Chronic Sore Throat

Sore throat, or pharyngitis, is the inflammation of the throat caused due to viral or bacterial infections. It is a painful condition which can be caused due to several reasons. In common cases, the infection can heal in a couple of days. However, some people suffer from recurring bouts of throat infection and pain; also known as chronic sore throat. Let us know more on it.

Causes
Chronic viral and bacterial infections are the most common causes of throat pain. As throat infection is a symptom of viral infectious diseases like common cold and flu, people contracting such diseases frequently, have higher chances of suffering from persistent sore throat. Secondly, low immunity is also an important underlying cause, as people with low immunity are susceptible to infections and allergies. Similarly, acid reflux disease, smoking, smoke and food allergies; and in minor cases, over use of vocal cords (loud talking and singing constantly), breathing through mouth, etc., can also be the potential reasons for frequent sore throat.

Symptoms
Soreness in the throat that never heals, is the most prominent symptom, which is accompanied by runny nose and cough. Swelling in the neck which causes difficulty in swallowing and sometimes, even while speaking is also seen. One may also experience stomach ache, headache and low-grade fever (in rare cases). Mood swings, behavioral changes and short-term memory loss are also some of the other symptoms. If sore throat is caused due to acid reflux disease, symptoms like nausea, heartburn and loss of appetite are observed.

Treatment
Symptoms of common cold subside in 1-2 days. However, special treatment is required in order to treat chronic cases of sore throat. Before commencing the treatment, it is essential to pinpoint the exact cause of it. If it is caused due to any allergy, one should try to avoid contact or exposure to the allergens. Secondly, acid reflux disease can be treated with the help of antacids and other home remedies. If sore throat occurs as a side effect of any drug or medication, you should consult the doctor. On the other hand, you can take painkillers in order to get relief from the pain in the throat. You can even use throat sprays or cough lozenges to ease the pain and irritation.

Remedies

• Drinking hot tea with ginger 1-2 times during the day is an effective remedy.
• Mix ½ teaspoon in a glass of hot milk and drink it at night to cure sore throat and also prevent it from recurring.
• Add ginger, honey and lemon in a glass of lukewarm water and have it once a day to ease the pain.
• Having a bowl of chicken soup regularly is also the most effective home remedy.
• Lastly, gargling with salt water 2-3 times everyday can also give relief from throat pain.

Persistent bouts of sore throat and pain can be prevented by boosting immunity. One should remember that having a nutritious diet, regular exercise and stress-free life helps in prevention of nearly all infectious diseases. Lastly, note that this write-up is meant for informational purposes, and should not be substituted for proper consultation from a certified medical practitioner. Take care!