Throat The throat is the anterior part of the neck, in front of the vertebral column. It consists of the pharynx and larynx. The throat is common, to digestive as well as the respiratory systems. Not only does it form part of the digestive system, it helps control salivary build-up, aids speech and protects the airway from obstructions and serves as a passage for excess mucous. An important feature of the throat is the epiglottis, a flap which separates the esophagus from the trachea and prevents inhalation of food or drink. The larynx is a group of tissues and includes muscles, cartilage and other soft tissues that are found at the top of the trachea. The vocal folds (or vocal chords) are contained among these structures and close to allow food to pass only down the esophagus and are prevented from entering the trachea. When air is pushed up through the larynx the vocal folds vibrate and sound is produced, the intensity of the sound can be changed depending on how fast the air is forced through the larynx. The pharynx is the upper part of the airway and begins at the back of the nasal passages and proceeds to the top of the oesophagus. It is generally considered to be part of both the respiratory tract and the digestive tract. Functions The main function of the throat is to act as a pathway for food that links the mouth, nose, esophagus and trachea. It plays a vital role in digestion and ensures that food enters the esophagus instead of the trachea. Problems Some throat problems are as under: Bronchitis: A respiratory condition that is usually triggered by an acute viral infection of the upper airway. Diphtheria: An upper respiratory tract illness caused by gram-positive bacterium. Laryngitis: An inflammation of the larynx which causes hoarse voice or the complete loss of the voice because of irritation to the vocal cords. Mumps: A viral disease, caused by the mumps virus. 1
Sore throat: A common physical symptom usually caused by acute pharyngitis or throat inflammation. Tonsillitis: An inflammation of the tonsils most commonly caused by viral or bacterial infection. Whooping cough: A highly contagious disease caused by bacteria. Hiccups: A contraction of the diaphragm that repeats several times per minute. The abrupt rush of air into the lungs causes the vocal cords to close, creating a hic sound. Hoarseness: Difficulty in producing sound when trying to speak or a change in the pitch or quality of the voice. The voice may sound weak, very breathy, scratchy or husky. Symptoms: Common symptoms of throat problems include: Redness and swelling (inflammation) at the back of your throat causing pain, especially when you swallow Discomfort while eating, breathing, swallowing or speaking Red, swollen tonsils (the glands at the back of throat; tonsillitis) Swollen glands (lymph nodes) in neck. Pain in ears or neck If the problems is due to some infection, such as cold or flu virus, you may also have some of the symptoms of including: Fever (a temperature of 38.5 C or higher) Headache Runny nose Cough Tiredness Aching muscles and limbs. Causes Reasons for a sore throat are varied and include smoking, acid reflux, allergies, dry air, mouth breathing, throat abuse (shouting, coughing), polyps, infected tonsils, food allergy etc. Many other problems such as bronchitis, tonsillitis, diphtheria etc. are result of various bacterial or viral infections. 2
Throat Cleanse A throat filled with toxins can cause a host of problems, including bad breath, general soreness and difficulty in swallowing. Such conditions can be caused by poor eating habits as well as smoking and chewing tobacco. From time to time, it is necessary to cleanse the throat just as you naturally cleanse other parts of your digestive system, such as your colon through excretion. Though most people can clean their throats by simply expelling excess mucus, some people need to take additional measures. Cleansing of your throat may involve: Mucus Cleanse To expel excess mucus try any of these ingredients. You can also get relief from sore throat by use of these remedial measures. Ingredients: Two table spoon sea salt or One table spoon apple cider vinegar or A small piece of ginger root and Water Procedure Stir two tablespoons of sea salt in a t glass of water. Standing in front of your bathroom sink, take a big sip, tilt your head back and gargle for as long as you can. Spit the saltwater into the sink. Swallowing the saltwater and toxins will just re-pollute your body. Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. Take a big sip and gargle with the mixture. Then spit it into the sink. Gargle again, swallowing the mixture this time. Continue this process until the vinegar-water is gone. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which will kill any bacteria lining your throat or further along your digestive tract. Peel a piece of ginger root the size of your thumb and add it to a pot of boiling water. Allow the water to cool and sip the water-ginger mixture slowly, adding honey if you wish. After finishing the mixture, chew the remaining pieces of ginger. Do not swallow the ginger. Ginger is an all-natural expectorant and will assist in removing pollutants from your throat. 3
Candida Cleanse Very often a sore throat is result of presence of Candida in throat. In such cases, this cleanse is very helpful. Ingredients Grape fruit seed extract / colloidal silver Procedure The best thing one can found for cleanse of candida in throat is grape fruit seed extract. Grape fruit extract can be used in water. Gargle with it making sure it hits the back of throat. Try to hit out the tonsils and back of tongue. Also swish it around the tongue and teeth for a while before spiting it out. You can also use colloidal silver water with grape seed extract for immediate benefits. Home Remedies for sore throats In case of sore throat, you can try some easy, natural remedies that will help alleviate the pain and, depending on the cause, possibly cure the problem. 1. Lemon You can use fresh lemons to get relief from a sore throat as they help remove mucus. Try hot lemonade with honey. Mix the juice from half a lemon and one teaspoon of honey in one cup of warm water. Sip it slowly. Another option is to gargle with freshly pressed lemon juice diluted with an equal amount of warm water. You can also take half a lemon and sprinkle salt and pepper over it. Slowly lick the lemon. Cinnamon Cinnamon can be used to treat a sore throat caused by the common cold. Add one teaspoon each of cinnamon powder and black pepper powder to a glass of warm water. You may also add cardamom. Strain the solution and gargle with it two to three times a day. Another option is to mix a few drops of cinnamon oil and one teaspoon of pure honey. Eat this two times a day to get relief from the pain and inflammation associated with a sore throat. 4
3. Garlic Garlic has antibacterial and antiseptic properties along with other medicinal properties that can help treat or prevent sore throats. Eat a raw garlic clove daily to release the chemical known as allicin that helps kill the bacteria, may be, causing the sore throat. Also try to eat garlic in raw and cooked form. If you do not like the taste, you can take garlic pills. 4. Turmeric Another great remedy for a sore throat is turmeric, which has powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Mix one-quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder into a glass of warm water. Drink it slowly in the morning on an empty stomach. Do this once daily for three or four days. Alternatively, you can add one teaspoon of turmeric powder and one teaspoon of ground black pepper to a glass of warm milk and drink it before going to bed. You can also gargle with turmeric to soothe a bad throat. Add one-half teaspoon of turmeric powder and one-half teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and mix it well. Gargle with this mixture twice daily. Following ingredients can also be used to gargle with a little water in case of sore throat and overall health of throat. Gargle with a solution of 10 ml extract of mango bark in 125 ml of water. Drink or gargle with water in which basil (tulsi) leaves have been boiled. Take four cloves of garlic, one tablespoon of honey and a little bit of chili powder. Mix them and make a paste. Swallow this after chewing. Make tea by adding 1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile (babunphul) blossoms to a cup of boiling water and drink this every day. Mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, a little bit of chilli powder, juice of ¼ of a lemon and one teaspoon of honey. Add one cup of hot water and stir well. Drink this every day. 5
Add a pinch of cinnamon (द लच न ) and chili powder to a glass of water. Add a teaspoon of honey, mix well and drink every day. Boil one teaspoon of fenugreek (म थ ) seeds in one cup of water. Strain and allow the liquid to cool. Use for gargling. Clearing of Throat Benefits FAQ s 6