Research by Ultra Chloraseptic, the anaesthetic throat spray which relieves pain in seconds, reveals that sore throats have a big impact on our work, social and family lives.

I should say so.

Having felt very sorry for myself over the last week, the only thing that actually helped, and helps, is an anaesthetic throat spray and so I’m all for this product.

Cough cough, sneeze sneeze.

Apparently I’m not alone, because a survey of 1,000 people aged 18 to 65 found that nearly half said the pain of a sore throat felt like they were swallowing razor blades. More than a third said they felt something scratchy at the back of their throat, a quarter said they had no energy and more than one in five said it felt like their throat was wrapped in barbed wire.

The new research by Ultra Chloraseptic reported how throat sprays could be a useful aid in treatment.

Mr Alasdair Mace, an ear, nose and throat surgeon says consumers are right to be concerned. He says: “Most cold germs are breathed in, so the first battle-front for our immune system is often the mucosal tissue lining our throat. Although sore throats are a relatively minor problem, and will eventually clear of their own accord, these infections cause considerable discomfort. Healthcare professionals should not dismiss the importance of fast symptom relief that targets the sore throat directly.”

GP Dr Paul Stillman explains: “Ultra Chloraseptic is an anaesthetic throat spray using the fast-acting ingredient, benzocaine, creating targeted pain relief within seconds, and helping to relieve discomfort when swallowing. Benzocaine works by blocking sodium and potassium from entering nerve cells and activating the pain pathway. As it is rapidly absorbed by mucosal membranes in the throat — the tissues which become painful and inflamed when we have a sore throat — benzocaine provides almost instant pain relief. However, absorption beyond the mucosal membranes is poor, so hardly any benzocaine reaches the bloodstream so overdosing is not an issue.

“Unlike many anaesthetic throat lozenges, which also numb the mouth, this spray provides targeted relief. It is also sugar-free — an important consideration for anyone with diabetes or those minimising sugar intake for general good health and in line with recent guidance that we should halve our intakes.”

Of course, tea and sympathy also has its place, but perhaps cold and easy to eat foods such as ice cream (forget the diet) jelly or why not  slurp some soup. Leave the spicy foods for another time.

As for work, most of us feel we must stiffen that upper lip and carry on, but best not to get too close to chums or colleagues. You will not be thanked for causing the whole department to be sent home sick.

Remember you can also gargle with warm salty water, but keep the throat spray with you at all times. Have a quick squirt when things get tough, and then you can keep going.

Children over 6 will be fine with it..

 Frost is thrilled that James Swallow has found time to write about his writing day for us – enjoy. And read his novel NOMAD, a belter of a book.

‘Bedtime? Forget it. This is one you won’t put down until it’s finished. We need a new strong character in this genre, and fresh for the New Year, Marc Dane is one.’ Frost Magazine

‘Unputdownable…a must read’ Wilbur Smith

‘nail-biting debut thriller for the post wikileaks world’ Mail on Sunday

‘a globe-trotting espionage thriller…very enjoyable.’ Guardian

James Swallow is a veteran author and scriptwriter with over 15 years of experience in fiction, television, radio, journalism, new media and videogames. He is the three-time New York Times bestselling author. He was nominated by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) for his writing on the critically acclaimed DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION, 2013’s blockbuster videogame with over 2.18 million copies sold.

Frost is thrilled that James Swallow has found time to write about his writing day for us – enjoy.

The alarm wakes me around 8:00am, and if I haven’t been working ridiculous hours the night before it will have the desired effect and rouse me. Strong coffee and a breakfast snack come next, so the caffeine hits my system around the time I’m at my computer and logging on to the rest of the world. By far the best part of my working day is the commute; I have to travel a lengthy 12 or so metres to my home office, and as someone who used to have a long and dull journey into work back when I had a day job, it’s not something I miss!

At my desk, I skim the internet for the day’s news, check social media and sift through my emails, but my hope is to be into the work for the day by around 10:00am. I start by reviewing the previous day’s writing, whatever it may be – part of a book’s chapter, a piece of short fiction, or script pages – and I edit as I go, fixing things and tightening the writing. By the time I’m done with that, it’s like my writing engine is firing on all cylinders and I’m ready for the main event. I review my plan for the day – how many pages of script I need to write or what my word-count target is – and then settle in to start ‘cutting metal’. At other times, my day might be all about editing if I’m reviewing a finished draft; or it might be a pure study day spent building up a Google search history that which thanks to being a writer of modern espionage thrillers would raise eyebrows at GCHQ and MI5! Other times, I’m off-site working with videogames studios or on location for research.

