Which Lozenge Is Most Effective for Sore Throat?

Update Date: 2024-05-24 Source: Network

There are many throat lozenges available for treating sore throat, and it is difficult to determine which one is most effective. If the patient's sore throat is not severe, the effects of different lozenges are generally similar. It is recommended to choose lozenges with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, throat-clearing, and throat-lubricating properties. However, if the patient's sore throat is very severe, with symptoms such as pharyngeal congestion, local abscess formation, and fever, the effect of any lozenge may be limited. In such cases, it is necessary to undergo systemic anti-inflammatory treatment, combined with nebulization, throat examination, and oral medication to alleviate the symptoms. Solely relying on lozenges may delay the treatment.

Sore throat is actually a manifestation of pharyngitis, which can be acute or chronic. Acute pharyngitis is characterized by throat pain, dysphagia, fever, and systemic symptoms. The fastest way to treat acute pharyngitis is with antibiotics, either orally or intravenously. It is important to promptly conduct blood tests to check white blood cell counts. If the white blood cell count is not elevated but the lymphocyte count is increased, it may indicate a viral infection rather than a bacterial infection. In this case, the treatment should be adjusted accordingly to include antiviral medication. At the same time, local treatment can be performed to quickly alleviate symptoms such as fever and throat pain.

Chronic pharyngitis is less severe in terms of throat pain, often manifesting as a dull discomfort, foreign body sensation, dryness, and a burning sensation in the throat. The causes of chronic pharyngitis can vary, including the consumption of spicy food, alcohol, smoking, exposure to irritating odors or harmful dust. It is crucial to identify and eliminate the cause promptly to effectively alleviate the symptoms. Once symptoms appear, local treatment options such as topical steroid nebulization can provide rapid relief. In addition, spray treatment, lozenge administration, or gargling can be used to alleviate symptoms such as throat pain, foreign body sensation, burning sensation, throat itchiness, and cough associated with chronic pharyngitis.