why do gargling cure sore throat?
550130
warm saltwater helps to dry up an infection so it is easier to get rid of
775091
Most sore throats clear up on their own within three to 10 days. The majority of sore throats in adults are caused by viruses that the body fights off on its own. This means that a visit to the doctor is not usually necessary.\n\nI.A sore throat from a viral infection tends to develop gradually and to be relatively mild, usually clearing up in a day or two. \n\nII.On the other hand, bacterial infections such as strep throat often produce severe pain in a matter of hours and will need to be treated with prescription drugs. \n\nThe following vitamins, minerals, and herbs can be very useful for treating a sore throat. They can be taken with over-the-counter or prescription drugs for colds, allergies, and strep throat. \n\n1. Vitamin C with bioflavonoids - 3x/day\n\n2.Vitamin A promotes healing of the mucous membranes, such as those in the throat. \n\n3.Zinc lozenges, taken at the first sign of a cold-related sore throat, may help shorten its duration. \n\n4.Herbal teas brewed from "slippery elm" or "marshmallow root" will help ease an irritated throat. Both are effective at coating and soothing mucous membranes that have become inflamed. \n\n5.To boost your immunity, add a few drops of goldenseal tincture to your herbal tea. Goldenseal has long been valued for its ability to soothe inflamed or infected mucous membranes, and it is especially effective against bacterial infections. Gargling with a goldenseal tincture diluted in some warm water can also relieve sore throat pain. \n\nSelf-Care Remedies- \nGargle several times a day with a mixture of half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water. \n\n Use a cool-mist humidifier to keep your nose and throat lubricated. Be sure to keep the unit clean, however, or you'll add harmful bacteria to the air you breathe. There are antibacterial solutions you can add to thwart bacterial growth. \n\nAvoid smoke. Lay off cigarettes for a while if you smoke. If you don't smoke, still try to avoid second-hand smoke. \n\nDrink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of liquids daily--especially warm ones, such as soup and herbal teas. Try to avoid caffeinated beverages (coffee, black tea, colas and other soft drinks) because these will dehydrate you. \n\nSuck on hard candy periodically. This will stimulate the saliva glands, keeping your throat moist.
962183
This is one home remedy\nPenny's Cayenne Pepper Remedy: Penny from Fresno, CA writes, "If it is too late, as in strep, it takes gargling with cayenne in water every fifteen minutes until it goes, and be patient, because it GOES. I haven't had a sore throat take hold in 15 years or more, though many have tried to start up, which also is a way for many illnesses to sprout. I generally will gargle cayenne in water at whatever strength I like and do it as much as I can until I tire of it, and then repeat every fifteen minutes, each time swallowing a tiny bit real slowly (not necessary). It only stings the tongue a little when spitting out, otherwise, no discomfort, you can get used to even the swallowing part when you see how well it works. I use the cheap Mex. stuff, but also keep on hand in refir the pesticide free stuff from health store. Cayenne is a miracle cure for ulcers and so many other conditions, plus aids assimilation of nutrients and vitamins. I will keep cayenne in water in the bathroom in case I get up in the night, so I can gargle once in the night if I am very sick, but if it is in water, it will go bad quickly and needs to be put back in refridge in morning. Afterwards suck on a clove (see below). I have never seen a sore throat that won't succumb to it."
711415
Gargling with salt water to help dispel any bacteria that could be the cause of it-and honey is an excellent sore throat soother.  It is also a natural antiseptic.  You can either take the honey straight, or mix it in some lukewarm water with a little cayenne pepper-the capsacin in peppers help block the "pain" signals in cells.
546317
Drinking/gargling vinegar does...\nI don't think alcohol has an effect on sore throats.
614212
A mild sore throat associated with cold or flu symptoms can be made more comfortable with the following remedies: \n\nIncrease your liquid intake. \n\nWarm tea with honey is a favorite home remedy. \n\nUse a steamer or humidifier in your bedroom. \n\nGargle with warm salt water several times daily: ¼ tsp. salt to ½ cup water. \n\nTake over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol Sore Throat®, Tempra®) or ibuprofen (Motrin IB®, Advil®).\n\nI hope that helps.
607332
Stir 1/2 teaspoon salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water for use as a gargle for sore throats. gargle several times a day. also cold things like Popsicles can help and a numbing spray like chloriseptic. If you have fever you may need medical attention. If you have itchy eyes, runny nose or pressure in sinuses you may get some relief for over the counter allergy medicine. Use the salt water it does help.
766716
If you do have a cold its probably a virus n which case there is no cure.  However, regarding your throat and voice problem I would see the doctor as they might be able to give you something for it.  I would drink plenty of water and gargle with pure lemon juice as this kills bacteria in the back of the throat.  Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.
51913
Drink lots of cool/cold fluids and use a humidifier, especially during sleep.  Use throat lozenges and gargle with a salt water solution....if the sore throat persists, see a doctor.  Anitbiotics and in some cases steroids may be needed.  Most sore throats respond to antibiotics, however there is a disease called epiglottitis that will need immediate intervention with steroids.
957776
My Great Grandma used to make an elixir of Honey and lemon juice in a cup and have us stir it with a spoon then lick it off to control coughing.  It works for a sore throst.  Also She was a firm believer in Vicks vapor rub to cure nasal and chest congestion.  YOu have to put it under your nose, all over your chest and back then wear a tshirt to bed with a bandana around your neck.  It also works good for muscle pain too.
