Sore Throat
Description
A sore throat, one of the most common physical complaints, is a painful throat irritation. It can range from mild itchiness and dryness to severe pain and difficulty in swallowing.
Commonly, pain is a symptom of a cold but may also indicate other infections, either localized or systemic. If left untreated, a sore throat can lead to complications, including rheumatic fever.
Sore throats accompanied by a fever should be brought to a doctor's attention. Treatments are primarily directed at the underlying cause and symptoms. These include nasal decongestants, cough suppressants, sucking on sour, hard candies to stimulate saliva production, and gargling with warm salt water every half hour.
Causes
Colds
Mouth breathing
Dry throat (also a symptom)
Secretions which drain into the throat
Irritating environmental substances or allergies to:
Smoke
Pollen
Pollution
Dust
Swallowing hot liquids or fluids
Irritating cough
Bacterial infections of the throat, middle ear, nose or sinuses
Viral infections
Strep throat
Influenza
Laryngitis
Pharyngitis
Signs & Symptoms
| Dry throat | Edema of the throat |
| Red throat | Pain when swallowing |
| Itchy throat |
If infection is the cause, the following symptoms may also be present:
| Fever | Anorexia |
| Aches | Redness of the mouth |
| Fatigue | Enlarged and reddened tonsils |
| Headache | Malaise |
Yellow and white spots on the throat and mouth
Nutritional Supplements
Structure & Function:
Multi Vitamin/Multi Mineral Formulas &
Immune System Support
---------------------------------
General Supplements
---------------------------------
| Adult | Child/Adolescent | ||
| Bee Propolis* | |||
| Beta-carotene | 10 - 20 mg | 5 - 10 mg | |
| Garlic* | |||
| Magnesium | 200 - 600 mg | 100 - 300 mg | |
| Niacin | 25 - 100 mg | 10 - 30 mg | |
| Vitamin C | 1,000 - 3,000 mg | 1,000 - 3,000 mg | |
| Zinc Lozenges | 10 - 40 mg | 10 - 30 mg |
* Please refer to the respective topic for specific nutrient amounts.
Note 1: Bee Propolis may be conveniently taken in the form of: Lozenges.
Chewable Vitamin C may be included, sometimes together with zinc in the same lozenge possibly with herbs as well e.g. Echinacea.
Note 2: A natural food source is garlic, which may be especially useful if accompanying chicken soup or broth! It is also available as a food supplement.
Note 3: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.
Dietary Considerations
A sore throat can cause pain on swallowing which may make difficult the ingestion of sufficient calories and nutrients. A Full Liquid Diet or a Mechanical Soft Diet will minimize the chewing and irritation associated with eating, while providing healthful nourishment.
Throat lozenges can be taken for the relief of sore throat irritation.
Herbal Approaches
----------
Herbs
-----------
Echinacea
Fenugreek
Garlic plant
Ginseng
Goldenseal
Horseradish
Mullein
Slippery Elm
Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.
Discussion:
Echinacea and Goldenseal have almost become standard defenses against bacterial and viral infections. To spare resources, diversify to other berberine sources e.g. Oregon Grape.
A Fenugreek gargle is reputed to relive sore throat and reduce the pain of swollen glands.
Horseradish and similar "hot" foods can relieve irritation.
A Mullein poultice is reputed to soothe sore throats.
Slippery Elm (or Marshmallow root) soothes a scratchy, itchy throat.
References:
Hoffmann, D: The New Holistic Herbal. Element, 1983. Third edition 1990.
Homeopathic Remedy
1.* Aconitum Napellus tinct. - 30C
2.* Ferrum phosphoricum - 30C
3.* Spongia tosta - 30C
4. Arum triphyllum - 30C
Advanced by symptom:
1. Red throat, dry and burning - Belladonna tinct. or Dulcamara.
2. Coated tongue, halitosis, excessive salivation, sweating, hot and cold - Mercurius Vivus.
3. Scratchy throat (fishbone stuck in throat feeling) - Hepar sulphuris calcareum.
4. Slight soreness - Baryta muriatica.
5. Acute, painful - Aconitum Napellus tinct..
6. Pain up to the ears - Gelsemium sempervirens.
7. Swollen, red, allergic reaction - Apis Mellifica.
Treatment Schedule
Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.
Legend
X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency
Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.
References
Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.
Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.
Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.
Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.
Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.
Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.
Tissue Salts
Ferr. Phos.
4 tablets every half an hour.
