As the earth spins on its axis, producing night and day, it also moves about the sun in an elliptical (elongated circle) orbit that requires about 365 1/4 days to complete. The earth’s spin axis is tilted with respect to its orbital plane. This is what causes the seasons.

Seasons are caused by uneven heating of a planet’s surface due to a tilted axis as it revolves around the Sun. Mars’ axis is tilted (like Earth) and it does revolve around the Sun (like Earth), so it must have seasons.

The changes in seasons can trigger mood changes in some people with bipolar disorder. Spring and summer may trigger symptoms of mania or hypomania, while the onset of fall and winter can bring on symptoms of depression.

The change of seasons also means different pollens and other allergens tend to spike. And allergies can irritate your lungs and nasal passages leaving you more susceptible to cold or flu viruses — it’s essentially a one-two punch for ending up being sick when the seasons change.

5 Ways to Prevent Getting Sick as Weather Transitions

1. Wash Your Hands. You hear this all the time.
2. Gargle Water. One study showed that people who gargled plain water are less likely to contract an upper respiratory illness than those who do not gargle.
3. Get A Flu Vaccine.
4. Stay Active.
5. Sleep More.

Some of this may have to do with a few infectious organisms, like flu viruses, thriving in colder temperatures, but there’s also evidence that exposure to cold temperatures suppresses the immune system, so the opportunities for infection increase.

Cold air can dry out the tissue in the throat and can cause severe irritation. Symptoms can be made worse when breathing through the mouth rather than the nose. Because of this, it is common for people to have a sore throat from cold weather after exercising.

Sore throats, also known as pharyngitis, can be acute, lasting only a few days, or chronic, lingering on until their underlying cause is addressed. Most sore throats are the result of common viruses and resolve on their own within 3 to 10 days. Sore throats caused by a bacterial infection or allergies may last longer.

Most sore throats are caused by viruses, such as the cold or flu virus. Some of the more serious causes of sore throat include tonsillitis, strep throat, and mononucleosis (mono). Other causes include smoking, mouth breathing at night while you sleep, pollution, and allergies to pets, pollens and molds.

Give yourself some relief with an OTC sore throat medicine.

• Best Overall: Mucinex Maximum Strength.
• Best Natural: Rhinase Soothing Nasal Gel.
• Best Lozenges: Chloraseptic Max Sore Throat Lozenges.
• Best for Nighttime: Advil PM.
• Best Powder: Theraflu Flu & Sore Throat.
• Best for Kids: Children’s Tylenol Chewables.

Fortunately, you can use at-home remedies to soothe the pain and irritation.

• Honey. Honey mixed in tea or taken on its own is a common household remedy for a sore throat.
• Salt water.
• Chamomile tea.
• Peppermint.
• Baking soda gargle.
• Fenugreek.
• Marshmallow root.
• Licorice root.

However, citrus juices can make sore throats feel worse due to their acidity. This means they can irritate the already tender surface of the throat.

Although drinking milk may make phlegm thicker and more irritating to your throat than it would normally be, milk doesn’t cause your body to make more phlegm. In fact, frozen dairy products can soothe a sore throat and provide calories when you otherwise may not eat.

Some people have allergic reactions to grapes and grape products. Some other potential side effects include stomach upset, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, cough, dry mouth, and headache.

The Best Food And Drink For A Sore Throat

• Bananas – A soft fruit that will be easy on the throat and is healthy and filling too.
• Pomegranate Juice – Studies suggest pomegranate juice can reduce inflammation and fight off infection.
• Frozen Fruit – Fruit sherbets and popsicles can soothe the inflammation.

Ginger has anti-inflammatory effects The anti-inflammatory effects of ginger can help soothe a sore throat by relieving inflammation. Research suggests that ginger may do this by blocking pro-inflammatory proteins in the body. These proteins cause inflammatory pain and itchiness ( 4 ).

Yogurt is an excellent source of protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats. It’s chock full of probiotic bacteria that help protect the immune system. Plus, its cool, soft texture makes it an ideal source of nourishment when you’re sick.

Also, take these steps to steer clear of colds and the flu, which often bring on sore throats:

1. Stay away from people who are sick.
2. Wash your hands often.
3. Don’t share food, drink, or utensils.
4. Keep your hands away from your eyes and face.
5. Eat a healthy diet.
6. Get plenty of rest.
7. Drink lots of fluids.

For sore throats and coughs, try taking a piece of chocolate and hold it in your mouth, so it slowly dissolves and coats the throat. The chocolate works similarly to honey in the way it desensitizes aggravated nerves in the throat. Hot chocolate made from dark cacao is also very effective.

But be careful to avoid food or drink that is too hot, because this can make your sore throat worse. Cold foods can be soothing, but milk-based products like ice cream may actually make your cold worse as they can thicken mucus.