Now that the Christmas season has officially begun in the Philippines, knowing the right sore throat remedy can help quickly ease any discomfort that can stop us from enjoying the holidays. With the “BER” months stepping in, everyone begins to feel the sudden shift to cold weather. In fact, changes in the weather can challenge our immune system, especially since our bodies get used to a certain climate.1 Unfortunately, increase in respiratory illnesses like colds, cough, and sore throat. The last thing anyone wants during the holidays is a dry, itchy, and painful sore throat that prevents people from getting into the Christmas cheer. Now that you know sore throat cases rise during the holidays, let’s understand what causes the increase of sore throat cases during the most festive time of the year.
Why Do Sore Throat Cases Rise During the Holidays?
The Christmas season calls for more holiday gatherings plus a colder season which can increase in respiratory illnesses like colds, cough, and sore throat. This can be due to being in close proximity with others, perhaps sharing food or drinks2, all while the temperatures begin to fluctuate. Now, how can we determine if what we’re getting is a sore throat? Usually, it is when you begin to feel a painful, dry, and scratchy feeling in your throat. Once you experience these symptoms, you might feel a bit of pain when you talk or swallow food. When it comes to sore throat there are three types, mainly Pharyngitis which causes swelling and soreness in the throat, Tonsillitis involves swelling and redness of the tonsils, and Laryngitis which involves swelling and redness of the voice box.3 Most sore throats are caused by infections or by environmental factors such as changes in the weather.
Understanding these symptoms are essential to know, just as much as understanding the few health triggers that can cause a sore throat:
- Not dressing properly for the chilly climate
When temperatures begin to drop, doctors recommend dressing in light layers to make it easier for you to add or shed clothes.1 Dressing up with the wrong amount of clothes can affect the body’s immune response. You may begin to experience warning signs of sore throat, colds, or even develop a fever. This holiday season, don’t stop yourself from showing off your favorite Christmas sweater for all those chilly days.
- Cold weather triggers certain illnesses
The Christmas season brings in colder air which can trigger respiratory illnesses that can progress into colds or sore throat. For those who suffer from these conditions, it is best to be ready with a sore throat remedy or a speedy sore throat medicine like Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) Lozenge that acts fast enough to relieve sore throat.
- Outbreak of sicknesses within shared spaces
Christmas brings families, co-workers, and loved ones together for holiday celebrations. Although, if one person is sick even with a simple cold, this can trigger a minor “outbreak” of sicknesses that can affect everybody. Make sure to bring face masks, sore throat medicine, and practice good hygiene to keep your body safe from any infections that can cause cough and colds which can lead to a sore throat.
- Often traveling to new places
Who would want to experience getting a sore throat during all your booked trips during the holiday season? Nobody! Although it’s best to be prepared because traveling exposes you to new environments, weather changes, and different air quality2 all of which can lead to triggers that may cause a sore throat. When it comes to traveling to new locations, ensure you have good hygiene practices and be prepared to have your face masks, hand sanitizer, and a fast-acting sore throat medicine.
- Spending time in areas with dehumidified air
Some areas may rapidly alternate heating and cooling systems depending on the weather which can dehumidify air.1 This creates a perfect storm for chronic sinus issues which can lead to sore throat. Of course, given the humid weather in the Philippines there are higher chances we would want to be in an air-conditioned space, it is best to bring essentials such as face masks, sanitizing products, your favorite Christmas sweater, and your trusted sore throat medicine that gives you the speedy sore throat relief you need like Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) Lozenge.
Given all these triggers that can cause a sore throat, it is best to always be prepared with sore throat medicine, especially during the holiday season. Now that you have a clearer understanding of how the colder season can trigger higher cases of sore throat, it’s best to quickly prevent these from happening for us to enjoy the Christmas season with no worries.
Your Sore Throat Remedy This Holiday Season
Whatever the cause of your sore throat, we know that sore throat can’t stop Christmas with the help of Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) Lozenge. When you begin to experience symptoms of a mild sore throat, taking a Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) Lozenge can provide the speedy soothing relief your throat needs.
Each Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) Lozenge helps give speedy soothing relief for dry, itchy, and painful throats. This sore throat medicine is clinically proven to help relieve pain and soothe the throat in as fast as sixty seconds and can last up to two hours. When dealing with a sore throat, choosing the right sore throat medicine is key. For mild sore throat cases, Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) Lozenge offers relief in these variants: Cool Sensation, Honey Lemon, and even Sugar-Free Lemon. These are suitable for adults and children aged six years and older.
If you are experiencing a moderate sore throat, take Hexylresorcinol (Strepsils Max) Lozenge to get the relief you need for an irritated throat. Lastly for severe sore throat cases, be ready with Flurbiprofen (Strepsils MaxPro) Lozenge for those with an inflamed sore throat. On the other hand, you can also incorporate other sore throat home remedies you can use in your daily routine during the jolly Christmas season.
