30701 Woodward Ave, Suite 200
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Royal Oak, MI 48073
What’s the first thing you think of when I say ‘sore throat?’
For some people, a sore throat is nothing more than an excuse to call off work and lounge in bed all day. A little Tylenol, plenty of liquids and some much-needed rest will have them back to normal in no time.
But for others, a sore throat is a much less pleasurable experience.
And the day off isn’t much of a day off at all — it’s the exact opposite.
Speaking becomes impossible. Swallowing becomes painful. Even breathing isn’t as easy as it once was — and that’s not even mentioning the harrowing cough and throbbing headache that often comes with it.
It might last a few days for some, but a few weeks — even months — for others.
As residents of the Detroit, Michigan community, we’re very aware of how prone we all are to the dreaded sore throat — especially during the winter months. But don’t worry… The Rontal Clinic is here to help!
Not all sore throats are created equal — and they aren’t all treated the same, either.
For example, a viral sore throat is one caused by the common cold or seasonal flu and can generally be treated at home, while a bacterial sore throat, such as strep throat, will often require medical assistance.
With that said, both viral and bacterial sore throats are contagious and spread easily.
That’s why, unless it’s an emergency, we recommend starting your treatment at home.
The good news is there are a variety of effective at-home, DIY treatments for sore throats — most of which can be managed with items you already have in your house. Here are five of the most prominent!
Over-the-counter medication, also known as OTC medication, is often the first line of defense when treating a sore throat, but the exact type of medication needed will depend on symptoms and severity.
Here are some of the most common OTC medications available for sore throats:
The above OTC medications can be found at your local department or grocery store — if not already in your medicine cabinet, of course. If not, then we recommend stocking up for the future, just in case!
Both dehydration and throat dryness can make a sore throat — and its symptoms — worse.
According to the National Academy of Medicine, a healthy male should drink around 13 cups of water per day — with one cup equaling eight ounces — while a healthy female should be drinking nine cups daily.
This is true whether you’re sick or not, but having a sore throat certainly heightens the need.
In fact, drinking plenty of fluids (specifically water) does several things for your throat — like keeping you hydrated, thinning mucus, soothing irritation, supporting immune function and keeping the throat moist.
As a general rule of thumb, make sure you have a glass of water nearby when nursing a sore throat!
If you need some variety in your life, replace a glass of water with a cup of warm tea and honey.
Some herbal teas, like chamomile or ginger, have natural anti-inflammatory properties that can ease throat discomfort, while the warmth of the tea itself is known to reduce swelling and promote healing.
But it’s that spoonful of honey that takes this cup of tea to a whole new level.
For starters, honey forms a protective layer over the throat, which can help reduce the scratching and irritation that causes discomfort. But it can also help calm a cough and even has antibacterial effects.
Plus, all you need to do is stir the honey in your favorite cup of tea — that’s it!
Many of you might think gargling salt water to treat a sore throat is just urban legend — but not so fast.
When you gargle with salt water — even if it’s just a few times per day — the saline solution that coats your mouth and throat can help loosen mucus, lessen inflammation and ease pain inside the throat.
It can also raise PH levels in your mouth, making it harder for viruses and bacteria to survive.
For the best results, dissolve one teaspoon of regular table salt in eight ounces (240 ml) of warm water. Gargle the solution in your mouth for a few seconds, spit it out, then repeat several times during the day.
This method can also work for cold and flu symptoms, allergies, sinus infections and mouth ulcers.
Looking to add a spa-like element to your at-home recovery? Then, let’s get steamy!
Believe it or not, steam inhalation is a great way to add moisture to the airways and open the nasal passages — ultimately helping you soothe a dry and irritated throat, while also relieving post nasal drip.
It’s particularly effective when sore throats are accompanied by a hoarse voice or persistent cough.
To produce steam, simply boil a pot of water and pour it into a bowl. Then, place a towel over your head to trap the steam and lean over the bowl. Take deep breaths and continue until the steam fades away.
You can also add soothing ingredients to the water, such as eucalyptus oil, chamomile or peppermint.
All sore throats will require at-home treatment, but it can only do so much for you.
While most people will see their sore throat fade away after a few days, not everyone is that lucky. In fact, some people could be stuck with their symptoms for weeks — and even months, in some rare cases.
As a general rule of thumb, contact a Detroit ENT doctor if symptoms persist beyond one week.
If the sore throat is bacterial, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics, such as penicillin, to provide relief from symptoms, prevent the spread of infection and avoid any complications that could occur if it continues.
When combined with the at-home treatments above, your doctor’s guidance will work wonders!
Are you dealing with a sore throat or, even worse, strep throat? Has it persisted for longer than a week? Is your sore throat making it difficult to speak, eat, swallow or breathe? Do you have a bacterial infection?
If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions, then don’t worry — you’ve come to the right place!
Welcome to The Rontal Clinic — a friendly ENT clinic proudly serving the Detroit, Michigan area.
We understand how debilitating a sore throat can be. While they often go away on their own, some cases can linger — and when they do, it doesn’t take much for it to completely change the course of your week.
But that’s okay. We’re here to help! Contact us today at (248) 737-4030 to discuss your treatment options!