SORE THROAT REMEDIES

It's itchy, It's tender and It is most definitely swollen. You dread breathing, you dread swallowing even more. But you must swallow, and when you do, you brace yourself for the unavoidable pain. You've got THE SORE THROAT!
But what exactly is this sore throat? It's an inflammation of the pharynx, which is the tube that extends from the back of the mouth to the esophagus. A sore throat can be caused by;
1. Viral infections, like colds or the flu. Often accompanied by fever, achy muscles and runny nose. A sore throat from a viral source will generally disappear on its own within several days.
2. Bacterial infection, especially from streptococcal bacteria (strep throat). This might require an antibiotic.
While those are the primary reasons for a sore throat, there are others, including: Smoking, Acid reflux, Allergies, Dry air, especially at night when you may sleep with your mouth open, Mouth breathing and Throat abuse: singing, shouting, coughing and the like.
There should be a sore throat sufferers club; everybody gets them, in fact 40 million people trek to the doctor's office for treatment every year. But not every sore throat deserves a visit to the doctor, here's remedies to help soothe that pestilence;
Rest and take it easy. Common sense dictates staying in bed or at least resting when a sore throat's got you down. Taking it easy leaves more energy to fight the infection.
Gargle with turmeric. Try this gargle to calm a cranky throat. Mix together 1 cup hot water, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Gargle with the mixture twice a day. If you're not good with the gargle, mix 1/2 teaspoon turmeric in 1 cup hot milk and drink.
Gargle with warm saltwater. Make a saline solution by adding 1/2 teaspoon salt to 1/2 cup of very warm water and gargle every three to four hours.Yes, when your mother told you to gargle with saltwater, she knew what she was talking about. It cuts phlegm and reduces inflammation.
Gargle with Listerine. Another good gargling fluid is Listerine mouthwash. If you share the product with anyone else in your household, don't drink straight from the bottle; instead, pour a small amount into a cup (and don't share that, either).
Sip chicken noodle soup or  broth.
I myself use warm tea with lemon juice, ginger and honey, apparently it has also been a long-standing and comforting remedy.


Now stop pouting and get rid of that sore throat today!!!

TROUBLE WITH WEIGHT GAIN?

Most of us are engaged in a constant battle against weight and the idea of wanting to gain weight seems absurd! "Who, what, why would anyone want to bulge up??!!!" many ask.
Its not absurd for people trying to put on a few pounds and it definitely isn't something to be jealous of.
For people who struggle to maintain a healthy weight or are trying to gain weight, it can be a real challenge.  The common reasons for needing to gain weight include health issues, lack of appetite, for sporting purposes, muscle building or just trying to overcome skinny genes.
Much as being being skinny naturally is not a real health problem, being underweight (weight as compared to height) can compromise your health. However, if you want or need to gain weight, do it the healthy way - which does not mean You stuff your face at the all-you-can-eat buffet.
For sustainable weight gain, a gradual increase of 500 kcals/day resulting in 0.5kg weight gain per week is advised. Foods rich in carbohydrates like cereals, bread and pasta should be incorporated in your daily diet as these provide you with the energy for your body. Do not neglect the proteins like pulses and nuts and
also the fats.
Here are some healthy ways to gain weight when you're underweight:

• Eat more frequently. When you're underweight, you may feel full faster. Eat five to six smaller meals during the day rather than two or three large meals.
• Choose nutrient-rich foods. As part of an overall healthy diet, choose whole-grain breads, chapattis, pastas (macaroni, spaghetti) and cereals (maize, breakfast cereals, posho, kalo); fruits and vegetables; dairy products (milk, yoghurt); protein sources (meat, fish, chicken); and nuts (ground nuts) and pulses (beans, peas).
• High calorie foods. Foods highest in calories and nutrients are those high in fat.. Plant fats from nuts, peanuts, seeds, peanut butter, almond butter, avocados, hummus and oils are great sources of healthy fats loaded with nutrients and calories.
• Try smoothies and shakes. Don't fill up on soda, coffee and other drinks with few calories and little nutritional value. Instead, drink smoothies, yoghurt and porridge with milk.   
• And most importantly: Drink fluids either 30 minutes before or after a meal, not with it, to avoid becoming full before you eat.                                                                                                       HEALTHY LIVING WITH THE DIET ASSISTANT!