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One of the commonest causes of illness, a sore throat often clears up on its own, but knowing what's causing it is important to treat it properly. Viral, bacterial, or caused by allergic elements - these kinds of sore throats have different characteristics that need different responses.
Sore throats have several origins, including infection and environmental factors. Some common causes include:
Viral infections: Viruses cause 90% of sore throat cases. Sore throats may result due to flu or common cold as well as those from chickenpox and measles that can all cause irritation.
Bacterial Infections: Streptococcus bacteria, the most common cause of strep throat, is the most common bacterial source. Strep throat is contagious and can lead to complications if untreated.
Allergies: Pollen, pet dander, and mold can trigger throat irritation, often accompanied by postnasal drip, sneezing, and watery eyes.
Environmental Factors: Dry air, pollution, and smoke can dry out or irritate the throat, creating a scratchy sensation.
Other Causes: GERD, vocal strain, even tumors may be responsible for chronic sore throats.
Determining your cause of sore throat requires analysis of symptoms that accompany it, how long the sore throat lasts, and how bad the sore throat is.
The viruses that cause a sore throat are usually similar to a cold in their symptoms and tend to be milder than bacterial infections.
- Red, swollen throat without white patches
- Persistent cough
- Runny nose and nasal congestion
- Fever, usually mild
Duration: Viral infections last for 7–10 days without antibiotics.
Treatment: Home remedies, such as warm fluids, saltwater gargling, and over-the-counter pain relievers can help alleviate it.
Also Read: Flu Season Grips 40 States In US, CDC Reports Alarming Numbers
Bacterial sore throats, mainly strep throat, are more severe and require prompt medical attention to prevent complications.
- Red and swollen tonsils with white patches or streaks of pus
- High fever
- Absence of a cough
- Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain (especially in children)
- Small red spots on the roof of the mouth
Diagnosis: Rapid strep tests or throat cultures confirm the presence of bacteria.
Treatment: Antibiotics are necessary to eliminate the infection. Without treatment, complications like rheumatic fever or abscesses can develop.
Throat irritation is caused by postnasal drip. Allergies create a buildup and drip of mucus down the back of the throat.
- Irritation of the throat and ears
- Runny eyes, sneezing, and nasal congestion
- These symptoms are usually relieved by antihistamines or removal from the source of the allergen
Duration: Allergic sore throats are sustained for as long as the allergens are exposed.
A sore throat should be taken to a doctor if:
- The condition lasts more than a week.
- There is shortness of breath or swallowing becomes painful.
- Swelling is too pronounced or the pain in the throat is extreme.
- High fever, rash, or joint pain occur along with the sore throat.
- A child shows signs of dehydration or refuses fluids due to throat pain.
Early diagnosis can prevent complications and speed recovery.
Viral infections and allergies often respond well to non-invasive treatments:
Let your body rest sufficiently. Humidifying dry air will help keep the throat moist, especially when winter is on its way.
Bacterial infections require antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin. Finish the treatment completely to avoid reoccurrence or resistance.
Prevention is better than cure, and simple lifestyle changes can reduce your risk:
Understanding the cause of your sore throat—whether viral, bacterial, or allergic—is key to effective treatment and recovery. While many sore throats resolve on their own, seeking timely medical advice for persistent or severe symptoms can prevent complications. Prioritize self-care, and don’t hesitate to consult a doctor when needed. Remember, your throat’s health is a vital part of your overall well-being.
Knee pain is becoming a common concern among people across age groups. (Photo credit: AI generated)
India has a physical inactivity problem that is contributing to a growing burden of joint and musculoskeletal disorders among its working-age population. Close to half of Indian adults were insufficiently active in 2022, according to a Lancet study, and among women, that figure climbed to 57%. Behind those numbers is a generation whose muscles have quietly stopped supporting their joints and whose weight has quietly started punishing them for it.
In an interview with Health and Me, Dr Deepak Gautam, Sr. Consultant Orthopaedic & Robotic Joint Replacement Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, explained how a patient's knees can start ageing faster than their actual biological age.
