The scratchy and irritating feeling in your throat called sore throat can result from infections, allergies and environmental irritants. Viruses cause most sore throats. These viral infections usually resolve on their own without any treatment,...
A head cold--also called the common cold--is the most frequent illness you will experience in your lifetime. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reports more than 200 different viruses can cause the common cold. Adults...
At some point in your life, you've no doubt suffered from a sore throat. That scratchy, dry or painful sensation is often extremely uncomfortable and can make it difficult for you to swallow, but it's rarely a cause for alarm. Most of the time,...
Lots of babies -- more than 60 percent -- have problems with gastric reflux during the first year of their life, according to AskDrSears.com, the parenting information website maintained by pediatrician William Sears. For babies, this early form...
A sore or scratchy throat is not just painful--it can also make swallowing and speaking difficult. If you are experiencing these symptoms, using home remedies in addition to other medications can help. But if your scratchy throat is accompanied by...
Vinegar has been used for centuries in various cultures as a health remedy. Today, vinegar is still used in a number of ways to treat medical ailments. According to the Vinegar Institute, the United States Food and Drug Administration requires...
Pollen is a small grain found in male plants that is used for reproduction. Unfortunately, it is also the most common cause of allergic rhinitis in people, according to the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. When someone is allergic to...
There are many different flu viruses that may cause illness in humans. According to the CDC, the flu spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets, making prevention through hand washing, and other hygiene measures, important....
The common cold and the influenza virus are two different illnesses, but symptoms can seem pretty similar. Although antiviral drugs may help flu symptoms ease a little sooner, there really isn't a good treatment for either the cold or the flu. But...
Influenza viruses types A, B and C cause the illness known as the flu. Influenza viruses types A and B are primarily responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks, which typically begin in October or November and run through March. The Centers for...
A sore throat has many possible causes, from bacterial or viral infections to postnasal drip from allergies or a cold. Environmental factors, such as smoke, pollution and yelling, also can cause a sore, scratchy throat. A sore throat may vary in...
Similar symptoms of cold and flu can make it hard to tell the difference. In either case, the illness usually lasts for one to three weeks. The symptoms of a common cold develop slower than flu in two to three days. Flu symptoms start suddenly...
If you have a cold or flu, your doctor is likely to recommend rest and fluids while waiting out the virus. However, you can use home remedies to relieve symptoms and help you get better as quickly as possible. One home remedy to avoid is the use...
Your child's respiratory system is divided into two parts -- upper and lower. His upper respiratory tract is made up of his sinuses, nose, larynx and trachea. An infection in this area is most often the result of the common cold. Most cases...
Cayenne pepper may soothe a sore throat, providing pain relief for a temporary period. There is no proven science to define why cayenne pepper relieves a sore throat. However, in theory, the oils within cayenne pepper block substance P, which is a...
If you are suffering with sniffles, head congestion, a sore throat and a cough, you have probably been struck down with the common cold. The common cold is not a serious medical condition and affects most adults at least twice a year, says the...
Pharyngitis -- or a sore throat -- is scratchiness, pain or irritation that usually becomes worse during swallowing. Sore throats are often caused by a viral infection, such as a cold or flu. Viral infections can often be treated at home. Certain...
If your child complains of an itchy or scratchy sore throat, a visit to the doctor is not necessarily in order. Instead, many items you have at home may be useful in treating your child's sore or swollen throat. If your child's sore throat does...
Colds are caused by viruses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that on average, children are infected by any one of 200 different strains of cold viruses eight to 12 times a year; adults are infected an average of four times a...
Sore throats are typically the results of viral infections, according to Dr. James Balch and Phyllis Balch, authors of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." The common cold is the most typical cause of this condition. A sore throat is...
The influenza virus infects about 60 millions people in the United States every year. Colds are the most contagious infection in the United States, and the number one reason kids stay home from school, according to KidsHealth.org. The common cold...
Nocturnal reflux is a type of acid reflux disease that occurs during the night. In the December 2005 issue of "Practical Gastroenterology," Philip O. Katz points out that often nocturnal reflux is asymptomatic, but the damage still exists inside...
Rhinitis is a condition that is characterized by inflammation of the lining of the nasal cavity. The inflammation results from expanding blood vessels in the lining. This condition fills the lining with fluid and blood. The swelling associated...
A cough can be caused by a variety of reasons from a simple tickle in the throat to allergies. A cough can often be treated at home using a variety of holistic home remedies. Most ingredients will be available in your kitchen cabinets or...
For allergy sufferers, the release of tree pollen into the air in early spring heralds the beginning of a season filled with sneezing, itchy watery eyes and more uncomfortable allergy symptoms. Pollen is produced by trees as part of their...
Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines aren't generally an option for babies suffering from a cough, as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that they are not recommended for babies less than 2 years old. There are several safe home...
A sore throat is a common symptom in a child, particularly during the course of a viral cold. The scratchiness and pain of a sore throat may be accompanied by a runny nose or post-nasal drainage. Small children might not be able to articulate...
A stuffed-up nose and sore throat may both be caused by mucus, which collects in the nasal passages. Mucus may drip from the sinuses into the back of the throat, causing a scratchy, painful sore throat. If it's OK with your doctor, you can use...
Sore throat causes a burning or scratchy feeling in the throat. There are many different causes of sore throat, ranging from infections and allergies to pollution, smoking and cancer. You should seek medical attention for a sore throat, as it can...
Sore throat, or pharyngitis, is a painful condition wherein the pharynx inflames and makes swallowing difficult. Learn more about sore throat in this health video.
