mitrobeHOW TO HEAL SORE THROAT DURING PREGNANCY – ZIGIHOW.COM.NG
Pregnancy comes with it’s own negative side effects, that may keep an individual uncomfortable and unrelaxed.
Some pregnancy women experience some side effects such as Swollen feet, Sore throat, fatigue, Body aches, etc.
But today we’ll be talking about “How to combat sore throat using some home remedies during pregnancy”
What are the causes of Sore Throat during Pregnancy?
A sore throat is an inflammation of the throat that is mostly caused by viral infections (cold and flu) and sometimes bacterial infections. Risk factors include acid reflux, allergies (dust and pollen), muscle strain in the throat, exposure to chemicals or pollutants, and sinusitis.
What are the Symptoms of Sore Throat during Pregnancy?
Signs and symptoms include one or more of the following: redness, scratchiness, and pain the throat, swollen tonsils, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and ear ache.
During pregnancy, changes in estrogen and progesterone levels can also result in a sore throat along with other effects, such as nausea and headache. A sore throat during pregnancy usually diminishes on its own within seven days; hence, it is not a cause of concern and can only be a minor irritant.
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HOW TO CONTROL SWOLLEN FEET DURING PREGNANCY
However, it is important not to confuse sore throat with strep throat, which is a severe form of sore throat caused by group A streptococcal bacteria. Strep throat is highly contagious and may require a doctor’s visit.
A sore throat, on the other hand, can be managed with some personal care and home remedies that are safe and cause no harm to the baby.
HERE ARE SOME HOME REMEDIES TO HEAL SORE THROAT EFFECTIVELY DURING PREGNANCY, AND WONT CAUSE ANY HARM TO THE BABY.
HERE WE GO
1. Steam Inhalation
Steam inhalation moistens the mucous membrane and offers quick relief from sore throat. It also lets you breathe easily and helps you sleep comfortably, which is important for faster recovery.
PROCEDURE
Boil a large pot of water on the stove until it begins to produce steam.
Pour the hot water into a bowl.
Add a few drops of essential oil of your choice (for example, peppermint oil) in the hot water.
Cover your head with a towel and lean over the bowl to inhale the steam.
Do this for 5–10 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.
Be careful when doing steam inhalation as the hot vapor can burn your skin and eyes. Lower your head slowly
2. Salt Water Gargle
Gargling with warm salt water is one of the safest home remedies that you can try for sore throat during pregnancy. It can help clear your throat of irritants and loosen the mucus and thus soothe your sore throat.
Also, salt relieves inflammation by drawing out the excess moisture from the swollen tissues. The antiseptic and antimicrobial properties of salt help clear any microbial infection by restricting bacterial growth.
A 2008 study published in BMC Health Services Research found that gargling three times a day with salt water is linked to a 40% decrease in upper respiratory tract infections.
PROCEDURE
Add ½ teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of lukewarm water.
Stir it well to dissolve the salt
Now pour the mixture in your mouth and gargle it up,
Don’t drink
Repeat this process twice or thrice a day.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar is another very effective remedy for sore throat during pregnancy.
Apple cider vinegar alkalizes the body, and most viruses cannot thrive in alkaline environments. It also contains good bacteria that help fight off infections. You can learn more on how to make a homemade Apple cider vinegar.
PROCEDURE
Mix 1-2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in 1 glass of warm water. Gargle with this solution for 30–60 seconds, 2 to 3 times a day.
To help fight the infection from within, mix 1 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in 1 glass of water. You can also add a little honey. Drink this solution twice a day.
4. Warm Turmeric Milk
Drinking warm turmeric milk can help bring down the swelling and inflammation of the membranes and hence is considered a good remedy for sore throat.
In addition, turmeric has analgesic properties that help reduce pain in the throat. It also has infection-fighting and immune-boosting effects.
PROCEDURE
Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and a pinch of ground black pepper in a glass of warm milk.
Sweeten with a little honey.
Drink this solution 2 times daily to speed up the healing process.
5. Adequate or Continues Fluid Intake
Increasing your fluid intake at the first sign of a sore throat is a must.
Fluids help thin and loosen the mucus, preventing it from clinging to the interior walls of your throat and causing irritation. Fluids also aid in flushing the toxins and hydrating the membranes, which are important for the healing process.
On the other hand, low fluid intake can cause dehydration.
When dehydrated, your body doesn’t produce enough saliva that normally moistens your throat.
Moreover, staying hydrated is a great way to reduce the risk of infection during pregnancy.
Drink lukewarm water at regular intervals. You must drink between 8 and 10 glasses of water daily.
You can also drink decaffeinated tea mixed with raw honey and lemon juice.
Fruit juices, vegetable soup, and clear broths also help in hydration.
You can also include fruits, vegetables, and other foods with high water content in your diet.
Avoid caffeinated sodas and coffee, which can cause your body to lose more water.
6.Avoiding Irritants
Avoiding irritants is a must as environmental and other irritants are main causes of sore throat.
The worst irritant that can aggravate the symptoms of sore throat is, of course, cigarette and other tobacco smoke.
Hence, avoid places where you get exposed to smoke.
At the same time, you also need to avoid dust and other pollutants in the air.
mitrobe
Mitrobe Staff