Young Indians broadly assume joint problems are inherited with age. Clinical practice keeps demonstrating that they are earned much earlier, through years of small daily choices that never feel consequential until they are. The best time to address this is before a patient ever needs to describe where it hurts.
The knee absorbs roughly four times a person's body weight with every step. Add excess weight over several years, and that force erodes cartilage far ahead of schedule. Obesity also drives systemic inflammation through the release of molecules from fat tissue, which attack joint cells independently of any mechanical load. Patients frequently describe their pain as having an insidious onset and, at times, being sudden. Clinically, joint degeneration develops gradually over many years before symptoms become apparent.
Read more: Feeling Weak In Your Knees? Here Are Tips To Maintain Them As You Age
Muscle weakness makes that threshold arrive sooner. The quadriceps and core do the work of absorbing shock and stabilising the joint under load. Sedentary work strips that capacity away gradually, and screen time beyond three hours a day has been directly linked to weight gain and metabolic deterioration. For a large portion of India's urban workforce, three hours of daily screen exposure is where the morning starts.
None of this stays contained to the joints. Around one in five Indian adults is already managing several chronic conditions at once, and 45.4% of Indians with coronary heart disease remain physically inactive. Musculoskeletal decline and cardiovascular disease tend to share the same lifestyle roots and reinforce each other. Globally, inactivity rates are still climbing and are expected to reach 35% by 2030, up from 31% in 2022.
Once cartilage degeneration starts, it is very difficult to reverse the process. We can, however, retard the progression of the disease or prevent it from occurring in the first place. That single fact should change how people think about when to seek help. By the time climbing stairs or a regular walk in the market or garden becomes painful, the window for conservative management has already narrowed.
Waiting for symptoms is the wrong strategy. People with sedentary work patterns, weight above the healthy range, or significant screen exposure should have their joint mobility, gait, and muscle strength assessed before pain enters the picture at all. Resistance training twice a week, clinician-guided weight management, and dietary changes that dial down chronic inflammation are not complicated prescriptions. They are what separates someone who stays mobile in their forties from someone who is discussing surgical options.
Extreme heat can lead to a great deal of discomfort, even dehydration. (Photo credit: AI generated)
Many couples are battling infertility and are keen on opting for ARTs to conceive and fulfill the dream of parenthood. However, the country continues reeling under severe heatwave conditions. Currently, a large number of couples who are planning fertility treatments are becoming stressed regarding how heatwaves can impact IVF procedures and even the success rates. Patients frequently ask fertility consultants whether extreme outdoor heat can affect the IVF laboratory environment, embryos, sperm samples, or even egg quality. However, there is no need to panic, as labs are designed to function even under highly controlled conditions throughout the year, and it is possible for couples to conceive successfully.
In an interaction with Health and Me, Dr. Aswati Nair, Fertility Specialist, Nova IVF Fertility, Rajouri Garden, Delhi, spoke about how extreme temperatures can affect the IVF process and what the consequent impact is on the outcome.
Read more: Heatwaves And Toxic Air Create A Growing Health Crisis In Delhi
Usually, all the IVF labs have Air Handling Units (AHUs), which maintain the internal condition of the lab throughout the year at the same condition and temperature, and all the parameters are maintained throughout the year with the help of this equipment and gadgets. So, the internal environment of the lab does not get affected by an external heatwave. Understand that the temperature-sensitive procedures that are carried out inside the IVF lab, such as handling eggs, sperm, and embryos, are performed in a controlled setting and are monitored constantly. Hence, external heatwaves do not directly impact the IVF lab environment or the development of embryos. But only from the patient's perspective; they need to be hydrated and careful when there is scorching heat outside.
Too much heat can lead to dehydration, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, and stress, which can impact the patient’s health during fertility treatment. Women undergoing IVF cycles are put on hormonal medications, and staying hydrated is necessary for everyone. It is the need of the hour for the patients to take charge of their well-being right away!
