Throat lozenges for sore throat — do they work?
Popping a throat lozenge to get immediate relief from sore throat is a practice followed by many. But have you ever thought whether or not these tablets really work? Today, there are so many brands of lozenges available in the pharmaceutical market that it is natural for you to get confused about which ones are really effective and which ones are not. Here’s some useful information about throat lozenges you should know before you pop one. Also, here are some natural remedies for frequent cough and cold you can try.
How do throat lozenges work? Throat lozenges are medicated tablets that you can easily buy over-the-counter. These tablets are to be dissolved in the mouth slowly to lubricate the throat linings and suppress irritation. Sucking a lozenge dissolves the ingredients present in them. These ingredients stimulate the salivary gland to produce saliva. Saliva mixed with the lozenge ingredients coat the throat lining to reduce dryness and itchiness. However, different ingredients in a lozenge may have a different effect on the throat.
Lozenges containing natural ingredients: A few brands of throat lozenges contain natural ingredients like menthol, eucalyptus oil, pudina, peppermint oil, honey, ginger and lemon. These lozenges can be taken without prescription. However, you must follow the instructions printed on the packet before consuming them. Usually, these lozenges containing natural ingredients are to be consumed every three hours.
Menthol: If you’re also suffering from cold and congestion, you can seek relief by using a menthol lozenge. It acts as a nasal and chest decongestant, offering instant relief. Also, it offers a cooling sensation by triggering cold-sensitive receptors in the throat. The most popular brand of lozenge containing menthol is Vicks. But, recently all other brands including Strepsils, Cofsils and Honitus are available in menthol flavour.
Eucalyptus oil: It is obtained from the leaves of Eucalyptus and is widely used as a natural remedy for treating cough and cold. It acts as a decongestant and also relieves cold symptoms. Dabour Honitus offers lozenges with camphor and mentha oil apart from Eucalyptus oil.
Honey, lemon and ginger: A coating of honey, lemon or ginger can soothe throat inflammation and help those suffering from persistent cough along with a sore throat. Dabour Honitus, Strepsils and Himalaya’s Koflet H-lozenges are available in all these flavours.
Medicated lozenge tablets can be categorised as pharmaceutical, antitussives and antibacterial.
Pharmaceutical lozenges for instant relief: They contain local anasthetics and anti-inflammatory painkillers. The anasthetics induce a feeling of numbness in the throat while NSAIDs reduce pain and swelling. These type of medicated lozenges will be effective if you’re seeking temporary and instant relief from a sore throat. Unlike lozenges containing natural ingredients, these lozenges can cause certain side-effects and should not be used:
- If you’re suffering from asthma and allergies
- If you’re allergic to painkillers. Allergic reaction includes skin rashes, swelling and difficulty in swallowing.
- If you’re taking medication for heart disease
- Pregnant and breast feeding women should consult a doctor before taking them.
- Anasthetics and anti-inflammatory lozenges should not be taken with hot water as it may give rise to heat sensation and mild pain in the throat.
Antibacterial lozenges – for bacterial infection, available only with a doctor’s prescription. Antitussive lozenges: Antitussives or cough suppressants, like dextromethorphan, are commonly found in lozenges that are intended to provide relief from a dry cough. These agents suppress cough reflex by acting on nerve endings that stimulate the brain to trigger persistent cough action. So, if your sore throat is associated with dry cough, you can benefit from lozenges containing cough suppressants. Here are 9 causes of cough you should know Identify your symptoms and pop a lozenge with the right composition for instant relief. You can also try these tips to relieve a sore throat.
Source: The Health Site
Published: 02 Nov 2014
