The Throat Doctor: Treating the Common Cold by Françoise P. Chagnon
/ December 1, 1997
Version française...
The Throat Doctor:
Treating the Common Cold
by Françoise P. Chagnon
Many home remedies can help alleviate the stuffy noses and
scratchy throats of the cold season. In the pre-antibiotic era,
doctors prescribed throat gargles (1/2 teaspoon each of table salt,
baking soda, honey or corn syrup in 8 ounces of warm water) to
soothe sore throats and promote mucus production. Lemon juice may be
substituted for the salt and baking soda. Gargling works by warming
and mechanically cleansing the throat and tonsils. For the dry,
irritated nose pharmacists can prepare the "A-G-S" solution: a
mixture of 3% alcohol, 6% glycerin, and salt in distilled water. Lie
supine on your bed with your head back and put half a dropperful of
the solution in each nostril every four hours. Don't use oily nasal
drops, since they interfere with normal mucus clearing.
Several throat sprays and lozenges soothe and anesthetize
inflamed throat tissue. Avoid using them prior to singing, however,
since altered biosensory feedback from the throat during singing can
lead to vocal damage, particularly in the novice singer. European
products like "Vocalzone" are also popular with singers. Other
measures to help cure respiratory ailments: drink at least one litre
of water per day, keep humidity above 40%, and get physical and
emotional rest. Since mild body temperature elevation may inhibit
viral replication, saunas, hot baths, showers, and steam inhalers
may help. Some reports suggest that zinc, vitamin C and echinacea
may also be therapeutic.
François P. Chagnon is the Director of the Voice Lab at the
Montreal General Hospital
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