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.

How to Distinguish Between Viral, Bacterial, and Allergic 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.

Viral Sore Throats

The viruses that cause a sore throat are usually similar to a cold in their symptoms and tend to be milder than bacterial infections.

Symptoms of Viral Sore Throat

- 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

Bacterial sore throats, mainly strep throat, are more severe and require prompt medical attention to prevent complications.

Symptoms of Bacterial Sore Throat

- 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.

Sore Throats Caused by Allergies

Throat irritation is caused by postnasal drip. Allergies create a buildup and drip of mucus down the back of the throat.

Allergic Sore Throat Symptoms

- 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.

When to Seek Medical Care?

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.

Effective Treatment for Sore Throats

Home Remedies for Viral and Allergy-Related Sore Throats

Viral infections and allergies often respond well to non-invasive treatments:

• Drink warm teas, broths, or water to soothe the throat.
• Gargling with warm, salty water can reduce inflammation.
• These help soothe an irritated throat and can alleviate coughing.

Let your body rest sufficiently. Humidifying dry air will help keep the throat moist, especially when winter is on its way.

Why Not All Sore Throats Require Antibiotics?

Bacterial infections require antibiotics such as penicillin or amoxicillin. Finish the treatment completely to avoid reoccurrence or resistance.

How to Keep Sore Throats at Bay When Winter Is Near

Prevention is better than cure, and simple lifestyle changes can reduce your risk:

• Wash your hands frequently to avoid infections.
• Avoid close contact with sick individuals.
• Use air purifiers to minimize exposure to irritants.
• Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet to boost immunity.

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.

A new study suggests that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, used mainly for weight loss and diabetes, might also lessen the effects of alcohol. While this could be disappointing for social drinkers, experts at Virginia Tech see it as a hopeful new way to help people who struggle with serious alcohol problems.

Alcohol addiction is one of the world’s biggest problems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 alone, approximately 2.6 million deaths worldwide were linked to drinking. While 1.6 million deaths were due to non-communicable diseases, the other 700,000 deaths were caused by injuries.

A massive number of people struggle with alcohol problems. An estimated 400 million people globally, about 7% of the world's population aged 15 and older, were living with alcohol use disorders (AUDs). A large portion of this group, 209 million people, or 3.7% of the adult population, had the more severe condition of alcohol dependence (or addiction).

The WHO explains that we have effective ways to control and reduce the harm caused by alcohol, and countries need to use these strategies more often. At the same time, it’s crucial for every person to know the dangers of drinking and take personal steps to protect themselves from their harmful effects. Could these weight loss drugs become one such viable ways to help bring alcohol addiction down?

How Does Weight Loss Medication Help Alcohol Cravings?

GLP-1 medicines work by copying a natural body hormone that manages your appetite and how you digest food. This makes people feel full longer and helps them eat less. For this small study, researchers tested 20 people who were overweight.

Half of them were already taking a regular dose of a GLP-1 drug. On the test day, everyone had an alcoholic drink after a snack. The researchers then watched them for an hour, checking their health and asking how they felt.

The key result was that the group on GLP-1 drugs felt less drunk, even though everyone had the same amount. Crucially, their blood alcohol level rose more slowly. Scientists think that because the drug slows down the body's processes, it slows down how fast the alcohol reaches the brain, which dulls the effects, or the "buzz."

This is important because slow-acting drugs are less likely to be abused. These promising results mean researchers want to run much bigger studies to confirm that GLP-1s can be a real treatment to help people drink less.

Benefits Of GLP-1 Medication

The ability of GLP-1 drugs to help with cravings doesn't stop at alcohol. People taking drugs like Ozempic have also reported having fewer cravings for nicotine, opioid drugs, and even less desire for impulse shopping. Other research has already shown this potential: Opioid users on GLP-1s had a 40% lower rate of overdoses in one study.

In a separate trial done by researchers from Loyola University Chicago, these medications were better than standard drugs for alcoholism at keeping patients out of the hospital for alcohol problems. Scientists believe this happens because GLP-1 drugs affect the brain's reward system (called the mesolimbic system), which controls addiction. They change the levels of a chemical called dopamine, which is central to how we feel pleasure and form habits.

When most people think of COVID today, they imagine a mild illness, like a cold, a few days of fever, a sore throat, or a cough, before recovery. But for many, the story does not end there. Long COVID, which the World Health Organization defines as symptoms lasting at least three months after infection, has become a lasting reality of the pandemic.

Most studies have focused on describing symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath. However, a recent study has shown that long COVID, especially in women, can trigger a chronic condition known as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).

What Is Long Covid?

Long COVID affects roughly 6% of people who had COVID, with over 200 symptoms recorded. For some, it lasts just a few months, while for “long haulers,” it can continue for years. Measuring the scale of the problem is difficult because symptoms differ widely from person to person. This has sparked debates over what long COVID truly is, what causes it, and even whether it is real.

However, as per Johns Hopkins Medicine, common symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, shortness of breath, headaches, and changes in smell or taste, and multiple organ systems can be affected.

New Study Says Long Covid Can Trigger This One Chronic Illness

A study from Sweden found that young women with symptomatic long COVID were at a higher risk of developing POTS, adding an extra burden, according to research from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Among a cohort of predominantly younger women with highly symptomatic post-COVID-19 sequelae (PCS), also called long COVID, there was a notable incidence of POTS. The research noted significantly lower physical activity and capacity in long COVID patients with POTS compared to those without it.

