Dear Dr. Fritz,
Good day to you and the rest of the staff of Sun.Star. I just wanted to know some home remedies for sore throat. I’ve been suffering occasional sore throat problems. I usually don’t like to take medicines because I have a very sensitive stomach. I can feel my hyperacidity right away after taking pain relievers. So, I hope you can help me with some home remedies which may help me with my sore throat issues.
Thank you and more power!
Gina M. of Matina
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Dear Gina M. of Matina,
Yes, there are home remedies for sore throat problems. Let me count the ways below:
1. Saltwater gargle
Use one teaspoon of salt in a glass of water and gargle it. I prefer that you use cold water instead of warm water because it helps better with a sore throat. Be sure not to swallow the solution. Don’t also use so much salt because this could dry the throat more.
Gargling will not only help with sore throat problem. It could also help loosen the phlegm and ease throat irritation because of postnasal drip. As a matter of fact, a 2005 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine showed that gargling with saltwater may even help prevent upper respiratory tract infections.
2. Drink warm liquids
Warm liquid-like caffeine-free tea, water with honey, or warm soup broth can be comforting for sore throat. But, just be sure that they are just warm – not hot – or else, you will make the problem worse.
3. Pain medicines that you can buy without doctor’s prescription
There are a lot of pain relievers which you can buy over the counter – like ibuprofen, naproxen, mefenamic acid to help you with your sore throat. Yes, these pain relievers can irritate your stomach, especially, if you have stomach ulcers to start with. In your case, since you are quite sensitive to pain relievers, then you might be better off with paracetamol and acetaminophen. However, paracetamol and acetaminophen can only help in mild pains. But, they are quite effective for sore throat. The problem is if you have stronger pains, then, you would need a stronger pain reliever which would have a concomittant side effect with your stomach.
Well, as much as there are more issues to talk to, then, let me continue this in my next issue. Until then!
Dr. Fritz
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(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She is also in the broadcast media (DXAB 1296) for more than a decade now. She has written a book based on her more than a decade stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.” For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o Sunstar-Davao Publishing Inc., Ebro-Pelayo Building, Jacinto St., Davao City, (former Department of Foreign Affairs office), across Ateneo de Davao University and beside Holy Child School of Davao, or you e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)