Sore Throat Home Remedies You Can Try During the Holidays
Finding an alternative sore throat remedy for the holidays can begin at home. Here are some easy methods you can use to help soothe your throat.
- Sip on warm drinks such as tea, soup, or warm water with lemon. Herbal teas can be especially soothing to a sore throat.4 to help alleviate any discomfort you may feel in your throat.
- Adding honey to warm water. Since Honey is a type of food that coats the throat, this can help relieve irritation and pain when you are experiencing a sore throat.
- Taking in certain cold foods like ice cubes can help hydrate and numb your throat, which eases any pain you may feel when you swallow food. On the other hand, ice cream or frozen yoghurt can also deliver that similar effect while keeping your energy levels up.
- Try gargling with warm salty water to help reduce sore throat This may help with any discomfort you may feel from your sore throat.
- Be sure to stay hydrated while you are managing your sore throat. Make sure you drink enough liquid like warm or cool drinks to soothe your throat.
- Chew on mild, soft, and warm foods such as soup which can be easier to swallow when you experience a painful sore throat versus a spicy, rough-textured, or room temperature dish.
Check out more home remedies you can try here.
There are tons of sore throat remedies you can try out just in time for the holiday season. Finding the right and fast sore throat remedy that works best for you can help you enjoy all your jolly festivities like Christmas caroling or belting out your favorite holiday tunes during karaoke nights with no interruptions due to sore throat. More than just knowing what sore throat remedy or sore throat medicine is suitable for you, it is best to also consider how you can prevent sore throat in the first place.
Tips for Preventing Sore Throat
This holiday season, here are some ways to stop sore throat from ruining your holiday moments.
- Make sure to eat a balanced diet of fresh fruit and vegetables with every dish you get to delight in during the holidays.
- Despite the holiday rush, be sure to rest up with at least eight hours of sleep per day.
- Have enough time to exercise at least 3-4x a week with your favorite physical activity.
- No matter how hectic the holidays can get, avoiding stress is a big essential in surviving all the Christmas planning. Try to find ways to practice relaxing such as meditation, yoga, or even just simply taking a nap.
- Look out for ways you can strengthen your immune system. It is incredibly important to also keep your body protected from any sicknesses. Be sure to take your daily vitamins and prepare all the medicines you need just in case your body begins to show symptoms of sicknesses. In the case you begin to get symptoms from a sore throat, you can easily and quickly stop it with Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) Lozenge and drink plenty of fluids to keep your throat lubricated. You can choose from a variety of flavors such as Honey Lemon, Sugar-Free Lemon, and even Strawberry which is suitable for kids.
- Keep your hands clean and sanitized to avoid catching sicknesses that can lead to sore throat. Make sure to wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water for 30 seconds.6 If you cannot access a sink, be sure to disinfect your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to keep sickness at bay.
This holiday season, the best way to you can fully enjoy the Christmas cheer is to be in healthy shape so you can spend more quality time with your loved ones during this festive season. Now that we know why sore throat cases rise during the holidays, it is best to learn preventive tips and find the most suitable and fast-acting sore throat remedy for you. That’s why sore throat can’t stop Christmas with the help of Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) Lozenge. See how the iconic Christmas star, Jose Mari-Chan bounces back quickly from a sore throat in every performance just by taking Dichlorobenzyl Alcohol + Amylmetacresol (Strepsils) Lozenge in this video!
Sources:
1 Can a sudden change in the weather affect your health? https://www.piedmont.org/living-real-change/can-a-sudden-change-in-the-weather-affect-your-health. Accessed on September 6, 2024.
2 4 Common Illnesses You Can Catch on Holiday. Available at https://www.mountelizabeth.com.sg/health-plus/article/4-illnesses-you-could-have-gotten-from-the-holiday. Accessed on September 6, 2024.
3 Your Sore Throat: Is it Tonsilitis, Pharyngitis, or Laryngitis? Available at https://www.strepsils.com.ph/health-tips/sore-throat-explained/tonsillitis-pharyngitis-laryngitis/. Accessed on September 20, 2024.
4 Sore Throat 101: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. Available at https://www.healthline.com/health/sore-throat. Accessed on September 6, 2024.
5 Home Remedies for Sore Throat. Available at https://www.strepsils.com.ph/health-tips/treatment-options/home-remedies/. Accessed on September 20, 2024.
6 Tips to Avoid Sore Throat. Available at https://www.strepsils.com.ph/health-tips/sore-throat-explained/how-to-avoid-a-sore-throat/. Accessed on September 23, 2024.
7 Remedies for Sore Throat. Available at https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/remedies-for-sore-throat. Accessed on September 6, 2024.
8 Sore Throat. Available at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635. Accessed on September 6, 2024.
9 Travel-related respiratory symptoms and infections in travelers (2000–22): a systematic review and meta-analysis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10481419/ Accessed on September 10, 2024.