Sore throats are one of the more common ailments that people all around the world have suffered from. Statistics show that 13 million doctor visits each year are accounted for due to sore throats. A sore throat can usually, with the proper care and attention, go away on its own.
However, it can also unnecessarily prolong its stay and lead to other medical complications such as a fever or a cold. These ailments generally tend to go hand in hand. Multiple patients also lose their voice when they have a sore throat which gets in the way of their normal routine.
Sore throats are caused mostly by viral infections that spread from person to person through direct or indirect contact. Direct contact occurs when an infected patient infects another person by spreading the virus. The spread can occur when the infected coughs, sneezes, breathes heavily, or in some cases even sneezes near someone else.
Indirect contact happens when a healthy person interacts with an object which has been contaminated due to interaction with an infected person. For example, when someone shares a straw with someone who has a sore throat.
Sore throats can also be caused due to irritants or pollutants in the air or even because of cold weather. Therefore, for many people it may be challenging to stay away from being infected, however, the sore throat may not be that problematic for the individual, and with proper care, they can be taken care of almost immediately.
There are certain foods that one can stay away from to ensure that one’s sore throat does not worsen over time. Some foods also contain healing properties, which can prove to be very beneficial in the case of a sore throat. This blog will help you explore the foods you should and should not consume when you have a sore throat.
As a sore throat is essentially inflammation in the windpipe, one should eat foods that would help calm the inflammation down. One should also consume foods that are easy to swallow, do not require much effort in chewing, and won’t increase inflammation.
This does leave the patient with a variety of options for consuming foods, most of which are warm and easy on the throat. These include warm and soft oatmeal, warm pasta such as mac and cheese, desserts with gelatin in them such as jelly and custard, and especially plain or even flavored yogurt.
Other foods also include fruits and vegetables that can help boost the body’s immune system. Creamy foods such as mashed potatoes and milk can be calming for the throat and can be a source of comfort for it in discomforting times. It is also recommended that the patient consume soups and broths that are warm.
Foods that you should avoid are going to be polar opposites of the recommendations above. These foods are cold and have tangy flavors to them which will increase the inflammation and the discomfort in the throat.
Examples of foods like these include cold carbonated soft drinks, certain cold-pressed juices that are acidic, such as lemon and orange juices. Crackers, that might be hard to swallow, and in some cases even caffeinated drinks such as coffee and tea. Alcohol is also preferably avoided.
With proper care sore throats can be taken care of, however, if the issue is still persistent please visit a doctor soon.
Sirpa Talvikki Autio MD
