Best Foods and Drinks When Dealing with a Sore Throat
'Tis the season for colds and sore throats. Dealing with a sore throat often makes it uncomfortable or downright impossible to eat and drink certain foods.
What are the best choices for nourishment and comfort when you are suffering with this ailment? Read on for what the experts recommend as well as signs that you should seek medical treatment.
Best Foods When You Have a Sore Throat
The general rule when eating with a sore throat is to choose food and drink that is easy to swallow. Soft textures will be less irritable on a sore throat. The goal is to stay nourished without delivering further irritation to your ailing throat.
Good warm foods to include in your diet while sick include mashed potatoes, oatmeal, cooked cereal, pasta, grits, broth or cream-based soups, cooked vegetables, and scrambled eggs.
Cool foods and drinks that will provide both comfort and nutritional value include yogurt with pureed fruit, smoothies, non-acidic juices such as apple or grape juice, and milk. Treats that may provide temporary relief include popsicles and gelatin desserts.
You may also find relief in gargling with warm and salty water. Warm tea with lemon is known to offer a soothing effect for an irritated throat.
Foods to Avoid When You Have a Sore Throat
There are also specific foods that should be avoided when battling a sore throat. These foods include crusty bread, spicy foods, crackers, raw vegetables, and any type of dry snack foods such as pretzels, popcorn, or potato chips.
Acid is also a known throat irritant, making it a good idea to avoid eating lemons, limes, grapefruit, oranges, and tomatoes.
While warm food delivers a soothing effect to a sore throat, foods and drinks that are too hot can have the opposite effect.
Alcohol and soda is also a bad idea if your throat is sore. Dairy products may coat the throat and make mucus resulting from a cold thicker and harder to swallow. As a result, you may tend to try to clear the throat more regularly, making your throat even more irritated.
Best Way to Treat a Sore Throat
The best way to find immediate relief for a sore throat is to gargle with salt water. Use about one tablespoon of salt per eight ounces of water. Stir the salt in the warm water, take a few sips, tilt the head back, and begin to gargle. Take care to not swallow the water. Simply spit it out and repeat the process a few times.
Some people find relief with herbal remedies. These include herbal teas, throat spray, or drops. However, it is important to use caution when using herbal products. Some of these products could trigger side effects with other medications. Herbal products should also be used in consultation with a doctor during pregnancy.
As with any illness, it is imperative to get plenty of rest. Staying hydrated is also a good strategy when sick.
Over-the-counter medications are another good option when treating a sore throat. Throat lozenges are a readily available and cost-effective option. You may also find relief in basic acetaminophen.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Most sore throats are a nuisance that will go away with time. However, a sore throat can also be an indication of something more serious afoot. If the issue persists for days, it is a good idea to seek medical treatment. Any sore throat that lasts more than a week may need further attention.
You should seek treatment immediately if you spike a high fever or if you notice swollen glands. Other potential warning signs include the development of a rash or unexplained pain.
A bacterial infection such as strep throat will respond the best to an antibiotic. However, sore throats that are a result of a viral infection such as the basic flu or a cold will not respond to antibiotics.
If you notice that your sore throat comes and goes, it could be triggered by seasonal allergies. Inhaling dry air or being exposed to cigarette smoke is another risk factor for sore throat development.
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