Symptoms of Throat Cancer - Having a Chronic Sore Throat?

Although there are many types and forms of cancer, the cancer of the throat is a dangerous type of cancer affecting many people around the world these days. The cancer of the throat can affect any human being, but a certain group of people are more prone to this form of cancer. Cancer of the throat is more prevalent in people who smoke regularly or are exposed to a lot of passive smoking. People with chronic acid reflux disease are also at a higher risk of contracting this type of cancer.

Another group of people that are more at risk of contracting cancer of the throat are those with a family history of this disease. A cancer that affects the pharynx (the area that connects the mouth and the nasal cavity), the vocal cords and/or the larynx (the voice box) in a patient is known as cancer of the throat. Each year some 5000 to 7000 people die of throat cancer in the United States. African American men are most at risk of contracting cancer of the throat. People with cancer of the throat are far more likely to have cancer in their pharynx than in the larynx. Men are much more at risk of having the cancer of the throat then women, and roughly 25000 new cases of throat cancer are diagnosed each year.

There are some symptoms that will point towards the cancer of the throat and if you have any of these symptoms you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Like any disease an early diagnosis and treatment can save your life. Especially with cancer if it is diagnosed well in time treatment can be much more effective. Unfortunately the early symptoms for throat cancer are quite general and can be mistaken for some other conditions like sore throat, flu and common cold, these symptoms should not be ignored and a through checkup should be done to diagnose the problem correctly.

Chronic earaches are a common symptom of throat cancer; these aches can sometimes be mistaken for an ear infection caused by flu. Chronic sore throat is another major symptom of throat cancer and it can be persistent and not go away. A dry throat and difficulty speaking, sometimes it can feel like there is a lump in the back of the mouth, throat or neck, this symptom can also make one sound hoarse. Sometimes a patient suffering from cancer of the throat will feel numbness all over the face. A throat cancer patient can show visible sores on the tongue and mouth.

Pain or difficulty swallowing, some times difficulty even swallowing liquids are a symptom of throat cancer and should not be ignored. Sudden unexplained weight loss in any person is a sign of concern and is a symptom of throat cancer or some other type of cancer. Bleeding from the throat and blood in the sputum is another symptom of cancer of the throat. If you suffer from any of these symptoms or a combination of the symptoms get yourself properly checked out, it is not necessary that you are suffering from throat cancer just because you have some symptoms but it is important to rule out the presence of this dangerous disease in a timely manner.

By Uttoran Sen

Natural Remedies for Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is a common childhood ailment, but you don't have to treat it with antibiotics. Pediatricians are less likely to prescribe antibiotics for minor ailments, as the overuse of antibiotics is creating "superbugs" that are resistant to antibiotics. You can use natural remedies to soothe your child's sore throat and to prevent occurrences of tonsillitis. The following eight remedies or treatments are all drug-free and provide natural relief from the agony of tonsillitis.

Remedy 1 - Chiropractic Care

You might be surprised to see chiropractic care on this list of natural remedies for tonsillitis, but chiropractors do far more than simply "crack backs". Qualified chiropractors can offer solutions for many childhood ailments, including tonsillitis. Chiropractors offer holistic solutions, restoring the entire body to better health by restoring the way the nervous and lymphatic systems communicate with the rest of the body. Tonsils form part of the lymphatic system, which eliminates toxins and helps the immune system. Often, the tonsils will enlarge if the immune system is not working properly, causing recurrent infections, or tonsillitis.

Chiropractors have significantly reduced the number of infections in children by ensuring the lymphatic system, connected via the nervous system, works properly. As the spinal cord is the major communications route for all messages from the brain to the body's muscles and organs, it is essential that the spine is straight and allows all the messages to pass through properly. Unfortunately, many children have minor misalignments in the spine, caused by birth trauma, or falls that could seem minor at the time, but can affect a developing body.

The misalignments or 'subluxations' cause numerous health problems, such as tonsillitis, as pressure on parts of the nervous system can prevent organs working properly. A chiropractor can correct the subluxations by gentle adjustments, which can relieve the pressure and provide the body with clear communications pathway, and therefore restore overall health to the nervous system, the lymphatic system, and the immune system. If your child suffers from recurrent tonsillitis, try consulting a chiropractor.

