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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder: SORE THROAT
Description: The medical terms for sore throat are pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat), laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx or voice box), and tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils. The majority of sore throats are minor viral illnesses that can be treated easily at home. Sore throats are rarely serious, but often are the first symptom of many other health problems, such as a cold, the flu, herpes simplex, mononucleosis and many childhood illnesses such as measles and chickenpox. About one-third of sore throats are diagnosed as "strep" throat, an infection caused by streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat must be identified and treated, or it can lead to a number of complications, the most serious of which is rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can cause heart damage.
Symptoms: Sore throat produces varying amounts of pain (often experienced as a rawness), usually when swallowing or speaking, accompanied by dryness, feelings of constantly needing to clear the throat, and congestion of mucous membranes. Postnasal drip, enlargement of lymph nodes in the neck and fever may also be present. Slight loss of normal voice, or hoarseness, often accompanies a sore throat and is usually not serious. Symptoms of strep infection include a very painful sore throat, often accompanied by headache, stomach pain, vomiting and/or tender or very firm lymph nodes. There may be much difficulty swallowing. Temperature that escalates to 102 degrees or even higher is possible. The symptoms often come on suddenly, and the individual looks and feels very sick. If you suspect a strep infection, contact your doctor. Only a throat culture can accurately confirm a diagnosis of strep.
Causes: Most sore throats are caused by viruses or bacteria. Other possible causes include overuse of the voice and local irritation such as that from exposure to cigarette smoke, environmental pollutants, dust, or dry winter air. Chronic coughing and excessive loud talking can also irritate the throat. A sore throat can also be caused by an abscess in the back of the throat or on the tonsils.
Treatments: If the diagnosis is strep, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic such as penicillin. It is important that you take the entire prescription to completely eradicate the bacterial infection. Don’t stop taking the pills after a few days, even if you feel much better. If strep throat is ruled out, the cause is most likely a viral infection. In this case, antibiotics are ineffective and are not appropriate. Treatment for a viral infection is aimed at staying as comfortable as possible until it runs its course.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
Acidophilus |
As directed on label. Take on an empty stomach. |
To replenish "friendly" bacteria. Especially important if antibiotics are prescribed. |
|
Garlic |
2 capsules 3 times daily. |
For improved immune function. |
|
Multi-vitamin and mineral complex |
As directed on label. |
To maintain a balance of all necessary nutrients |
|
Zinc lozenges |
As directed on label. |
For pain relief, healing, and improved immune function. |
|
Vitamin C |
5000-20,000 mg. daily, in divided doses. |
Has antiviral properties. |
|
Vitamin E |
400 IU daily. |
Promotes healing and tissue repair. |
Herbs:
 | Echinacea and goldenseal stimulate the immune system
and are important for helping to clear any kind of infection. Take one dose of
a combination product every two hours during the acute phase. Then cut back to
one dose three times a day for up to one week.
| Drink an herbal sore-throat tea containing some or all
of the following: slippery elm bark, hyssop, licorice root and sage. Take a
cup of the tea three times daily for a couple of days until you feel better.
You can also cool the tea and use it as a gargle. (Note: Do not use licorice
on a daily basis for more than five days at a time, as it can elevate blood
pressure. Do not use it at all if you have high blood pressure.)
| Marshmallow root tea soothes a scratchy, itchy throat.
Raspberry leaf tea is good for easing the pain of a sore throat as well as
fever blisters. | |
Recommendations:
| If your physician prescribes antibiotics, eat yogurt
and take an acidophilus supplement to replace the "friendly"
bacteria. Do not take the acidophilus at the same time as the antibiotic,
however.
| Drink plenty of liquids. Fresh juices are best. Warm
miso soup and chicken soup are also excellent choices.
| Eat lots of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Cut out sugar, refined carbohydrates, and dairy products.
| Enjoy ice-cold frozen-fruit-juice popsicles. These can
be effective temporary anesthetics for a soar throat.
| Use a mixture of raw honey and lemon juice to coat and
soothe the throat.
| Get plenty of rest. A rested body generally heals more
quickly than an active one.
| Use a cool mist vaporizer to humidify the air.
Humidified air soothes irritated respiratory membranes and helps relieve
coughing and hoarseness.
| Liquid vitamin C, made by dissolving vitamin C powder
in water or juice, is good to sip. Allow it to drip down the throat slowly.
| Gargle alternately with chlorophyll liquid and sea
salt (l/2 teaspoon in a glass of warm water) every few hours.
| Sugar-free herbal-based lozenges fortified with
vitamin C or zinc are very helpful. Avoid lozenges made with unnecessary
chemicals and sugar, however.
| If you smoke, stop. Smoking is a major cause of sore
throats. | |
Considerations:
| If sore throat recurs or lasts for longer than two
weeks, you may have an underlying illness such as mononucleosis.
| Sore throats and infections can be contracted from
bacteria on toothbrushes. Replace your toothbrush frequently and especially
after any type of infectious illness. Between uses, store your toothbrush in
hydrogen peroxide or grapefruit seed extract to kill germs. If you use
hydrogen peroxide, rinse the toothbrush well before brushing. | |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No. 59618- |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
888-15 |
Acidophilus with Pectin hardshell |
As directed on label. |
$6.95/100 |
|
982-15 |
One A Day Maximum tabs. |
As directed on label. |
$6.95/100 |
|
970-12 |
Vitamin C 1000 mg. with Rose Hips tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily, in divided doses |
$5.75/60 |
|
223-15 |
Zinc (chelated) Lozenges |
As directed on label. |
$4.95/100 |
|
978-15 |
Garlic tabs. 400 mg. |
2 tablets 3 times daily, with meals. |
$5.50/100 |
|
234-15 |
Vitamin E 400 IU (D-alpha tocopheryl) softgels |
1 softgel daily |
$8.95/100 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition
By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Smart Medicine for Healthier Living
By Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreen, M.D., James B. LaValle, R.Ph.