I’m typically at my desk six days out of every seven, although being your own boss does allow you the luxury of voting yourself a free day whenever you feel you need one! The trade-offs are good and bad – the writer’s lot can be a lonely and isolating one if you allow it to be, so it’s good to break up the schedule with the occasional walkabout or lunch at a local café. It’s also important to keep up a regular connection with your fellow authors in person, or online, if only to share the high and lows of the writer life, brainstorm ideas or just act as a sounding board.

Just a bit of James’ research.

Lunch break comes sometime after 1:00pm, but occasionally it will slip to later if I’m not watching the clock – especially if I am working on something that really captures my attention! I eat at my desk more often than I should, but sometimes I’ll take my lunch on the sofa or out in the garden during the summer months. Then it’s back to the task at hand and I do my best to be done by the time my wife returns from work in the early evening. If I get finished early, I’ll reward myself by unwinding with music, a movie or a game.

But no matter where I am or what time of day it is, I will always have a notepad and a pen within arm’s reach just in case an idea occurs to me outside of “office hours”! As most writers will attest, we are all of us always writing, but we’re not always writing it down…

Published by Zaffre, paperback, £7.99

http://jamesswallow.blogspot.co.uk/               #Nomad

It’s time to celebrate the remembered joys of the festive season so how about a Twelfth Night supper?

Perhaps a lightly spiced Asian meal (why not a takeaway after the feverish home cooking) followed by dessert, and perhaps a light blue cheese. What to drink though? Nothing better for Frost Magazine is the 56 Hundred 2017 Chenin Blanc which can keep you company from starter to the cheese.

Crisp, cool, with a scent of pineapple and peach – a hint of the summer to come. Excellent honest wine.

The Nederburg is an interesting South African winery which has created an initiative in partnership with the Qhubeka charity to raise money to build bikes to transform lives in South Africa.

#DoYourPart is encouraging people to  ride your bike and raise money to get communities across Africa mobilised by making bikes to get them moving – whether it be to work, school or simply just to make it possible to get around.

Sign up or donate at www.nederburgbelieves.co.uk and you can start logging miles for bike parts or a whole bike. Fundraising cycle packs are sent out to inspire one and all to get on their bikes and raise money to build bikes on the Nederburg vineyard in South Africa at a special assembly facility which has been built to support this life changing initiative. The facility, which assembles a minimum of 5,000 purpose-built bicycles a year, will not only offer employment to the community, but also provide all employees with their own personal bicycle, enabling them to improve their lives as well.

If you’d like to know more about Nederburg’s partnership with Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka to mobilise communities across Africa, visit http://www.nederburgbelieves.co.uk/or search #DoYourPart on social media.

So let’s step back into the sitting room, and bask in the glow of the fire, and let the talk drift to Christmas, the relatives, and how long the pine needles will lurk hidden in the carpet, and while doing that, why not sip a whiskey?

We suggest the twelve year old Johnnie Walker Black Label which brings together the flavours from the four corners of Scotland, to create a rather special flavour.

I wonder what John Walker would feel about the amazing empire he built up. He was a farm lad when his father died in 1819 but somehow he wasn’t cast down, but  instead he  powered onwards.

The farm was sold, and the money used to set John up in a grocer’s shop in Kilmarnock, which was far more John’s cup of tea, or should I say, shot of whiskey. Because it was in whiskey distilling where his real genius lay. He began to blend whiskey’s together to get some sort of reliability of taste.

In the 1850s John popped his clogs, and Alexander, his son, took over the business. It was the time of improved transportation: trains and ships and in 1867 Alexander launched Johnnie Walker’s first commercial blend and called it Old Highland Whisky. Before long, this unique blend was available around the globe.

What I didn’t realise was that it was then that the famous square bottle was introduced to reduce breakages, and the label, slanted at precisely 24 degrees. John’s son knew a thing or two about branding. The rest is history.

So here we are, sitting in front of the fire, drinking Johnnie Walker Black Label with its rich, complex and incredibly well balanced in flavour. Full of dark fruits, sweet vanilla and a signature smooth finish which is layered with rich smoke, pea and malt, it creates an impressive whisky to share on any occasion.

Of course, you can enjoy Johnnie Walker Black Label in any way you like – on its own, with a dash of water or alongside your favourite mixer.

But maybe for Twelfth Night you’d like to try a Johnnie Ginger – a spicy mix of Johnnie Walker Black Label and ginger ale, served over ice and garnished with a slice of orange or lime.

Either way, just lift your glass to 2018, and thank John Walker for his distilling skills.

Available from The Whiskey Exchange: https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/550/johnnie-walker-black-label-12-year-old

Milly Adams is the author of several bestselling novels. The latest of which is The Waterway Girls. pub Arrow. £5.99