Can Drinking Warm Water Help Soothe a Sore Throat?
When our throat feels dry and scratchy, it can be quite uncomfortable. A sore throat is one of the most common symptoms of a cold or flu, and it can also occur due to overuse of the voice. In such cases, many people turn to hot tea or warm water as a quick remedy to soothe their throat.
Drinking warm water is an age-old remedy that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. It's believed that drinking warm liquids helps to moisten the mucous membranes in the throat, which are often irritated when we have a sore throat. The warmth also helps to relax muscles and reduce inflammation.
But does drinking warm water really help? Let's dive deeper into this topic.
Firstly, let's talk about what happens when we get a sore throat. When our body fights off an infection like the common cold or flu virus, it produces mucus as part of its defense mechanism. This mucus builds up in our respiratory tract including our nose, sinuses, ears and especially our mouth and throat.
The mucus produced during an infection contains enzymes that break down proteins from dead cells - these are called proteases - which are very potent irritants if they come into contact with exposed tissue like your vocal cords or tonsils causing pain and discomfort known as inflammation.
Inflammation leads to swelling of tissues which further narrows airways making breathing difficult while speaking becomes painful due to friction between inflamed vocal cords causing hoarseness (or loss of pitch).
Now back on track with how drinking warm liquids works:
The heat from the liquid causes blood vessels near your skin surface (including those under your tongue) dilate increasing blood flow towards them.
As you swallow this hot drink (like tea), some small amount goes past pharynx (throat).
Here’s where magic happens: Hot drinks stimulate nerve endings at base-of-tongue area stimulating saliva production.
Saliva contains enzymes lysozyme which breaks down bacterial cell walls killing bacteria responsible for infections leading to inflammation reducing pain/discomfort associated with having swollen tonsils/vocal cords!
5). Also because saliva lubricates mouth & pharynx keeping them moist reducing irritation caused by dryness
So why not try something else? Well there might be other factors contributing too so let me explain more details about different methods here below:
Gargling: Rinsing out infected areas using saltwater solution can kill bacteria but doesn't provide long-lasting relief since once swallowed all benefits lost quickly
Honey: Natural antibacterial properties found within honey could work well against viral infections; however studies show mixed results regarding effectiveness
Cough drops/Lozenges: These contain soothing ingredients but don't address underlying cause just mask symptoms temporarily until next dose needed
Drinking warm water may seem simple yet effective compared above mentioned alternatives! So go ahead give it another try if you haven’t already!