If hoarseness or sore throat more liquid, fresh air and no talk

Little talk and a lot of fresh air - which really helps with hoarseness
The fall is usually also cold. After infection, sufferers suffer from numerous ailments such as cough, runny nose and hoarseness. Some then resort to medication, others prefer natural home remedies. What really helps?

Voice like a "detuned violin"
When it gets a bit cooler in the fall, the first ones usually come to school or to work with a scratchy voice and a sore throat. Above all, the hoarseness, which sets in with a cold, makes those concerned often to create.

The general practitioner Hans Michael Mühlenfeld said in a message from the news agency dpa: "One is hoarse when the vocal tract - the larynx - is irritated by inflammation." The larynx swells as a defense reaction against the virus infection. The vocal cords can thus no longer vibrate freely, and the voice sounds hoarse, explained Mühlenfeld, who is also chairman of the family doctors association Bremen. "That sounds like a detuned violin or guitar."

In hoarseness, save the voice and get out in the fresh air. (Picture: Picture-Factory / fotolia.com)

In the cold season you can catch a virus quickly
It is not so easy to prevent. According to Mühlendorf, the viruses are floating around in the air - and especially in the cold season, when you usually spend a lot of time indoors, you can easily catch a virus. He therefore recommends that you get as much fresh air as possible in autumn and winter and spend as little time as possible in buses, subways or trams. In addition, one should not negatively burden his body, for example by smoking. As a preventative measure, it is also always recommended to strengthen the immune system. Health experts advise too much sleep, a balanced vitamin-rich diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables and alcohol abstinence.

Definitely spare the vocal cords
But if it does catch you then, the most important thing is "to accept the signals of the body," says Mühlendorf. The family doctor recommends switching back on a gait and avoiding strenuous physical exertion. In addition, you should urgently save voice when hoarseness. "Speaking a little helps to enable the body to better manage the cure," said the expert. In most cases, the doctor advises against medication. Medicines suppress the disease signals of the body, the person feels healthy and therefore overexerts his body.

Inhale water vapor
There is a lot of natural that helps against colds. Among other things, various home remedies for hoarseness are available. Mühlendorf recommends, as an active remedy, to inhale water vapor, because the larynx needs heat and humidity. You can also add salt or sage in the water. Another option is to gargle with this water. Patients should always drink plenty of fluids because the larynx needs moisture. In addition to water, it is especially tea. However, "there is no panacea" (ad)