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Cold and Flu
Colds & Flu
Runny nose, sore throat, sneezing… sounds like a nasty cold coming on. Sooner or later, just about everyone will come down with a cold or a dose of flu. There are many remedies that claim to stop a cold dead in its track – but which ones actually work?
Coughing
It's one of the most common medical complaints, and each year many thousands of people - up to 10% of the population by some estimates - seeks their doctor's help for it. Often, however, using one or two natural treatments may be all that's necessary to relieve a troublesome cough.
What is it?
Despite its seemingly unhealthy sounds, a cough is a vital bodily function. Even though you may not realise it, you probably cough once or twice every hour to clear your throat and air passages of debris. Coughing causes trouble only when an environmental substance or an illness makes you hack uncontrollably. Coughs can be dry and nonproductive, meaning that they bring up no fluids or sputum; or they can be wet and productive, expelling mucus and the germs or irritants it contains.
Laryngitis
Some of us will know the familiar symptoms of a sore throat, croaky voice and raspy speech. But not many of us know what it is caused by, and what natural therapies can help ease this annoying ailment.
What is it?
Laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box (larynx) due to overuse, irritation or infection. The larynx is a framework of cartilage, muscles and mucous membranes that forms the entrance of your windpipe (trachea). Inside the larynx are your vocal cords — two folds of mucous membrane covering muscle and cartilage.
Tonsillitis
Open your mouth wide in front of a mirror. Do you see your tonsils? They're located on each side of your throat, just behind and above your tongue. Years ago, many young children had their tonsils removed. In fact, surgery was once the standard treatment for recurrent tonsillitis — inflammation of the tonsils caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
What is it?
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils caused by an infection. In tonsillitis, the tonsils are enlarged, red, and often coated (either partly or entirely) by a substance that is yellow, gray, or white. Tonsillitis usually occurs as part of a pharyngitis (throat infection). Tonsillitis usually begins with sudden sore throat and painful swallowing. Sometimes, tonsillitis reoccurs, and may cause difficulty breathing. If this occurs, your doctor may recommend taking them out. This procedure of removing tonsils from the throat is called a tonsillectomy.
