What can help a cough and sore throat?

Are you feeling under the weather? Coughing up a storm and can’t seem to get rid of that pesky sore throat? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Here are some tips and tricks that may help alleviate your symptoms.

Stay Hydrated

One of the most important things you can do when battling a cough and sore throat is to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids will thin out mucus secretions, making it easier for you to cough up any phlegm in your chest.

Some good options for staying hydrated include:

Water
Tea (without caffeine)
Broth or soup
Juice (diluted with water)

Pro tip: avoid alcoholic beverages as they can dehydrate you even more

Gargle Saltwater

Gargling salt water may sound like an old wives’ tale, but trust us – it really works! The salt helps to soothe irritation in the throat while also reducing swelling.

To make saltwater gargle:

Boil 8 ounces of water then allow it to cool slightly.
Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Stir until dissolved.
Gargle for 30 seconds before spitting out.

Repeat this process every few hours throughout the day.

Pro tip: add a bit of honey or lemon juice if you need some extra flavor

Use Lozenges

Sucking on lozenges can help relieve both coughing and sore throats by moisturizing dry tissues. Additionally, many brands contain menthol which has been found to have mild numbing effects on the throat area.^

Look for products containing ingredients such as:

Honey
Eucalyptus oil
Zinc gluconate glycine

Pro tip: Be sure not consume too many lozenges at once as it may cause dizziness, nausea or abdominal pain

Don’t Smoke

This tip goes without saying – smoking is terrible for your overall health and can make a cough and sore throat worse. Plus, second-hand smoke can also irritate the symptoms.

Pro tip: Quitting smoking might not only help treat these current conditions but will improve overall body functions

Use Steam Therapy

Moist air from steam room or vaporizer helps to open up narrowed nasal passage ways relieving congestion while improving breathing pattern^. This direct humidity also soothes sore throats and balances upper respiratory linings moistness.

Follow this procedure:

Boil water until steam develops.
Pour hot water into a bowl.
Hover over the steam with a towel draped across your head, inhaling deeply
Repeat every few hours throughout the day.

Pro tip: Adding eucalyptus oil or menthol crystals to boiling water enhances therapeutic benefits by expanding constricted airways in your nose down through bronchioles

Take Over-the-counter Medications

Sometimes you need stronger medication than home remedies can provide for persistent symptoms like constant hacking coughs that affect quality of life — no matter how hard one tries avoiding kitchen ingredients/ natural supplements.^

When shopping for an OTC drug establish if you have any underlying ailments because some drugs are contraindicated cconditions lke asthma : overstimulation of central nervous system leadind to tachycardia; High blood pressure opening sinuses wider thereby increasing blood flow resistance leading to high BP peaking).^ Also abide by recommended doses instructions provided on package inserts.^

Looks for medications such as:

Dextromethorphan: suppresses cough reflex
Guinanisinensulphate breaks down mucus making it easier-tocough up
Acetaminophen which relieves pain and reduces fever^

Pro tip: Always consult a doctor before taking any medication

Conclusion

Dealing with a cough and sore throat isn’t fun, but hopefully these tips will help ease your symptoms. Remember to stay hydrated, use salt water gargles or lozenges as needed for mild irritation relief only.

Inhale humid steam which does wonders in opening up airways while OTC drugs should be used under prescription by certified pharmacologists only. Good luck on the journey towards good health and recovery!

Resources

What treatments are effective for acute upper respiratory tract infection? Evidence-Based Practice, NCBI.
Over-the-counter product labels can lead to–and prevent–medical errors; Pharmacy Times