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.

When John Cena started noticing blurry vision, he assumed it was simply part of getting older. But the worsening eyesight was also accompanied by redness, itchiness and crusting around his eyes.

“I had a lot of redness and itchiness, and every once in a while, waking up with eye crusties and stuff. At the same time, given my age — I'm 49 now — my vision was going a little bit, so I just figured it was par for the course. But because my vision was going, I needed to see if I needed glasses or prescriptions.”

Until then, Cena had delayed getting his eyes checked. He believed that the symptoms were caused by bright lights, excessive screen time or ageing.

However, an eye examination gave him a surprise. Cena learned that his symptoms were caused by Demodex blepharitis, a condition he says he had never heard of.

“Diagnosed with Demodex blepharitis, which I didn't even know existed.”

What Are Demodex Mites?

Also read: Study Decodes Why COVID Survivors Continue To Suffer Vision Problems

Demodex mites are tiny, eight-legged organisms that live naturally on human skin, particularly around hair follicles. Measuring just 0.15 to 0.4 millimeters, they are invisible to the naked eye but are present on the skin of almost every adult.

These microscopic mites feed on sebum (the skin's natural oil) and dead skin cells, helping remove accumulated debris under normal conditions.

How Do Demodex Mites Work?

Demodex mites are most active at night. They emerge from hair follicles after sunset because ultraviolet (UV) light is harmful to them. While people sleep, the mites feed, crawl and reproduce on the skin's surface.

They are also believed to be stimulated by melatonin, the hormone that helps regulate sleep, creating a unique relationship between humans and these naturally occurring organisms.

When Can Demodex Mites Become A Problem?

Although harmless in small numbers, Demodex mites can cause problems if they multiply excessively—a condition known as demodicosis.

According to Dr. Richard Locksley, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, an overgrowth of Demodex mites can contribute to:

• Rosacea
• Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)
• Acne-like breakouts
• Itchy, inflamed skin

Read More: Wegovy More Likely To Cause Rare Blindness Than Ozempic And Other Similar Drugs, Recent Study Finds

People with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable because their bodies may be less able to control mite populations. In addition, inadequate sleep may increase oil production, providing more nourishment for the mites.

Should You Be Worried?

For most healthy people, Demodex mites are a normal part of the skin microbiome and are not considered harmful. Problems generally arise only when their numbers increase significantly.

To help reduce the risk of overgrowth:

• Wash your face every night with a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser to remove excess oil and debris.
• Remove eye makeup and false eyelashes before bed, as these can encourage mite buildup.
• Get adequate sleep, since poor sleep may increase sebum production.
• Consult a dermatologist if you experience persistent redness, itching or inflammation around the eyes or skin.

Common Sports Injuries and How to Prevent Them by Dr Sumit Batra. Whether you're training for a marathon, playing pickleball with friends, or simply trying to stay fit at the gym, being active is one of the best things you can do for your health. But every sport is unique and places different demands on your body. Without the right preparation, even a fun weekend workout can leave you with an injury that keeps you on the sidelines. Often, I see people whose injuries could have been avoided by warming up properly, increasing their training slowly, and paying attention to pain. Many think the pain will go away on its own, but getting it checked early can help prevent bigger problems.

Several types of common sports injuries show up suddenly, while others build up over time. Ankle sprains are among the most common. They usually happen when the foot rolls awkwardly during running, jumping, or changing direction quickly. Simultaneously, Knee injuries are another common problem, especially in sports that involve sudden stops, pivots, or jumps, so the ligaments, cartilage, or tendons around the knee can be affected, making movement painful and unstable.

Muscle strains in the hamstrings and calves often occur when muscles are pushed harder than they're ready for. Skipping a warm-up or increasing the intensity of your workouts too quickly can raise the risk.

Athletes who play cricket, tennis, or volleyball, or who spend long hours swimming, may also develop shoulder pain due to repeated overhead movements. And then there are overuse injuries like tennis elbow, shin splints, and Achilles tendinitis, which develop slowly after repeated stress without enough recovery.

How to Reduce Your Risk

The good news is that most sports injuries can be prevented. Start every workout with a proper warm-up. Just five to ten minutes of light movement and stretching can help prepare your muscles and joints for exercise.

Strength training is equally important. Strong muscles support your joints, improve balance, and help your body absorb the impact of running, jumping, and lifting.

It's also important not to rush your progress. Whether you're preparing for a race or trying heavier weights, increasing the intensity little by little gives your body time to adapt safely.

Recovery deserves just as much attention as training. Good sleep, proper hydration, balanced meals, rest days, and well-fitting sports shoes all play a role in keeping injuries away.

Listen to What Your Body Is Telling You

Always listen to your body—it often gives warning signs before it's too late. Feeling sore after a challenging workout is completely normal. But pain that doesn't improve, swelling, difficulty putting weight on a limb, or restricted movement shouldn't be ignored. Getting the injury checked early often means a quicker recovery and lowers the chances of long-term problems. Sports injuries can happen to anyone, whether you are a seasoned athlete or someone who enjoys staying active on weekends. A little preparation, sensible training, and adequate recovery can go a long way in preventing them. And if something doesn't feel right, don't wait for it to get worse. Early care can make all the difference in getting you back to doing what you love.

Dr. Sumit Batra, Consultant Orthopaedic & Spine Surgeon at PB Health

Gone are the days when constipation was considered a problem only among older adults. Today, an increasing number of young professionals are experiencing irregular bowel movements, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and a constant feeling of incomplete evacuation. The fast-paced corporate lifestyle, long working hours, unhealthy eating habits, and chronic stress have made constipation a common digestive concern among people in their 20s and 30s.

One of the biggest contributors is a sedentary lifestyle. Many professionals spend eight to ten hours sitting at a desk, with little time for physical activity. Regular movement helps stimulate bowel function, and a lack of it can slow down digestion. Another common cause is poor dietary habits. Skipping breakfast, relying on processed or fast foods, and consuming inadequate amounts of fibre can significantly affect bowel health.

Hydration also plays a vital role. Busy schedules often lead people to consume more coffee or tea while neglecting water intake. Dehydration makes stools harder and more difficult to pass, increasing the risk of constipation. Stress is another major factor. Deadlines, work pressure, and poor sleep can disrupt the communication between the brain and the gut, affecting normal bowel movements. Ignoring the natural urge to pass stools due to meetings or travel can further worsen the condition over time.

The good news is that constipation can often be managed through simple lifestyle changes. A balanced diet rich in fibre from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts helps add bulk to stools and promotes regular bowel movements. Drinking at least two to three litres of water daily keeps stools soft and easier to pass.

Regular physical activity is equally important. Even a brisk 30-minute walk, stretching during work breaks, or choosing stairs over elevators can improve gut motility. Maintaining a consistent toilet routine, preferably after breakfast, and responding promptly to the body's natural urge can also help establish healthy bowel habits.

Stress management should not be overlooked. Practising yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply ensuring adequate sleep can positively influence digestive health. Limiting excessive consumption of processed foods and caffeinated beverages can also reduce the risk of constipation.

While occasional constipation is usually not a cause for concern, persistent symptoms lasting more than three weeks, severe abdominal pain, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, or constipation alternating with diarrhoea should never be ignored. These could indicate an underlying medical condition that requires evaluation by a gastroenterologist.

Healthy digestion is closely linked to overall well-being and productivity. By adopting healthier daily habits and paying attention to digestive health, young professionals can prevent constipation, improve their quality of life, and maintain better physical and mental performance at work.

By Dr. Pradeepta Kumar Sethy, Director, Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital, EM Bypass & Mukundupur