Preventing throat infection, cough/cold in North Indian conditions

I used to get frequent throat infection, till I finally got the right advice. Sharing the same here…

First let’s understand the beast.

Why does throat infection/cold happen during weather change or winters ?

1. The quantity of the virus matter. In cold/dry air its easier for the virus to go farther. In short, you are exposed to more of these pathogens
2. Dryness causes reduced mucus production, thicker mucus. So more pathogens can enter your body.
3. Cold weather, dryness impact the immune system negatively. Ex: Reduced blood flow reduces immune system response.
4. Low sun exposure -> low vitamin D

What happens in a throat infection exactly ?

I am no specialist, so take everything with spoonfull of salt

The itchy/scratchy/painful feeling at the back of throat is ‘inflammation’. It happens due to:

1. Infection: viral or bacterial
2. Irritation: Could be several reasons, such as indigetsion causing stomach acid to irritate the throat (acidity). It weakens the immune system, which can lead to throat infection

To protect itself, the body will now produce lots of ugly, icky mucus. Your body isn’t perfect and doesn’t really know when to stop… So if you have too much of it, it means the immune system is trying really hard.

Prevention

Go to an ENT (ear nose specialist)

If you are having frequent throat infections, go to someone who specializes in this. An ENT.

Find the root cause of your problem, don’t just chase medicine

In my case, the root cause was indigestion -> this caused bile buildup -> irritated and inflamed the throat.
At this point it wasn’t a throat infection. But it weakened my immune system making me suscepetible to viral/bacterial throat infection.

Keep your body ready

Observe, if you feel any dryness ? If your throat is getting dry.
When the season is about the change doing the following should help.

1. Drink more fluids, humidify the air. Humidifying is more helpful than you realize.
2. Make that immune system stronger. Take supplements - vitamin D, vitamin C. Daily 500mg vitamin C should be okay.
3. Occasional gargles. But do them properly. See below.
4. Explore ayurveda. ashwagandha, ginger, tulsi, bhrami.

Managing infection

1. keep sipping liquids. Luke warm. This is key. Don’t let your throat become dry.
2. Don’t let yourself become cold. The cold weakens the immunity. So if you have an infection or about to get one, make sure you are not getting cold !
3. Manage the inflammation. Take anti inflammation medicines, ask your chemist for this.
4. Rest
5. Ayurveda, home remedies for managing inflammation
6. Gargles. Doing gargles properly is the key ! several times a day.

Properly do gargles

1. luke warm water. Mild warm. It must NOT be too hot, or else it increases the inflamation
2. Salt or betadine. This apparently helps fight the infection. The exact quantity should not be too less or more. 1/4 spoon
3. Do it easy. Don’t force removal of mucus, otherwise it will irritate the throat more and cause more inflammation
4. Several times a day.

---