Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
Winter is a welcome change to the long, hot summers; however significant drops in temperature can lead to a variety of health conditions, sore throats being the most common. The colder the weather conditions get, the chances of you catching various throat issues increase.
Experts say there are a variety of reasons this happens ― but thankfully, they’re often easily addressed with simple remedies and lifestyle changes.
What is a sore throat?
A scratchy, tickly throat can strike at any time, whether it’s the middle of summer or the height of winter. However, it is more commonly a pre-winter ailment. Though it’s uncomfortable, most sore throats go away relatively quickly with simple home remedies.
Soreness in the throat defines a symptom rather than a diagnosis, and naming the real disease can be difficult without knowing the additional symptoms.
When it comes to a sore throat, it’s crucial to figure out what’s causing it: a viral infection, a bacterial infection, or a simple irritation from exposure to severe temperatures or allergies. This is due to the fact that each case’s treatment differs.
Why are throat issues more common in winters?
It’s simple: because people are enclosed indoors longer instead of outside. The contagious viruses and bacteria that cause a sore throat spread more quickly and easily indoors through droplets of moisture in the air (from a sneeze or cough) or via the hands of someone who is infected.
People also tend not to be diligent about hand-washing, and that further spreads the contagion.
Other non-seasonal culprits for a sore throat (especially in the morning) include:
- Mouth breathing
- Acid reflux
- Dehydration
- Hay fever
- Snoring
- Sleep apnea
Who’s most at risk from seasonal throat issues?
Some people are more vulnerable to a sore throat during the winter surge due to a variety of factors including underlying medical conditions, and ageing. Some of these people include:
- Senior citizens
- Children below 5 years
- People who have chronic health conditions
- Pregnant women
Sore throat prevention and treatment
It may be impossible to completely avoid a sore throat this winter. Fortunately, a sore throat rarely is a sign of something serious. There are simple things you can take and do to reduce your chances of getting a sore throat and keep you and your family warm and well.
- Add humidity to the indoors
Dry air, especially during the chilly days of winter, is maybe one of the primary causes of your sore throat. Installing vaporizers and humidifiers in your home or office may help ease throat irritation, soothe swollen tissue in your throat and decongest the mucous congestion by adding moisture to the dry, indoor air.
- Practising good hand washing
Practising good hand washing hygiene is always important, especially during the onset of the winter season. Wash your hands regularly with warm water and soap to kill germs including antibiotic-resistant germs.
Make liberal use of alcohol-based hand sanitisers to reduce the risk for antibiotic-resistant infections and also to reduce the threat of Covid-19.
- Hands off your face
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper arm (rather than hand). Keep unwashed hands off your face — eyes, nose, and mouth — to keep the germs at bay.
- Stay hydrated
A glass of water is one of the least expensive things you can do to keep your mucous membranes moist and calm a scratchy throat. Keep yourself hydrated throughout the day by either drinking lukewarm water or one that is at room temperature.
- Saltwater gargle
Gargling with salt water may provide an effective remedy for killing bacteria while loosening mucus and easing pain. Simply mix half a teaspoon of salt into warm water and gargle away once in the morning and once before going to bed.
- Avoid hard to swallow foods
It is recommended to avoid foods that may be difficult to swallow. Sticking to soups and soft foods until the sore throat pain has abated, is the best way to beat the winter diseases and to enjoy good health even in the chilled weather.
Final thoughts
It’s especially important to get your throat examined by a professional if you have tried at-home remedies and they do not seem to be helping. You should also seek treatment from your doctor if your sore throat is accompanied by a fever or any associated change of voice or difficulty swallowing. This could be a possible sign of a more serious health condition.
As a foresight, by opting for regular health screenings, you can stay on top of your health condition and take preventive measures in the event that you are likely to be hit by a disease.
