Ragweed Season Again, Treat your Congestion, Headaches and Sore Throats without Going to the Doctor.

Having a sore throat any season can cause you to miss out on all kinds of fun and feel just plain lousy. There can be all kinds of reasons for a sore throat including bacterial . Most sore throats are caused by allergies and/or the common cold. If you are suffering from a cold antibiotics act like a placebo and can actually be harmful. Please see my hub on MRSA or Flesh Eating Bacteria.

An allergy sufferer may feel bad all year or just seasonally. Doctors can prescribe prescription products or over the counter allergy relief with antihistamines. Guaifenesin, a mucolytic can help cure stubborn congestion with little side effects. It is also good for bronchial conditions.It works as an expectorant.

More severe congestion may require phenylephrine which is over the counter. If you need something even stronger ask your pharmacist to let you sign for pseudoephedrine.It was once over the counter but now drug addicts are using it for illegal purposes to make ecstasy so you need to sign and show your drivers license before purchasing. You are only allowed a certain amount each month. This drug is very effective for congestion.It works by shrinking the blood vessels in the sinus and nasal cavities allowing you to breath easier. It can be very effective for stubborn sinus pressure. It can also cause rapid heart rate and you might want to talk to your doctor if you have a medical condition or are on other medicines like beta blockers. Caution should be used giving any drug to children under 12 without a doctors approval. There is much debate over the effectiveness of phenylephrine verses pseudo-ephedrine.

Steroid based nose sprays can cause the least general side effects but they do require several days to weeks to begin working and the patient must be consistent with their use for truly lasting results. Once it begins to work you can usually decrease the amount you use.

You may just need to stay indoors on especially windy and high allergy times of the year such as fall and spring. Often the local weather will alert you to particularly high pollen count days.

Indoor allergies may require protective allergy covers on mattress and pillows as well as frequent dusting and vacuuming. This is for people allergic to dust mites that actually live every where including our skin. If possible have the non-allergic family members do these chores!!!!

Vacuum cleaners and air vents with strong Hepa Filters can be very effective. Special Air Filters can be very effective.

Allergists sometimes tell their patients to remove all carpet, curtains, books and stuffed animals from their room These can increase the number of dust mites in your room

Many people are also allergic to molds spores. Their symptoms are often more severe in older homes and during wet humid months when mold is at it's peak .

Allergy shots may be the best defense against symptoms.

Non-allergy sore throats may be easier to treat and require gargling with warm salt water once or twice and hour. Use 1/2 tsp. to 1 tsp. in 1 cup warm water. Drinking lots of water, especially in the form of hot teas and broths.Fluid can bring tremendous help. Lemon and honey is another old remedy for a cough even honey and bourbon.

Another quick cure for sore throat pain is lemon water. Mix equal amounts lemon juice and water. Gargle with the solution several times a day. Warming the mixture may make it more soothing.

The decongestants and mucolytics are also good for a cold induced sore throat. Antihistamines for colds are controversial and probably of little help except the stronger sleep inducing ones, benadryl, doxylamine, etc.These will help you get more rest which strengthens your immune system or in laymen's terms help you fight an illness.The same ingredients are found in drugs such as NyQuil.. My husband swears by 2 NyQuil liguidgels at bedtime or an Aleve and pseudoephedrin in AM. to cure is colds!!!

Some people believe strongly in the germ killing qualities of Bragg's apple cider vinegar. Just mix with a little water and gargle at the first sign of a sore throat.

You may also need to put more humidity into your home during the long winter months. You can do this by purchasing a humidifier or just keeping some water in you crock pot in the kitchen. You can add cloves, orange peel and cinnamon sticks for a soothing scent . A steamy shower is very helpful for a quick pick me up. Water in bowls by your heating registers has also been known to increase indoor humidity. Do not run your bathroom fan when showering. Adding humidity also make you more comfortable with less heat in the air and will help you to save on your power bill!!!!

Throat lozenges can help. There is some controversy over the effectiveness of zinc although it is often recommended. Phenol-containing throat spray is a numbing agent and can help sore throats but can be difficult to tolerate with the numbing of the tongue also.

Sometimes mild pain killers , like ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen or aspirin may be needed. If you have stomach problems be sure to eat first and drink a full glass of water with your medication.

Getting outside and obtaining some sunlight induced vitamin D may help you feel better with a cold. Studies have found colds are NOT caused by being exposed to cold temperatures but rather viruses spread from hand to mouth or in the air through direct exposure to the virus after someone sneezes or coughs.

Rest can be very helpful especially if you have a cold.

If at anytime you begin to run a high fever (over 100 degrees) or your sore throat becomes severe or lasts for more that a few days and/or you develop a rash, you should seek your doctors advice to avoid the possibility of infection or flu complications. A sore throat can be as small as low humidity but could be the beginning of something more serious such as strep throat. A serious or lingering cough needs to be checked by a medical professional.

If your sinus headaches last with no relief after trying remedies mentioned you may be battling a sinus infection. This too is a signal to call your physician.

Another neat trick is to make up a solution of 1 quart warm water, 1 tsp baking soda and 3 heaping tsp kosher salt. Use in in one nostril with a nasal aspirator or medicine dropper and allow to run out the other nostril. A netti pot will work too. This is also safe on infants. It is very effectvie for sinus pressure. Dr. Oz has spoken often about this on his program. The idea is to clear congestion and even more significantly to clear your nasal passages of any allergens you may have taken into your nasal cavities during the day from doing normal outdoor activities.

Most of my family gets sneezing, runny noses and itchy eyes from allergen exposure but my daughter and I both get sinus pressure. We have a tendency to hold the congestion in our nasal passages (part of our normal genetic makeup) This often leads to so much pressure we begin to suffer from severe headaches especially over the eyes and sinuses.

Once the headache has become relentless we both have learned the signs of a sinus infection and need antibiotic treatment . I do well with the often used Z-pack.

Another MAJOR help for me is a nose spray called nasalcrom. I use it daily during allergy season and often this is all I need. Learn your body's signals and you will be on your way to finding relief from your sore throat and cold symptoms too.

Some doctors believe using honey from your area of allergy can help to build your immunity against your potential allergens. You can probably find the honey at roadside stores and your local farmers market.

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