Oatmeal is one of the warm meals and beverages that might help relieve a sore throat. Selecting soft foods could help avoid more aggravation.
Drinking or eating can be difficult when you have a sore throat because of the burning and painful sensation it produces. When you have a sore throat, what foods and beverages are appropriate to consume?
Find out what foods and beverages are ideal for a sore throat and what you might want to stay away from by reading on.
What foods and beverages ought to be consumed?
It is generally okay to eat soft foods that are easy to swallow when you have a sore throat. The gentle texture will lessen the severity of your throat inflammation. Gargling with warm, salty water and consuming cold foods, hot soup, or tea with lemon might also help relieve your sore throat.
You might want to eat the following foods:
- Grits, cooked cereal, heated oatmeal, or cooked pasta, such as macaroni and cheese
- Desserts made with gelatin
- plain yogurt or fruit-puréed yogurt
- Fruit or vegetable smoothies made with cooked veggies
- Mashed potatoes
- Cream-based soups and broth
- milk.
- Apple or grape juice, as well as scrambled or hard-boiled eggs, are examples of nonacidic fluids.
Popsicles
You may maintain your nutrition without aggravating your already sore throat by consuming these foods and beverages.
Which meals and beverages should you stay away from?
You should stay away from foods that are hard to swallow or that could aggravate your throat more. These foods could consist of:
- crackers
- crusty bread with hot sauces and herbs
- sodas, extremely hot meals or drinks, alcohol, and dry snacks like popcorn, pretzels, or potato chips
- Raw, fresh vegetables and acidic fruits, including grapefruits, oranges, lemons, limes, tomatoes, and their juices
Some people may experience a coated throat and thicker, more difficult-to-swallow mucus after consuming dairy products. You might clean your throat more frequently as a result, which could make your painful throat worse.
How a sore throat is treated
Gargling with warm water and salt is the first and least expensive method of treating a sore throat. In 8 ounces of warm water, add approximately 1 tablespoon of salt. In the water, stir the salt around. After that, tip your head back, gargle, and drink a few sips. Be careful not to swallow. Instead, repeat after spitting it out.
Herbal therapies could be beneficial. Some alleviation may be obtained by herbal throat drops, sprays, or drinks containing honeysuckle flower or licorice root. However, before utilizing a herbal remedy, be sure to understand any possible
- adverse consequences, allergies
- interactions between other prescription drugs
- interactions with additional herbal supplements
Consult your physician if you are unsure about what you can safely take. This is particularly true if you are or may become pregnant. It is not safe to use certain herbal treatments while pregnant.
Over-the-counter throat lozenges and acetaminophen can provide temporary relief for sore throats. However, if long-lasting relief isn’t achieved, prescription medication may be necessary. Consult a doctor if severe sore throat, high fever, or swollen glands persist, or if these methods don’t work. Always read product directions before taking any medication.
When to visit your physician
Consult your physician if your sore throat doesn’t go away or if you have a high fever or swollen glands. Most sore throats are caused by viral infections like the flu or a cold, or bacterial illnesses like strep throat.
Your doctor might recommend an antibiotic if you have a bacterial illness. Antibiotics cannot be used to treat a sore throat caused by a viral disease.
Environmental factors such as dry air, cigarette smoke inhalation, and allergies can also cause sore throats. Sore throats are another symptom of snoring.
See your doctor if you have an excruciating sore throat and you’re beginning to feel worse, or if you have additional symptoms such as:
- Breathing or swallowing difficulties
- a fever
- a rash
- enlarged glands
- unexplained pain or joint problems
- If your sore throat persists for more than a week, you should also consult your physician. To rule out anything that needs more care,
- Your doctor can do testing.
Prospects
Although it will probably take a few days for your painful throat to go away, you can obtain relief right immediately by:
- Using salt water for gargling
- obtaining enough sleep
- taking acetaminophen as directed on the package
- getting plenty of rest
- drinking warm, herbal tea
- staying hydrated
Although they typically only last a few days, sore throats typically disappear within a week. Most of the time, a sore throat may be treated at home. Consult your physician if:
- You think you may be infected with bacteria.
- Your sore throat isn’t improving.
- The severity of your sore throat is increasing.
