Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

A sore throat is an indication of an alarming health condition. Myth or fact?

A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat. It starts as a persistent tickle in the back of your throat that soon progresses into a prickly sensation every time you swallow.

There are different conditions that can cause a sore throat and they may include having the following symptoms¹:

Colds or flu: blocked or runny nose, cough, fever or headaches
Laryngitis: hoarse voice and dry cough

Tonsillitis: discomfort when swallowing and a fever

Strep throat: swollen glands in your neck, discomfort when swallowing
Glandular fever: feeling very tired with a fever and swollen glands in your neck

You may also have a sore throat due to allergies, pollutants and dryness¹.

Easing the pain of a sore throat is all you can do beyond treatment. Drink lots of liquids, gargle with warm saltwater and suck on lozenges or pastilles to keep your throat from getting dry.

In most cases, your sore throat will improve with some home remedies. However, it’s time to see your doctor if you’re having a severe sore throat, fever and difficulty sleeping because your throat is blocked by swollen tonsils or when a red rash appears².

Honey helps to soothe a sore throat. Myth or fact?

Honey is one of the most common home remedies for a sore throat due to its natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

If you’re suffering from a bad cough in addition to a sore throat, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the use of honey to ease the cough for adults and children at least 1 year of age ¹.

Besides honey, there are a few other measures that are recommended to help soothe a sore throat ²:

Gargle with saltwater: Saltwater may not provide you with immediate relief but it helps to reduce throat swelling and pain.
Drink warm beverages and plenty of fluids: Sip fluids regularly throughout the day to keep the throat moist.

Use a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporiser: A humidifier will keep the air moist and open your sinuses.

Suck on ice chips, popsicles: To get your saliva flowing and keep your throat hydrated.

Some lozenges or pastilles may have anti-inflammatory or antibacterial effects. Look for one with herbal or non-drug formulation for effective and safe relief from throat pain or discomforts

Follow up with a doctor if symptoms do not improve within a few days, get worse, or if you or your loved ones have recurrent sore throats.

Your child should take antibiotics for a sore throat. Myth or fact?

Sore throat happens all the time in childhood. The most common reason for developing a sore throat would be a virus, and this is often accompanied by cold symptoms.

Antibiotics is not needed for a sore throat caused by a virus as it usually goes away after few days.

However, a severe sore throat may be an indication of a possible strep throat, a bacterial infection. Along with a sore throat, children may have a fever, headache, stomachache and pink rashes. A swab test should be done to confirm if it’s strep throat before starting the antibiotics.

Treatment for a sore throat depends on the cause. You may use home remedies to help your child soothe the sore throat.

Drink lots of liquids, gargle with warm saltwater and suck on pastilles to keep your child’s throat from getting dry.

Meanwhile, monitor your child’s symptoms and seek treatment if the symptoms persist.

Reference

Sore throat. NHS inform. Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/sore-throat [Accessed on 18^th May 2020]
Sore throat. American Osteopathic Association. Available from: https://osteopathic.org/what-is-osteopathic-medicine/sore-throat/ [Accessed on 18^th May 2020]
Sore throat. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/sore-throat.html [Accessed on 18^th May 2020]
Sore throat. NHS inform. Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/sore-throat [Accessed on 18^th May 2020]
Sore throat. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/sore-throat.html [Accessed on 18^th May 2020]
When to worry about your child’s sore throat. Harvard Health Publishing. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/worry-childs-sore-throat-2018011613119 [Accessed on 19^th May 2020]

Persistent Cough and Phlegm

What is persistent cough and phlegm?

A chronic cough is defined as a cough that persists for more than 3 to 8 weeks, sometimes lasting for months or even years, affecting one’s sleep quality and day-to-day living. Persistent cough is not a disease in itself, but rather a symptom of an underlying condition.¹

Incidences of persistent cough and phlegm

Coughing is the fifth most common reason people visit their doctor.² 43.9% – 51.5% of these people are smoking adults aged over 40 years³ whereas 14%-23% are non-smoking adults.²

What are the possible causes?

Respiratory tract infection⁴

Coughing is one of the most common symptoms of colds and flu and other respiratory tract infections. The other symptoms that accompany colds and flu, such as stuffy nose and a fever are tell-tale signs that a bacterial or viral infection is causing your cough.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)⁴

COPD can cause a nagging cough, a lung condition that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It occurs when the airways and air sacs in the lungs become inflamed or damaged, most often due to smoking and is more common after age 45.

Allergic reaction⁴

Various pollutants and irritants in the air can cause a persistent cough. Even short-term exposure to fumes (such as diesel exhaust) can result in cough, phlegm and lung irritation. Fumes can also exacerbate the symptoms of allergies. Similarly, mold spores found in and around homes can cause wheezing and coughing when inhaled.

What to do to improve condition?

Immediately stop smoking cigarettes, herbal tobacco.

It takes about seven years for your lungs to completely recover from the damage of long-term smoking.

Walk for 30 minutes at least 3 days a week.

Slow down or take a break if you feel out of breath.

Add time, intensity or additional workouts to your regime.

You may decide to jog instead of walk. Exercise improves lung functions and helps you increase your lung capacity.

Reduce your intake of dairy.

Dairy causes your body to produce extra mucus, clogging the respiratory system. Sugar, caffeine, beer, wheat and fried foods produce excess mucus in many patients. Reduce your intake of these foods for added benefit.

Drink mint tea or whiff peppermint oil.

The menthol in mint helps relieve congestion so you can breathe properly. Congestion may cause you to take improper, shallow breaths. If you relieve congestion, you can practice deep breathing with more ease.

Reference

http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/chronic-persistent-cough-in-adults
Marcia Jacomelli et al. Chronic cough in non-smokers: diagnostic approach. J. Pheomologia vol. 29 no.6 Sao Paulo Nov/Dec 2003.
Hyeon-kyoung Koo et al. Prevalence of chronic cough and possible causes in the general population based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016 Sep;95(37): e45954.
http://www.health.com/health/condition-article
http://www.ehow/com/how-strengthen-weak-lungs