Singers, speakers, actors and all people who use their voice as a working tool know the importance of clearing their throats. This allows the excess mucus to be eliminated in order to emit a loud and in tune sound. If your throat is congested, there are over-the-counter products and home remedies that can help you clear it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Home Remedies
Step 1. Stay hydrated
If you have a lot of mucus in your throat, it is important to maintain good hydration; liquids, in fact, are able to dissolve it, making its expulsion easier.
- Avoid cold drinks whenever possible. Instead, opt for room temperature water or hot drinks like coffee and tea.
- Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. If you have a sore throat, you need to slightly increase your fluid intake. Carbonated water can help with a sore throat.
- Avoid fruit juices and sodas. The added sugars found in these drinks make the situation even worse. If you feel like drinking something other than your usual water, choose some sports drink or fresh fruit juice that contains only natural sugars.
- Milk and dairy products generally increase the secretion of phlegm. Avoid consuming them when trying to clear your throat.
Step 2. Try honey and lemon
These products are able to soothe the mucous membranes of the throat. Try adding a dash of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey to a glass of cold water or tea. This way, you get rid of the phlegm and soothe the pain or irritation at the same time.
Step 3. Eat spicy foods
This kind of food, at times, is able to dissolve the phlegm and facilitate its expulsion through the nose, cough or sneezing. Chillies, hot sauce, wasabi, horseradish, and all other spicy foods help clear your throat.
Step 4. Drink some herbal tea
Some people find these drinks to be beneficial. Try a few different herbal teas and evaluate the effects they have on your throat.
- Herbal teas of chamomile, ginger and lemon are the best known against congestion of the respiratory tract.
- Some people claim that green tea is able to soothe throat ailments.
Step 5. Choose healthy foods that help your throat
Some dishes are perfect for having a clear, strong voice and allow you to clear your throat. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins A, E and C which clear the airways of mucus. If you have a sore throat or your vocal cords are tired, try to consume soft foods until the irritation has resolved.
Part 2 of 3: Over-the-counter products
Step 1. Take medication to thin the mucus
These products, such as guaifenesin, are able to reduce the phlegm that causes coughing and throat irritation. If you are trying to lighten it, look for this kind of medicine at the pharmacy or drugstore. Take them according to the instructions on the package; if you are concerned that they may interact with other prescription medications you are taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Step 2. Try saline nasal sprays
These are available in pharmacies and drugstores without a prescription. They are quite effective in eliminating phlegm and other irritants that bother the mucous membranes of the throat.
- If you are taking nasal drops or sprays, always follow the dosage indicated on the leaflet. If in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
- If you have decided to use a sprinkler that involves squirting water into your nose, always use sterile liquid. Microorganisms found in tap water can reach the brain through the mucous membranes, causing serious health problems and even death.
Step 3. Buy over-the-counter pain medications if you have a sore throat
These medicines, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, relieve the suffering. They are able to reduce symptoms, such as coughing and rales, which only make congested throat discomfort worse. As always, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you have any doubts.
Part 3 of 3: Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Stop smoking
If you are a smoker, try to make an effort to stop this habit that is bad for your health in general. In fact, it makes you more susceptible to respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis and strep throat. Additionally, smoking damages the throat in general, as well as the vocal cords, causing pain and congestion. Ask your doctor to help you quit smoking.
Smoking also predisposes the smoker to carcinogens, which can lead to cancer
Step 2. Buy a humidifier
Very often the dry environment causes a sore throat. Consider purchasing a humidifier if you live in a very dry climate. Turn it on during the day or at night to increase the humidity of the air in your home and, consequently, to eliminate irritation of the respiratory tract.
Step 3. Avoid straining your voice
If you are susceptible to throat irritation, pay attention to the way you speak. Straining your vocal cords can cause throat pain and a buildup of phlegm.
- If you have a sore throat, avoid coughing. Coughing makes irritation worse if necessary, take an over-the-counter antitussive medication or balsamic candy to soothe the pain that triggers the cough reflex.
- Don't shout, yell and don't cheer at the stadium. If you work in an industry that requires you to speak loudly, make an effort to rest your vocal cords at the end of the day. Speak in a low, subdued tone.
Step 4. Avoid clearing your throat too often
Coughing, rales, and other attempts to clear the throat provide momentary relief. However, if you persist in this behavior too often when you have a sore throat, it can aggravate the irritation of the mucous membranes. The consequence of all this is an extension of the recovery times. If you feel like you need to clear your throat, buy nonprescription drops or balsamic candies that can give you some relief.
Step 5. Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Both of these substances increase dehydration by prolonging the discomfort in the throat and making it dry. Try to avoid drinks with caffeine or too much alcohol. Men should have no more than two drinks per night and women no more than one.
Step 6. Contact your doctor
Usually, sore throats and airway congestion are not a medical emergency; both are disorders that go away on their own. However, if you suffer from it for more than two weeks, you should go to the doctor to rule out any medical conditions.
