Sore Throats and Seasonal Colds

Ouch, it is that time of the year - fresh holiday turkey, after Thanksgiving Day sales, Christmas tree decorating, and that annoying seasonal cold and one of it's most annoying symptom - the sore throat.

It starts with that nagging feeling of post nasal drip or maybe it is just a little itch or dry scratchy feeling when you swallow. Then all of sudden you can confirm - yes, my throat hurts. So now what?

I especially like using warm liquids on a sore throat. Warm salt water rinses can help ease of some of the pain and salt is known to help speed along the healing process of many illnesses.

Hot green tea with a squeeze of lemon or a teaspoon of honey can coat a painful scratchy throat, too. Drinking lots of liquids - the more pure water the better - and controlling any looming fever are important. I like to have a box of tissues around, too just in case that sore throat becomes accompanied by the sniffles and sneezes.

I was always raised to treat that sore throat with a good dose of vitamin C which can be achieved by drinking orange juice, taking a vitamin C pill, or loading up on some good citrus fruits like your fresh oranges, strawberries, or kiwi. Vitamin C cough drops are also available over the counter now in case a cough develops.

We must also not forget good old chicken soup. Hot soup really soothes that painful throat and doesn't taste half bad. They even make it with extra noodles now.

Lastly, if we must be sick, we may as well stay home, bundle up with a blanket and some good movies or television programs. Then we can rinse with our salt water, sip hot tea, drink orange juice, eat some good fruit, and eat some chicken soup. I like to crank up the heater and make sure to cover my feet with warm cozy socks to lock in the heat. Shoot, eat some frozen ice cream or yogurt, too to feel some more relief.

Last but not least, and perhaps even most importantly, we should not forget to rest. One good thing about having this nasty sore throat is that it is a good excuse to be lazy and relax around in pajamas with bad hair. Getting enough shut eye will help getting the body feeling better in less time.