Wednesday, April 7, 2010 as of 11:14 AM ET
Experts' top treatments for sore-throat pain, from home remedies to drugstore buys.
1. Humidifier Try it when: Your throat feels dry.How it works: A humidifier keeps the air around you moist. That’s important, since “indoor heat and arid air may dry out the mucous membranes,” says Michael Finkelstein, a holistic physician in Westchester County, N.Y.Good to know: Keep the humidifier’s water tank and filter clean to prevent the growth of mold, which can worsen symptoms and, in some cases, lead to lung issues.2. Garlic Try it when: You begin to notice a tickle.How it works: This pungent bulb is thought to have “tremendous immune-stimulating effects” as well as antimicrobial (read: virus-fighting) and antibacterial qualities, says Finkelstein. So it may help the body to heal the infections that cause a sore throat while fighting the germs that cause the pain and the irritation. The compound that may be responsible for this is allicin, which is released when raw garlic is cut, crushed, or ch...‘Tis the season for spreading germs, which means your little one could be coming home from school at any moment with a hacking cough and a runny nose. So what should...
The panic of the H1N1 pandemic just two years ago changed the way Americans feel about the flu shot.Once regarded as an annoyance, something that had to be put on on...
Antibiotics could become so ineffective that common injuries such as a grazed knee or a sore throat could kill, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.At the...
It's getting to be that time of year again, when you wake up way too early, you have plenty of projects piling up at work, the driveway needs shoveling, and you try ...
Instead of going to the drugstore when you are coming down with a cold or the flu – why not try your local natural food store?According to The Medicine Hunter, Chris...
A new review of past studies suggests that taking zinc may cut the time adults have to suffer with a common cold, but the alternative treatment will likely come with...
Some people seem to survive cold and flu season with nary a sniffle.And yet plenty others seem to catch cold after cold; sidelined with a perpetually stuffed-up nose...
A tickle in your throat. A cloudy head. An achy body. Yep, you?re coming down with something. Again.The average adult gets three colds per year, each lasting an aver...
A little more than a year ago, my eye doctor prescribed new disposable contact lenses. My insurance, he explained, would pay for only one six-month supply per year."...
In mild cases of H1N1 influenza , a traditional Chinese herb mixture may relieve a fever about as well as the antiviral drug Tamiflu, researchers reported Monday.The...
A new study has revealed that people who are stressed are much more likely to catch the common cold, Time Magazine reported.The stress hormone cortisol – which is re...
It is flu season in the US, which means coughing, a runny nose, fever—and maybe a trip to the veterinarian.Dogs get the flu, too. And the holidays are prime time, si...
Strep throat, also known as streptococcal pharyngitis, is the most common bacterial throat infection, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Because m...
First and foremost, do yourself no harm with the cold and flu treatments you choose. Check these dos and don'ts.Dos * Do buy your own nasal spray. If you use someone...
Why we get sick and how to stay healthy during cold and flu season.Here are some commonly asked questions and answers.Q. Can flying on an airplane make you sick?A. "...
It's that time of year againThat's right...the cold and flu season is upon us.As the weather gets colder, we spend more time indoors where the viruses we want to avo...
For years, researchers have wondered about a connection between children getting strep throat and later showing symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Obses...
Once the weather turns colder, it feels like everyone is sneezing, sniffling, coughing, shivering, and potentially getting you sick. While it might seem inevitable t...
Did you know that your mouth contains one of your body's best defense systems against the cold and flu? Protecting and enhancing your oral health can go a long way t...
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