Upper respiratory tract infection remedies

CEBU, Philippines - You got cough, stuffy nose, sore throat and sneezing? These all come with the rain!

Cough is the most common symptom of an infection of the upper respiratory tract that includes the nose, sinuses and throat.

Common upper respiratory tract infections (RTI) include common cold, tonsillitis, sinusitis, and laryngitis. Here are a few home remedies suggested to make the patient a little more comfortable:

COMMON COLD. We know we can do very little to fight common cold. So follow the doctor when you’re advised to drink fluids, have some soup or tea. According to Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer at the American Lung Association, when you swallow a hot drink, some of the heat will transfer from the esophagus to the windpipe. That heat can help loosen up the mucus and make it easier to cough out. Getting hydrated also helps keep the mucus thinner and less sticky. Chicken soup is a proven ally in driving away a bad cold. Hot water with lemon also works wonders.

SINUSITIS. WebMD explains that the sinuses are small cavities in the skull that are normally filled with air. They produce mucus which helps keep the nasal passages clear of allergens and pollutants. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the tissues that line these cavities. In some cases, the swelling blocks off the sinuses, trapping mucus and air inside them. This can cause pain and pressure; sometimes, it can lead to bacterial infection. Patient is advised to drink plenty of fluids to help keep the mucus thin; apply moist heat (using a hot, damp towel or gel pack) to face for five-to-10 minutes several times a day; breathe warm, moist air from a steamy shower, or hot bath, or a sink filled with hot water. Avoid extremely cool, dry air. Consider using a humidifier to increase the moisture in the air at home. Use saltwater nasal washes (saline lavage or irrigation) to help keep the nasal passages open and wash out mucus and bacteria. Or gargle with warm saltwater. If one needs to blow his nose, let him do it gently. Forceful blowing may force thick mucus back into the sinuses and block them.

TONSILITIS. For swollen tonsils, it is best to take a trip to a doctor for antibiotics. However, you may do a few things at home to make the condition better. Askville.com suggests that a gargle with antiseptic mouthwash can help fight off the bacteria, especially if the tonsils have white spots on them. Use of some throat soothing drops can also help numb the tonsil area if one is experiencing pain, especially when swallowing. Trying to talk and swallow as little as possible is also a good idea. One can also try gargling with a mix of dark colored soda and powdered aspirin. Make sure the patient doesn’t swallow it, but just gargle with it.

LARYNGITIS. Inflammation occurs when too much strain is put on the vocal cords. Sometimes, the infection is triggered by a virus. Top 10 Home Remedies recommend that you use warm saltwater to help kill the bacteria and virus. Add half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and use it for gargling. Gargling should be done several times a day. Bear in mind that too much salt in water can aggravate irritation. The acidic nature of lemon juice can kill bacteria too. Take the juice of a fresh lemon and add a pinch of salt to it. Mix well and then add it to a cup of warm water. Use this solution to gargle several times a day. Patient may drink hot tea with lemon, or even lemon drops mixed to a glass of water to stimulate the production of saliva and help loosen mucus in the throat.

Or take a fresh garlic clove and cut it into two pieces. Let the patient suck the juice of the garlic, placed on each side of his mouth, slowly till he can tolerate the smell. Also, slice fresh ginger root and boil it in a pan of water for 10 minutes. Strain the liquid and allow it to come down to room temperature. Let the patient drink this water several times a day. He may also try sucking on candied ginger, or drink ginger tea sweetened with honey three to five times a day.