Content

• Steps

Singers, broadcasters, actors, and anyone who uses their voice as a tool understand the importance of having a clear throat. This helps clear up mucus in the throat, thereby delivering a strong and toned voice. If your throat is congested, there are many over-the-counter products and home remedies that can help clear your throat.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Try home remedies

1. 

   Add enough water. If there is a lot of mucus in the throat, hydration may help. The fluid helps to soften mucus so it is easier to push it out of the body.
   • Try to drink about 8 glasses of water a day. If you have a sore throat, increase the amount of fluids you need to drink. Sparkling mineral water can help with itchy throat.
   • Try to stay away from fruit juices and soda. The added sugar can irritate the throat further. If you want to drink something other than water, choose a sports drink or freshly pressed juices that contain only natural sugars.
   • Many believe that dairy and dairy products can increase the production of phlegm, but there is no scientific evidence to support this. Milk and dairy products can make phlegm thicken and irritate the throat more. However, frozen dairy can soothe your throat and is a good source of calories when you can't eat due to difficulty swallowing.
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Try honey and lemon. Lemon and honey both help soothe the throat. Try squeezing lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey in a cup of cool water or tea. This not only helps clear phlegm, but also soothes pain or irritation.

1. 

   Eat spicy foods. Spicy foods can sometimes help loosen phlegm. This way, you can easily expel the phlegm through blowing your nose, coughing, and sneezing. Chili, pepper, mustard, horseradish and other spicy foods can help clear your throat.

2. 

   
   
   Drink herbal tea. Some people find herbal teas can help soothe a sore throat. You can try a variety of teas and see if it helps soothe your throat.
   • Chamomile, ginger, and lemon teas are the most popular teas that are thought to help with throat congestion.
   • Some people find green tea soothes the throat. Try adding honey or lemon to green tea for added effect.

3. 

   
   
   Choose foods that are good for your throat. Some foods are good for your voice and help clear your throat. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables contain vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C that can help clear up mucus in the throat. If you have a sore throat or a sore throat, try eating soft foods until the irritation goes away. advertisement

Part 2 of 3: Using over-the-counter products

1. 

   Take a mucus thinner. Mucus thinners like Guaifenesin (Mucinex) can help reduce phlegm that causes coughing and throat irritation. If you want to clear your throat, you should buy these at a pharmacy. Take the medicine according to the instructions on the package. If you are concerned about an over-the-counter drug interacting with prescription drugs, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

2. 

   Use a saline nasal spray. You can buy saline nasal sprays and drops over-the-counter at pharmacies. These products are usually relatively effective at clearing phlegm and other irritants that irritate the throat.
   • Use the spray or drops according to the directions on the bottle. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
   • If you use a nasal wash to spray water into your nose, always use sterile water. Microorganisms in tap water can enter the brain through the nose, causing health problems and even death.

3. 

   Try an over-the-counter pain reliever if you have a sore throat. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help relieve sore throats. Medications can relieve symptoms such as coughing and wheezing - symptoms that make throat congestion worse. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about taking medicine. advertisement

Part 3 of 3: Lifestyle changes

1. Quit smoking. If you smoke, you should try to quit. Smoking is harmful to overall health. Smoking makes you more likely to get throat infections like bronchitis and strep throat. Smoking can also damage the throat and vocal cords, leading to a discomfort and congestion. Talk to your doctor about how to quit smoking.
   • Smoking also exposes you to carcinogens, which can lead to cancer.

2. 

   Buy a humidifier. Sometimes, a dry environment can irritate the throat. Consider buying a humidifier if you live in a dry climate. Using a humidifier all day or overnight can help increase the humidity in your home, thereby reducing irritation in your throat.

3. 

   Avoid harsh voices. If you experience frequent throat irritation, you should review how you speak. Fluttering of the voice can cause a sore throat, leading to an accumulation of phlegm.
   • If you have throat irritation, avoid coughing. Coughing too much can actually make the infection worse. If necessary, take an over-the-counter cough suppressant or lozenge to relieve irritation that causes coughing.
   • Avoid screaming, yelling or shouting. If you work in an area where you need to speak loudly, try to rest your throat at the end of the day. Speak softly and try not to raise your voice.

4. 

   Don't clean your throat too often. Coughing, wheezing, or in other words, trying to clear the throat sometimes helps only temporarily. Performing these behaviors too often while having a sore throat can cause irritation and potentially prolongs symptoms. If you want to clear your throat, consider buying over-the-counter cough syrups or lozenges from a pharmacy for a little relief.

5. 

   Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine can both increase the risk of dehydration, resulting in a dry and irritated throat. Try to avoid drinking too many caffeinated drinks or alcohol. For men, limit alcohol consumption to 2 drinks per night. For women, limit it to about 1 drink.

6. 

   Seek medical help. A sore or congested throat is usually not a problem and will go away on its own. However, if a congestion persists for more than 2 weeks, you should see your doctor to screen for potential health problems.
   • Remember that a sore throat and congestion are two different symptoms that can be worse separately. Congestion is a swelling in the nose and sinuses that increases a feeling of stuffiness, while a sore throat is pain in the throat area. Post nasal discharge and coughing can make a sore throat worse.
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