77816
Answer:\nFrequently clean your hands..and doornobs.. it sounds silly but I read an article which leads me to believe "clean your hands":\n\nSore throats are so common they're one of the main reasons Americans see a doctor, accounting for more than 18 million office visits a year. But all those visits may not be necessary. The great majority of sore throats are caused by a virus and usually go away on their own in about a week. Only about 10 percent are bacterial infections that may require medical care.\n\nMost sore throat germs are transmitted through direct contact. Someone who is sick touches a doorknob, phone or other object. You handle the same object, picking up the germs, which are eventually transferred from your hands to your mouth or nose.\n......\nself-care measures such as resting and drinking plenty of fluids. Until you're feeling better, salt-water gargles, throat lozenges or hot water with honey and lemon can help make having a sore throat easier to swallow.
596278
Any thing hot will clear your throat, honey just "oils" your throat. May I also advice you to gargle in warm salty water. Salt cleanses and will help get get your voice back ;)
926703
If you have a vaporizer, go plug it in. The humidity will help soothe your throat.\nYou can also gargle with warm salt water & take some Motrin or aspirin.\nOther stuff like Cloraseptic Spray or Sucrets Lozenges help numb the pain, too.
31658
Strep throat is a bacterial infection caused by a bacteria called streptococcus.  While treating this infection with an antibiotic will speed the recovery from this infection, it is not necessary.  A relatively healthy person's immunce system can fight off this infection.
61782
What causes a sore throat? \nA sore throat can have many causes. Some of these are listed below:\n\nMany common viruses, and even the viruses that cause mononucleosis (mono) and the flu, can cause a sore throat. Some of the viruses that cause a sore throat can produce blisters in the mouth and throat ("aphthous stomatitis"). \nBreathing through the mouth can produce throat dryness and soreness. \nSinus drainage may cause a sore throat. \nA sore throat can also be caused by bacteria. The two most common bacteria to cause as sore throat are Streptococcus (which causes strep throat) and Arcanobacterium haemolyticum. Arcanobacterium causes sore throats mainly in young adults and is sometimes associated with a fine red rash. \nA sore throat that lasts for more than 2 weeks can be a sign of a serious illness, such as throat cancer or AIDS. \n\n\nThe treatment of pharyngitis will vary according to the cause.\n\nLozenges (cough medicine) are often used for short-term pain relief. \nAntibiotics are only helpful when a bacterial infection is the cause of the sore throat. For bacterial sore throats, antibiotics have been shown to only affect the degree of pain by day 4 and shorten the average natural duration by 16 hours overall (14 people need be treated for a week to reduce the duration by one day)[6]. \nGargling with warm salty water is a popular household remedy, although there is only anecdotal evidence this gives other than temporary relief and likewise for the use of aspirin gargles. \nWarm tea can help temporarily alleviate the pain of a sore throat.
467625
Streptococcal sore throat, also called strep throat, is an infection of the mucous membranes lining the pharynx. Strep throat is caused by bacteria. Sometimes the tonsils are also infected (tonsillitis). \n\nStrep throat accounts for between five and ten percent of all sore throats. Although anyone can get strep throat, it is most common in school age children. People who smoke, who are fatigued, run down, or who live in damp, crowded conditions are also more likely to become infected. Children under age two and adults who are not around children are less likely to get the disease. \n\nStrep throat occurs most frequently from November to April. \n\nHow is Strep Throat Transmitted?\n\nStrep Throat is transmitted directly from person to person by coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Very occasionally the disease is passed through food, when a food handler infected with strep throat accidentally contaminates food by coughing or sneezing. \n\nWhat causes Strep Throat?\n\nStrep Throat is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria.
263841
Most lozenges have sugar which sooth but don't kill germs.\n\nQ: What exactly is the mechanism/physiology of relief that gargling with warm salt water has on a sore throat?\n\n \n\nA: This is an educated guess.\n\nSore throats are sore due to inflammation. Usually, the inflammation is due to a viral or bacterial infection (the common cold, and strep throat, are examples of each). However, sore throat may also be related to allergies or physical injury to the throat. In each case, an inflammatory response has been triggered. Pain, swelling and an itchy or irritated sensation are the common symptoms of this inflammatory response.\n\nThe medical term for swelling is edema. As part of the inflammatory response, there is an increase in the water content of the involved tissues. With respect to sore throat, a sense of fullness and difficulty swallowing are both related to edema of the tissue lining the throat (mucosa).\n\nWater tends to follow salt. Anyone who has ever salted a snail knows what happens to the snail. Here’s a less disgusting analogy: have you ever salted slices of raw eggplant? The salt draws moisture from the eggplant; after a few minutes, you can see beads of fluid on the surface of the eggplant.\n\nEveryone has a different recipe for a salt water gargle, but all recipes tend to be fairly salty. If the gargle has a higher salt concentration than your intrinsic salt concentration, it will tend to draw out some of the edema fluid from the mucosa of the throat. This will make SOME of your "sore throat" symptoms better. The relief is very real, but also tends to be short-lived, since the gargle has done nothing to remove the cause of the sore throat.\n\nIn some cases, gargling with salt water also has a cleansing action. If you are suffering from postnasal drainage due to a bacterial sinus infection or allergies, the mucus which drains from your nasal cavity is full of chemicals that tend to promote an inflammatory response. As this stuff drains down the back of your throat, it leaves a trail of inflamed tissues in its wake. Frequent gargling with salt water will help minimize this problem.\n\nAs with everything else in medicine, you can certainly overdo this one! Make the gargle salty enough, and you will dessicate the mucosa of the throat. This could lead to even greater irritation than what you started with!