CategoriesSystem Remedy

Throat

Throat Support Remedy

Your throat is a tube that carries food to your esophagus and air to your windpipe and larynx. The technical name for throat is pharynx, which is Greek for 'throat'. As you move further down the throat, the pharynx turns into the larynx. It houses the vocal cords and is crucial to speech and breathing. The larynx also serves as a passageway to both the trachea (windpipe to the lung) and the esophagus (canal to the stomach).

Sore throats are one of the most common health complaints and are one of the main reasons people go see a health care provider. A sore throat is known medically as pharyngitis. It is most often caused by a viral infection such as a cold or the flu (influenza). Symptoms of sore throat affecting the body include fever, headache, nausea, body aches, and malaise. These may be present with either a viral or bacterial infection. Cold viruses tend to cause more coughing, sneezing and runny nose than strep throat. Symptoms specific to the throat include pain with swallowing for pharyngitis and a hoarse voice when laryngitis is present. Sore throats are usually named for the anatomical site affected.

Fun Facts

  • Your throat branches in two at the bottom. One branch, the esophagus, takes food to the stomach. The other, the larynx, takes air to the lungs.
  • The epiglottis is the flap that tilts down to the larynx to stop food entering it when you swallow.
  • The tonsils and the adenoids are bunches of lymph nodes (see lymphatic system) that swell to help fight ear, nose and throat infections, especially in young children.
  • The throat is made of the exact same tissue as a vagina.

Health Conditions

  • Pharyngitis is pain and inflammation of the pharynx.
  • Tonsillitis typically involves inflammation of the tonsils (tonsils are located on either side of the base of the tongue).
  • Laryngitis is pain and inflammation of the larynx (often associated with a hoarse voice). Croup is a form of laryngitis in children (it tends to be associated with a seal bark cough and difficulty inhaling air).
  • Epiglottitis is a rare type of sore throat because of inflammation of the epiglottis.
  • Allergies can cause symptoms in the throat area.
  • Strep throat is caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria. Symptoms may include severe sore throat, fever, headache, and swollen glands. If not treated, strep infections can lead to scarlet fever, rheumatic fever, skin, bloodstream, ear infections, and pneumonia.
  • Gastric reflux - the upward movement of stomach acids into the esophagus can cause some burning and discomfort in the throat.

Suggestions To Strengthen

  • Avoid smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. Tobacco smoke, whether primary or secondary, contains hundreds of toxic chemicals that irritate the throat lining.
  • If you have seasonal allergies or ongoing allergic reactions to dust, molds, or pet dander, you're more likely to develop a sore throat than people who don't have allergies, so get your allergies remedied.
  • Avoid exposure to chemical irritants. Particulate matter in the air from the burning of fossil fuels, as well as common household chemicals, can cause throat irritation.
  • If you experience chronic or frequent sinus infections you are more likely to experience a sore throat, since drainage from nose or sinus infections can cause throat infections as well.
  • If you live or work in close quarters such as a child care center, classroom, office, prison, or military installation, you are at greater risk because viral and bacterial infections spread easily in environments where people are in close proximity.
  • Maintain good hygiene. Do not share napkins, towels, and utensils with an infected person. Wash your hands regularly with soap.