Throat care

This relates to moisture ‘inside’ the body that helps to hydrate tissues:

• Drink 1.5 – 2 litres water a day (small sips)
• Keep a drink by your bed
• Try a ‘motivational water bottle’
• Reduce caffeine intake
• Try fresh pineapple juice
• Eat fresh fruit

This relates to getting moisture from ‘outside’ the body:

• Inhale steam in the shower
• Inhale steam from hot drinks
• Try a steam inhaler cup
• Try an electric facial steamer
• Add moisture to rooms e.g. bowl of water on radiator/ room humidifier

A dry mouth can lead to drier air in your throat, which can be irritating and makes it hard to swallow

• Try to breathe through your nose
• Sip water regularly
• Use a fine water spray in your mouth
• Try a lozenge and/or saliva replacement gel
• Stop smoking

Dry powder from your inhaler can irritate the lining of your mouth and throat.

• Use a spacer when possible

After using your inhaler:

• Rinse your mouth
• Gargle
• Inhale steam (e.g. in shower)

Some medications can dry the lining of your throat.

The main medications with this effect include: Anti-depressants, statins, hyoscine, atropine and some blood pressure tablets.

Talk to your GP if you think it would be possible to change any of these. 

Do not stop any medication without medical advice.

A blocked nose can lead to mouth breathing which has a drying effect.  Mucus dripping from the nose into the throat can irritate the throat.

• Inhale steam
• Try a nasal douche/ saline spray
• Manage allergies (speak to your GP)
• Ask for a referral to an ear, nose and throat doctor if your symptoms are severe

Coughing and throat clearing in response to a tickle or itch in the throat is a bit like ‘scratching a midge bite, or chicken pox’.  It can irritate the lining of the throat more, and lead to more mucus and more irritation

If you feel an irritation in your throat:

• Sip water to swallow away mucus
• Try to breathe through your nose, and out through pursed lips (pfff)
• Distract your attention away from the irritation

Sometimes acid reflux comes up to the throat, in liquid or aerosol form.  This can irritate the throat.

• Avoid eating within 3 hours of bed
• Avoid eating before exercise
• Avoid smoking
• Limit food/drink that can make your reflux worse
  e.g. caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, fatty food
• Use a bed-wedge or raise the head of your bed
• Eat smaller meal