Symptoms:
| Aching glands | Calc. Phos. |
| Burning sensation in pharynx, chronic catarrh | Calc. Phos. |
| Choking when swallowing | Mag. Phos. |
| Constricted feeling in throat | Mag. Phos. |
| Closing of larynx by spasms | Mag. Phos. |
| Dry, red, inflamed throat | Ferr. Phos. |
| First stage: pain, heat, redness | Ferr. Phos. |
| Inflamed mucus lining of throat | Nat. Mur. |
| Inflamed tonsils | Ferr. Phos. |
| Inflamed tonsils with white-grey patches | Kali Mur. |
| Larynx: burning, sore | Calc. Phos. / Ferr. Phos. |
| Larynx, closing by spasming | Mag. Phos. |
| Loss of voice | Kali Mur. |
| Loss of voice from strain | Ferr. Phos. |
| Lump in throat from swallowing | Nat. Sulf. |
| Pain while swallowing | Ferr. Phos. |
| Pharynx, burning, sore | Calc. Phos. |
| Plug in throat | Nat. Mur. |
| Raw feeling in throat | Nat. Phos. |
| Redness and inflammation | Ferr. Phos. |
| Relaxed throat | Calc. Fluor. |
| Scraping feeling, when talking | Calc. Phos. |
| Sticking pain on swallowing | Calc. Phos. |
| Shrill voice, while speaking | Mag. Phos. / Kali Phos. |
| Sore, raw feeling, creamy coating | Nat. Phos. |
| Sore, singer / speaker | Ferr. Phos. |
| Sore, excessively dry or wet | Nat. Mur. |
| Spasm in throat | Mag. Phos. |
| Spasmodic cough | Mag. Phos. |
| Stinging sore throat when swallowing, tender neck | Silicea |
| Suppuration of throat | Calc. Sulf. |
| Swallowing pains | Ferr. Phos. |
| Thirst with dry mouth | Calc. Phos. |
| Tonsillitis after pus has formed | Calc. Phos. |
| Ulcerations, thick yellow discharges | Silicea |
| Ulcerated throat, fever and pain | Ferr. Phos. |
| Ulcerated, white-grey patches | Kali Mur. |
| Windpipe, spasmodic closure | Mag. Phos. |
Aromatherapy - Essential Oils
| Benzoin Essence, | Cajeput Essence, |
| Clary Sage Essence, | Ginger Essence, |
| Hyssop Essence, | Lavender Essence, |
| Lemon Essence, | Myrrh Essence, |
| Pepper Essence, | Sage Essence, |
| Sandalwood Essence, | Tea Tree Essence. |
Related Health Conditions
| Ache | Influenza |
| Allergy | Laryngitis |
| Cough | Pain |
| Edema | Pharyngitis |
| Fatigue | Rheumatic fever |
| Fever | Strep throat |
| Infection |
References
Beeson, P.B. & Mc Dermott, W. eds. 1975. Textbook of Medicine. 14th ed. Saunders Pub. Co., Philadelphia. 1892 pp.
Biesel, W.R. Single Nutrient Effects on Immunological Functions. Journal of the American Medical Association, 245. 1981.
Bland, Jeffrey. Nutraerobics. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.
Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.
Chasroff, I.J. & J.W. Ellis. 1983. Family Medical Guide. William Morrow and Company Inc., Pub. 594 pp.
Chicago Dietetic Association and the South Suburban Dietetic Association of Cook and Will Counties. 1981. Manual of Clinical Dietetics. W.B. Saunders Co., Philadephia.
Dagnelie CF et al., Do patients with sore throat benefit from penicillin? A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial with penicillin V in general practice. Br J Gen Pract, 1996 Oct, 46:411, 589-93.
Dobbs F: A scoring system for predicting group A streptococcal throat infection. Br J Gen Pract, 1996 Aug, 46:409, 461-4.
Hamilton, H.K. ed. 1982. Professional Guide To Diseases Intermed Communications Inc. Pub, Springfield, Massachusetts. 1323 pp.
McIsaac WJ et al., Reconsidering sore throats. Part 2: Alternative approach and practical office tool. Can Fam Physician, 1997 Mar, 43:, 495-500.
Murray, M.T., & J.E. Pizzorno. 1991. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine. Rocklin, Ca; Prima Publishing.
Perkins A: An approach to diagnosing the acute sore throat. Am Fam Physician, 1997 Jan, 55:1, 131-8, 141-2.
Pichichero ME: Sore throat after sore throat after sore throat. Are you asking the critical questions? Postgrad Med, 1997 Jan, 101:1, 205-6, 209-12, 215-8, passim.
Ruppert SD: Differential diagnosis of common causes of pediatric pharyngitis. Nurse Pract, 1996 Apr, 21:4, 38-42, 44, 47-8.
Sakaguchi M et al., Acute pharyngitis, an unusual complication of intravenous hyperalimentation. J Laryngol Otol, 1994 Feb, 108:2, 159-60.
Subak-Sharpe, G.J. 1984. The Physician's Manual For Patients. Times Books Pub, New York. 607 pp.
Thomas, W.R. & P.G. Holt. Vitamin C and Immunity. Clinical And Experimental Immunology, 32, 1978.
Wyngaarden, J.B. & L.H. Smith. 1985. Cecil's Textbook of Medicine. Saunders Pub Co., Philadelphia. 2341 pp.
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