Remedy 2 - Lime and Honey Water

Warm drinks, such as lime and honey water, can soothe the sore throat and can help to alleviate the symptoms of tonsillitis. Heat one or two cups of water. Add the juice of a fresh lime, 4 teaspoons of honey, and a quarter teaspoon of salt. Drink this mixture three or four times a day to soothe the infected tonsils. The warmth helps to soothe the throat, while the honey provides a sweet smooth coating for the infected parts. The limejuice and the salt combine to reduce infections and help to prevent further infections.

Remedy 3 - Drink Plenty of Fluids

While this may seem like common sense, many people forget to drink plenty of fluids when feeling sick. A child who finds swallowing painful will be likely to develop dehydration, which can complicate the illness and prevent your child from recovering quickly. Encourage your child to sip continuously at a drink using a straw. Avoid carbonated drinks, as the bubbles will irritate the sore tonsils. Liquids include lukewarm broths, such as chicken broth, gelatin (jelly), yoghurt, ice cream, custard, and applesauce. Avoid hard, crunchy, and spicy foods that will irritate the tonsils and sore throat.

Remedy 4 - Tumeric in Milk

Grandmothers love this home remedy. Tumeric is a spice that many people believe has healing properties. It can boost the immune system and reduce the effects of a sore throat when added with some freshly ground pepper to hot milk. If the tonsillitis is particularly severe, you may like to grind some tumeric root and mix with water to make a paste. Rub the paste around your mouth and throat to eliminate germs.

Remedy 5 - Echinacea and Goldenseal

Echinacea and Goldenseal are two herbs that many people believe help to boost the immune system and provide relief from pain. You can buy both from vitamin or health food shops. Some vitamin pills will include these two herbs as key ingredients, although using the fresh herbs will be more beneficial than taking a vitamin pill. If you can procure fresh or even powered Echinacea or Goldenseal, you can brew it like a tea. Gargle some of the mixture first to encourage the herbs to reduce the infection around the throat and the tonsils. Drink the mixture to gain the full benefits of these effective herbs.

Remedy 6 - Use a Humidifier

If your child has congestion, while suffering from tonsillitis, it will be difficult for your child to breathe properly. Placing a vaporizer or humidifier in the room can help to open the nasal passages, encouraging the child to breathe through his or her nose instead of the mouth. Adding moisture to the atmosphere can soothe a dry, sore throat. If you do not have a humidifier, you can achieve a similar effect by having your child breathe over a bowl of steaming warm water for a few minutes. Some people like to add eucalyptus oil to the bowl of warm water or the humidifier to help the nasal passages open further.

Remedy 7 - Gargling Salt Water or Onion Juices

Gargling salt water is a common home remedy for tonsillitis. The idea is that the salt, which has natural preservative properties, will prevent and reduce infections. Onions have similar properties. Roast two onions and squeeze the juice out of the warm onions. Gargle this with some warm water. Alternatively, you can add a small amount of salt to warm water and gargle that around your sore throat.

Remedy 8 - Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek is becoming a popular herb in many natural therapies. Simmer two large tablespoons of fresh fenugreek seeds for half an hour in a litre of water. Drain the seeds out and gargle the water when it is cool.

Most of the remedies above treat the symptoms of tonsillitis. However, the first remedy of chiropractic care can help to prevent further bouts of tonsillitis by treating the cause of the problem. Combine several of the remedies to treat both the cause and the effect of the problem of recurrent tonsillitis.

By Maria Ananakis 

Top 10 Most Effective Home Remedies For Tonsillitis

Tonsils are known as part of immunity system present in mouth. However, there are certain conditions, which may lead to damage and infection to them. The state of inflammation of tonsils is known as tonsillitis. The person suffering from tonsillitis often experiences sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, pain in ear, weakness and enlargement of lymph glands.
Before you consult a doctor for the treatment, it is advised to try some home treatments capable of treating this undesirable disorder.