The study examined 467 non-hospitalized, highly symptomatic long COVID patients, 91% of whom were healthy, physically active women before their COVID infection. About 12 months after their initial COVID illness, patients underwent cardiologist evaluations including a 48-hour electrocardiogram, head-up tilt test, and Active Stand Test for those suspected of having POTS.

What Is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)?

POTS is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system in which the heart rate rises excessively when standing. This can lead to symptoms like lightheadedness, fatigue, and fainting. In POTS, blood vessels don’t constrict as they should, causing blood to pool in the lower body and reducing blood flow to the brain. The nervous system compensates by releasing hormones that sharply increase heart rate, producing various symptoms, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

COVID-19 and POTS: Is There A Link?

POTS can be triggered by various factors, including viral or bacterial infections. Researchers believe the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 may act as a trigger, as more people recovering from COVID are showing POTS-like symptoms such as brain fog, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), and severe chronic fatigue. The overlap in symptoms has prompted doctors to start testing patients for POTS.

Johns Hopkins explains that the autonomic nervous system controls functions we don’t consciously think about, like heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, and body temperature. Problems in these areas can cause symptoms that overlap with other conditions. Patients may have their POTS symptoms dismissed as lingering COVID effects or even psychological issues. Accurate diagnosis is critical, as POTS can be debilitating and requires targeted treatment.

How Can Volume Expansion Therapy Help With POTS?

The main goal of initial POTS treatment is to improve blood flow back to the heart, a strategy known as volume expansion therapy. This can include medication-based and non-medication approaches. Physical therapy also plays a key role in increasing blood volume over time. However, it often takes months before patients are able to respond enough to participate fully in physical therapy.

If you are experiencing COVID-like POTS symptoms, consult your healthcare professional for evaluation and guidance.

Diwali season is here, which brings with it the joy of celebrations, endless sweets, and festive food, all of which make this time of year so special. But to enjoy it fully without health worries, it is important to keep a check on your wellbeing with a few basic tests.

As the festivities begin, it is natural to get carried away with indulgent meals, late nights, and social gatherings. However, a few simple blood tests before Diwali can help you stay active, balanced, and ready to celebrate without any setbacks.

Why You Should Get Tested Before Diwali

Surrounded by all the happiness and excitement, many people tend to overlook their health during the festive season. This often leads to avoidable health issues that can interrupt the joy of celebrations and take away from the festive mood.

These problems usually stem from a few common habits that creep in during festivals, overeating, irregular sleep schedules, eating too many fried or sugary foods, skipping workouts, or changing usual meal times. They can also worsen any chronic health condition you already have.

You might now be wondering what these health problems are and whether they should be taken seriously. Mostly, they begin with stomach-related troubles that interfere with digestion, causing discomforts like acidity, gas, tiredness, constipation, diarrhoea, or irregular bowel movements. We got in touch with Dr Ranjeet Singh, Professor and HOD General Medicine- NIIMS Medical College And Hospital.

Do These Health Tests Before Diwali For A Festive Free Season

HbA1c and Blood Sugar Test

People living with diabetes should check their sugar levels before the festive season. An HbA1c test shows your average blood sugar over the last three months and helps your doctor adjust your diet or medicines accordingly. Even if you don’t have diabetes, a simple fasting or random blood sugar test can help you track early signs of imbalance, especially if you plan to indulge in sweets and rich foods.

Blood Pressure Check

Irregular blood pressure is common during festivals due to stress, erratic sleep, and heavy food intake. Both high and low BP can cause headaches, dizziness, or even heart complications. Checking your blood pressure and basic heart health markers before Diwali ensures you celebrate safely without fatigue or uneasiness.

Liver Function Test (LFT)

Festive feasts are often loaded with fried, oily, and sugary items that can strain your liver. The Liver Function Test helps assess how well your liver is processing toxins and nutrients. If you already have liver concerns or a history of fatty liver, this test becomes even more essential before you begin your festive indulgence.

Kidney Function Test (KFT)

The Kidney Function Test checks how efficiently your kidneys are filtering waste and maintaining fluid balance. Overeating, dehydration, or excess salt and sweets can put pressure on your kidneys. Getting this test done before the festivities helps detect any early signs of kidney stress or damage.

Thyroid Function Test

Thyroid hormones control your metabolism, mood, and energy levels but when they get imbalanced, they can lead to fatigue, mood swings, or sudden weight changes, issues that tend to worsen during the festive rush. A Thyroid Function Test ensures your hormone levels are stable, helping you feel active and positive throughout the season.

Lipid Profile (Cholesterol Test)

During Diwali, fried snacks and sweets can cause a spike in cholesterol levels. A Lipid Profile Test helps measure good and bad cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. If you get your Lipid profile done before Diwali, it can make you make better decisions when you are gorging on all the diwali sweets and make smarter food choices through the festive week.

To enjoy Diwali while reducing the risk of health problems, it’s a good idea to get these essential tests done in advance. Keeping your health in check will help you make the most of the celebrations without worry.

You can also encourage your family and friends to do the same. Remind them to take simple preventive steps and schedule their checkups so that everyone can enjoy a safe Diwali.