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Home remedies to cure a sore throat

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A sore throat (pharyngitis) is an inflammation of the pharynx or throat, the area between the tonsils and the larynx (voice box). 

To relieve the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, try these home remedies.

Rest up!
Get lots of rest. Stay home from work or school, and make sure you get enough sleep. Adequate rest is important to give your body a chance to heal, especially if you have other symptoms like fever.

Drink lots of fluids
Water is the best option when your throat is sore. Drink it cold or warm with a slice of lemon to ease irritation. It also helps thin the mucous and makes it easier to clear.

Gargle
Gargle gently with warm salt water to wash away mucous and irritants.

Don’t smoke
Avoid smoking when your throat is sore. The hot smoke and chemicals will irritate your throat.

Eat soft foods
Squishy foods will give your throat a break for a couple of days. Now’s the time to enjoy ice cream and custard!

Use a humidifier
If mouth breathing or dry air contributes to your sore throat, try a humidifier at home.

Spray it away
If your nose is blocked, use a nasal spray to prevent mouth breathing. Caution: using these products for more than a couple of days may result in dependency. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, check with a doctor before using any decongestant products.

Steam clean
Cover your head with a towel and inhale through your nose and mouth.  Try this twice or three times a day for about five minutes.


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