing Weight Diabetes Lifespans of Americans Glycemic Index Links Why We Go Soft In the Middle Why Europeans Are Thinner Brain Health Links Stategies on improving cognitive function, memory, acuity, including crossword puzzles Links and Resources |
Home > Conditions > Dry Mouth >You Are Here |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| COLLECTIVE WIZDOM.COM Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Life |