1. Salt and Water - It is the most common home remedy for tonsillitis to gargle with salt added to warm water.
2. Vegetable juices - The juices of vegetables like carrot, cucumber and beet is indeed the most effective home based remedy for treating tonsillitis. You may consume these juices separately or as a mixture.
3. Mustard - It is often suggested to rinse your throat with solution prepared by mixing powdered mustard in hot water. This helps in cleaning the germs causing this problem from the throat.
4. Lemon and honey - The mixture of lime juice with honey prepared in hot water is another great remedy for relieving throat from pain and infection. You may also add a pinch of salt in the mixture.
5. Fenugreek seeds - The fenugreek seeds should be allowed to boil with water and the resulting mixture must be used as a gargle to get relief from this problem. However, you must allow the mixture to cool down before using it.
6. Milk - The pure boiled milk is another recommended home remedy for treating tonsil infections. It is also advised to add turmeric powder and pepper powder in the milk before consuming it.
7. Banafsha Flowers - You may boil 12g of banafsha flowers with milk and filter it out after boiling. The filtered milk must be drunk hot to relieve throat from tonsil infections. Also, you may use the flower extracts filtered out in above process and massage them gently around throat before going to bed.
8. Turmeric - Because of anti-bacterial anti-viral properties exhibited by turmeric, it is advised to prepare a paste of turmeric roots in hot water and apply it externally around the throat.
9. Dried Figs - Dried and boiled figs are quite effective in reducing the pain and harshness caused due to tonsillitis. You must mash these figs and consume them with a spoon of honey.
10. Onion and Ginger - Onion juice and ginger juice are considered as best home remedies for various problems and tonsillitis is one of them. You may use these juices for gargling and reducing the pain in throat.

Dietary recommendations
It is necessary to follow a perfect diet plan to get relieved from tonsillitis. You must consume fresh fruits and vegetables to benefit your throat against this problem. Also, products like yoghurt, tea prepared from Echinacea, Goldenseal, nuts and grains.You must avoid alcohol, smoking, spices, condiments, fried foods and carbonated drinks in case of tonsillitis.

Aashu S

Effective Home Remedies for Strep Throat

Strep throat is inflammation of the throat, tonsils and lymph nodes due to infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat is very common during the flu seasons and it can be preceded by mild symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing or cough. The incubation period of strep throat is around 3-5 days and most symptoms occur within this period of time. Common symptoms of strep throat are: throat inflammation and swelling, difficult swallowing, difficult breathing, mucus-producing cough, fatigue, body weakness, headache, nausea, poor appetite, enlargement of the lymph nodes and tonsils, excessive sweating and fever.
Strep throat is very contagious and the bacteria responsible for causing the illness can be easily transmitted from a person to another by direct touch, sneezing or coughing. In order to prevent infection with streptococcus bacteria, it is very important to maintain proper personal hygiene and to avoid entering in contact with infected people. The persons affected by strep throat should also take measures in avoiding spreading the bacteria to others.
Untreated strep throat can lead to serious complications and doctors usually recommend a course of antibiotics to most people affected by strep throat. With appropriate medical treatment, the illness can be overcome quickly, minimizing the risk of developing complications.
Although they can't replace medical treatments completely, there are various home remedies that can quickly relieve the symptoms of strep throat and speed up the process of recovery. Corroborated with proper rest, an appropriate diet and plenty of fluids, natural remedies can quickly deal with the undesirable effects of strep throat.
Chamomile tea is one of the best natural remedies for strep throat. Its analgesic properties can provide rapid relief for throat pain and headaches. Administered every few hours, chamomile tea can also reduce fever and prevent dehydration. A very strong natural remedy, sage can reduce inflammation, protecting the soft tissues of the throat and respiratory system. Sage can be used either under the form of tincture or under the form of capsules. Thanks to its antibiotic properties, garlic is also an appropriate home remedy for strep throat.
Gargling with salt water can fight against bacteria and can reduce throat inflammation and pain, while saline nasal sprays can help decongest the airways clogged with mucus. When suffering from strep throat, it is very important to maintain a warm temperature in your bedroom and to increase the air humidity by using mist humidifiers. You should avoid exposure to chemicals or irritants such as cigarette smoke and alcohol vapors. You should keep away from any substance with strong, persistent odor in order to prevent further inflammation of the respiratory system's soft tissues and membranes.
It is recommended to avoid drinking cold or very hot beverages, as they can cause throat irritation and pain, slowing down the process of healing. Also, keep away from spicy and irritant foods, as they are not tolerated well by an inflamed throat. When suffering from strep throat, you should only eat soft foods such as soups, yogurts, mashed potatoes, and non-irritant fruits.

Groshan Fabiola