Clearing away winter throat complaints
Print Edition
THE onset of winter temperatures brings throat discomfort to many people. While most of these issues are temporary, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential to preventing chronic problems.
As one of the body’s areas of contact with the outside world, it is natural for the throat to have defensive reactions against outside irritants. Dry, itchy or sore throat, excess phlegm or sensation of obstruction are common complaints this time of year.
For the most part, these are nothing to worry about, according to Zhang Jianning, associate physician at the Ear-Nose-Throat Department of Yueyang Hospital attached to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Anxiety and sleeplessness may aggravate such symptoms, as can other unhealthy habits like frequent throat clearing, yelling and smoking.
Patients should be alert of three conditions: frequent blood in one’s phlegm, a feeling of obstruction when eating and visible swelling on one side of the neck. It is recommended to see a doctor when these occur.
Chronic pharyngitis is often related with unhealthy habits like irregular sleep, excessive drinking, smoking and eating spicy foods, as well as exposure to work and living environments with high temperatures, dust and harmful gas.
Prevention is always more effective than treatment, according to Zhang.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle that allows for adequate sleep and regular physical exercise can help stave off throat complaints.
Avoiding spicy, hot and freezing foods is also recommended. Also, limit smoking and alcohol consumption, and wear a protective mask when exposed to harmful gas or dust. Do not strain the throat with prolonged speaking and loud singing.
Timely treatment of acute pharyngitis is essential to prevent it from becoming chronic.
For patients with chronic pharyngitis, patent TCM drugs which dispel pathogenic heat are recommended. Soups made with fresh turnip and olive, and white fungus soup with rock sugar can also help relieve throat discomfort.
Though TCM drugs are widely believed to have few side-effects, they may also burden the liver and kidney if taken long-term.
It is recommended to see a professional doctor for regular check-ups and timely medication advice.
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