Read more: Heatwave In India: Temperatures Continuously Rising; Stay Hydrated, Says PM Modi
The precautions that patients can take are to stay well-hydrated and adhere to a balanced diet with lots of fruits and seasonal fruits like watermelon and muskmelon, which can improve hydration. They can have coconut and lemon water and avoid beverages, carbonated drinks, caffeine, and alcohol. They can follow these crucial tips to stay healthy during the heatwave. Patients should be sure to follow the guidelines given by the fertility consultant.
Even if the heatwaves can lead to discomfort, it doesn’t affect the functioning of modern IVF laboratories. By paying attention to various factors such as hydration, nutrition, and self-care, patients can safely continue their fertility journey even if there is extreme heat outside.
Credit: iStock
Mrs. Radha Sharma, 78, was brought to the hospital with sudden confusion, irritability, and restlessness. She had no fever, no pain, and no typical urinary complaints. Her family worried it could be dementia or a brain-related issue. However, a simple urine test revealed the real cause— a urinary tract infection (UTI). With timely treatment, fluids, and care, she recovered within a few days. This is a common but often overlooked reality—UTIs in older adults don’t always look like UTIs.
In another case, 72-year-old Mr. Pankaj Verma had repeated UTIs over a year. Each time, antibiotics provided temporary relief, but the infection kept returning. On further testing, doctors found an enlarged prostate that was preventing his bladder from emptying fully. Once this was treated, his infections reduced significantly.
These examples show an important pattern: in the elderly, UTIs are often missed, misunderstood, or keep recurring because the root cause is not addressed.
As we age, the body goes through changes that make infections like UTIs more likely. In women, menopause leads to a drop in estrogen levels. This weakens the natural lining of the urinary tract, making it easier for bacteria to grow. Women also have a shorter urinary passage, so that bacteria can reach the bladder more easily.
In men, an enlarged prostate is a common issue. It can block the flow of urine, causing some urine to remain in the bladder. This leftover urine becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Other common reasons include weaker immunity, conditions like diabetes, urinary incontinence, use of catheters, reduced movement, and dependence on caregivers for hygiene.
Unlike younger people, elderly individuals may not complain of burning urine or urgency. Instead, the signs can be subtle and confusing, such as:
These symptoms are often mistaken for ageing or dementia, which can delay treatment.
UTIs are more common in older women due to hormonal changes and bladder control issues. Many women also experience repeat infections. In men, UTIs are less common but usually more serious. They are often linked to problems like prostate enlargement or urinary blockage, which need proper evaluation. Chronic illnesses play a big role. Diabetes, for example, increases the risk because excess sugar in urine helps bacteria grow. Poor sugar control also weakens the body’s ability to fight infections.
Conditions that affect bladder control, such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease, can also lead to incomplete emptying of the bladder, increasing infection risk.
Not every bacterium found in urine needs treatment. Many older adults have bacteria in their urine without symptoms—a condition called asymptomatic bacteriuria. Treating this unnecessarily can lead to antibiotic resistance. Doctors usually rely on urine tests, cultures, symptoms, and medical history before deciding on treatment.
While antibiotics are important, they are only one part of the solution. Repeated courses without finding the cause often lead to recurring infections.
Treatment should also focus on:
Early treatment is crucial. Ignoring symptoms can allow the infection to spread to the kidneys, which can be serious. Recurrent UTIs are common in the elderly. This can happen due to:
Preventing UTIs doesn’t always require complex measures. Small daily habits can make a big difference:
Caregivers play a key role in ensuring these habits are followed, especially for elderly individuals who need assistance. Immediate medical attention is needed if there is:
UTIs in the elderly are common but often not straightforward. They may present differently, recur frequently, and require more than just antibiotics. The key is early recognition, identifying the underlying cause, and taking simple preventive steps. With the right care, recurrent UTIs can be reduced—helping older adults live healthier, more comfortable lives.
(By Dr. Sunita Goyal, Senior Consultant – Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Ludhiana)
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