We spend a significant portion of November and December talking. While the holidays are a fun excuse to share stories and inside jokes, all that extra vocalizing can leave your throat feeling raw and your voice sounding hoarse. Let’s look at a few ways you can offer your sore throat the spa day it needs to relax after the holiday season.
Drink Warm Tea and Honey
Warm tea and honey are a time-honored remedy for soothing a sore throat. You can pick up a calming chamomile tea and local honey at your favorite Loveland grocery store and drink as many cups as you like.
Grab Some Cough Drops or Throat Spray
Cough drops coat the back of your throat to reduce inflammation. Throat spray works by temporarily numbing the irritation. While it doesn’t address the root cause, it can offer a little relief. Both options are available at most drugstores.
Run a Humidifier
Dry winter air can irritate your throat. Running a humidifier in your home during these chilly months will add a little moisture to the tissues in the throat. If you don’t have a larger humidifier, you can run a small, portable one from your bedside table at night.
Gargle Saltwater
Mix half a cup of warm water with a half teaspoon of table salt and gargle for 15 to 30 seconds, or as long as you can, before spitting the mixture into the sink.
Rest Your Voice
Now that the holidays are coming to a close, your voice is probably ready for a break. If possible, take a day to watch movies or read, allowing your voice time to rest.
Avoid Irritants
Try to stay away from strong irritants like smoke or cleaning supplies like bleach that can inflame the tissues in the throat.
Visit an ENT
If your sore throat persists for longer than a week or two, there may be an underlying condition, such as postnasal drip or chronic cough, that requires ENT intervention. Contact us at Alpine Ear Nose & Throat PC today to schedule your appointment with one of our trusted specialists.