What Can You Take For A Sore Throat While Pregnant?

Pregnancy represents a tough stage in the life of every woman, and if you experience a sore throat, it`s simply adding more misery to the whole situation. There is practically no association between sore throat and pregnancy, so just about anyone out there is just as vulnerable to the condition.

About Sore Throat

Also known as strep throat, sore throat represents an infection in the throat and tonsils. Swelling, inflammation, pain or irritation represents the symptoms you`ll have around the tonsils, which are practically the result of streptococcal bacteria.

Sore throat isn`t the same as strep throat at all times. With sore throat, the throat and tonsils could be affected by allergic reactions or other type of infections, while when strep throat is involved, there`s always a bacterial cause involved.

What Are the Causes of Sore Throat while Pregnant?

There are many causes that lead to a sore throat, such as chemical substances, acid reflux, allergic reactions, pollutants, asthma, fungal and bacterial infections. However, according to Mary L. Rosser, a professor and MD of Yeshiva University, most of the time it occurs because of viral infections.

When you are expecting, sore throat frequently occur because of congestion pr postnasal drip.

Oral Thrush

This is the result of the fungus Candida albicans, which could develop in an abundant manner while pregnant due to the additional hormones and the weak immunity to fight the fungus.

It`s usually seen as an infection of the vagina and its signs can occur in the throat and mouth, and generally show cracking the mouth`s corners, soreness, white lesions, loss of taste, a cottony sensation inside the mouth, redness, and slight bleeding on occasion.

Lots of women describe it as a cottage cheese.

Asthma

This represents the inflammation of the lungs` lining which causes spasms and results in shortness of breath. It`s generally related to hypersensitivity and allergic reactions to things such as pollen or dust.

Signs could involve tightness of the throat, scratching or irritated feeling. This might be a warning symptom of a potential asthma attack.

Bacterial Infection

Strep throat represents the most frequent bacterial infection. For example, tonsils may lead to inflammation, loss of appetite, occasionally nausea, fever, redness, swollen neck glands, soreness and fever, and Group A streptococcal bacteria could provide infection to the throat. You might notice grey or white patches in your throat.

There are also other types of infection, like Chlamydia, corynebacterium and gonorrhea. A consultation of a physician will generally lead to a throat swab, which will be examined in a laboratory in order to find the bacteria type present and what antibiotics you need.

Congestion

This represents nothing more than pressure in the sinuses, along with a sore throat and blocked nose. Generally, it`s the result of an infection in the nose`s lining that stops mucus from draining. Signs might include pressure or tenderness around the cheeks, forehead and eyes, and might lead to a headache as well.

Acid Reflux

This represents more of a feeling of burning in your throat, frequently after you finish eating. While pregnant, the acid of the stomach could escape into the esophagus due to the fact pregnancy hormones make the muscle closing the stomach`s top less efficient.

Signs include burping, nausea on occasion, hot type of pain, and acid regurgitation.

Cold & Flu

Viruses represent the most frequent causes of sore throat, and both cold and flu have kind of the very same signs: sore throat associated with sneezing, chills, cough, running nose, aches, feeling rather lousy, and fever on occasion.

When the flu is concerned, signs are more debilitating and could frequently be associated with vomiting and diarrhea. It is essential to be able to make the difference between these two during pregnancy, as this condition could be a lot more severe.

Related: How Many Days Does A Flu Fever Last?

When to Be Worried & Contact the Doctor?

It might be tough to make a determination over the true reason of the sore throat without medical assistance. Lots of women may prefer to ensure the signs at first, using home remedies or self treatment to relieve them. There`s nothing wrong with this if you also get in touch with the doctor.

You should also contact him if any of the following symptoms occur:

• Diarrhea or vomiting.
• Dizzy spells/faintness.
• Not being able to swallow water or food because of the pain.
• Reduced movement of the fetus.
• Short of breath.
• Asthma attack.
• Fever over 100.4 °C.

Home Remedies for Sore Throat

You could attempt natural remedies, such as hot water or saltwater gargle combined with lemon and honey. If this doesn`t help, you could try acetaminophen if you experience any pain.

Salt Water Gargle

Combine 1 tablespoon of salt in a bit of warm water and then gargle it a few times a day in order to hydrate your throat`s membranes and soothe its irritation. Lots of experts and doctors think that salt water matches the saline content of our body and represents a great remedy to treat sore throats.

Tea

Prepare yourself a cup of tea with lemon and honey. According to most experts, lemon aids break up the mucus which is contributing to the sore throat. On the other hand, honey will follow behind and coat the throat that is already irritated, aiding you to cough a lot less.

Both these 2 ingredients could ease the pain for the moment, but if the signs still continue, you can drink it a few times a day. According to WebMD, chamomile tea soothes irritation.

Candy

According to the “Doctor`s Book of Home Remedies,” you should suck on hard cough drops or candy. Sucking on them does not necessarily work by aiding your throat specifically, but instead they increase the production of saliva in the mouth. The increased saliva amount will aid the throat by simply cleansing it.

Humidifiers & Steam

Use a humidifier in the living room or bedroom if you experience dry or sore throats. According to most specialists, the moist air will aid maintain the mucus membranes moist, preventing or reducing any possible signs. Breathing steam could have a rather similar effect, if you cannot use a humidifier. – More info!

Boil a big water pot on your stove until it starts producing steam. Breathe in the steam from the pot and let it continue to boil. This will add moisture to the air in the room.

Fluids

Increase your intake of fluids at the very first symptom of sore throat or cold. Fluids will aid thin mucus, hydrate membranes and flush toxins. According to MayoClinic.org, the production of mucus leeches extra amounts of fluids from the body which require to be replaced.