As the winter weather starts to creep in, we begin to spend more time indoors attracting infections. The throat and its delicate tissue is highly susceptible to irritation and inflammation from viruses and bacteria. Below we have listed the three most common throat infections that cause issues and different preventative measures you can take to care for your throat.
#1 Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is a common illness that creeps up every winter. It is characterized by the swollen and inflamed tonsils on either side of the back of the neck. Signs and symptoms include:
Swollen tonsils
Sore throat
Difficulty swallowing
Tender lymph nodes (either side of the neck)
Common viruses usually cause the infection that results in tonsillitis, but on some occasions, it can stem from bacterial infections. Each case of tonsillitis is different and requires prompt attention from the doctor to receive the best treatment. Some circumstances call for a procedure to remove the tonsils altogether when patients don't respond to the initial treatment plan.
How to Care for Your Throat to Prevent Tonsillitis
The virus and bacteria that can cause tonsillitis is very contagious, which means practicing good hygiene is the best preventative treatment available.
Always wash hands
Avoid sharing food, drinks, eating utensils, and drinking vessels
Replace toothbrush if you've been diagnosed with tonsillitis.
You'll also want to keep your water intake high and make sure you are getting plenty of sleep every night. When your body is tired and deprived of rest, it becomes susceptible to infections. It's also advisable to take Vitamin C tablets when you are feeling any illness creeping in. Vitamin C is water soluble, which means your body will eliminate what you don't need.
#2 Sinusitis
There are a couple of different variations of sinusitis. Commonly associated with a head cold, acute sinusitis interferes with breathing when the nasal cavities become swollen. Acute sinusitis is brought on by the same virus that causes a head cold, but if the symptoms haven't cleared within a week to ten days, you might have chronic sinusitis and would benefit from seeing a sinus specialist.
Acute sinusitis symptoms include:
Thick yellow or green discharge from the nose
Nasal congestion
Pain, tenderness, or swelling around eyes, forehead, and cheeks
Care Tips for Your Neck When You Suffer From Sinusitis
Although most of the issues with sinusitis occur in the nasal passages, a lot of mucus drains down the neck irritating the throat and causing soreness. It's advisable to prevent inflammation of the throat by taking care of your allergies year round. It may seem out of character to worry about allergies in winter, but the more time you spend inside, the more you interact with dust one of the leading allergens. Frequently washing your hands will help avoid catching other respiratory infections, and a humidifier adds moisture to the dry winter air.
#3 Swollen Lymph Nodes
The lymphatic system is a complex network of organs and vessels that run throughout the body, with many located in the head and neck. Your lymph nodes play an essential role in the body's ability to fight off infection and filter out trapped bacteria that causes viruses before they become a problem. Unfortunately, they are also susceptible to inflammation from the common cold. Most individuals will notice swollen lymph nodes in their neck, but there can be swelling under the chin or in the armpits.
The symptoms of swollen lymph nodes vary depending on the cause. Most cases are brought on by a virus and bacterial infection and produce the following symptoms:
Swelling the size of a pea or larger
A runny nose, sore throat, and fever
Night sweats
The Best Treatments for the Neck When the Lymph Nodes Are Swollen
It's believed the cold weather itself is what causes infection, but it revolves around spending more time indoors where there is a higher risk of cross-contamination when others are ill. Staying warm, well hydrated, and getting plenty of sleep is the best way to keep the immune system healthy.
