Choking throat is no fun, it feels as if something is stuck interfering with one’s ability to swallow. There may be pain and hoarseness of voice as well. Often, a cold or an upper respiratory infection could cause such symptoms of ‘choked throat’.
Symptoms
- Coughing or gagging
- Hand signals and panic (sometimes pointing to the throat)
- Sudden inability to talk
- Wheezing
- Passing out
- Difficulty breathing
- Weak cry, weak cough, or both.
Causes
Inability to breathe caused by a blockage in the throat or windpipe. Choking occurs when a piece of food, an object, or a liquid becomes lodged in the throat. Children often choke as a result of placing foreign objects into their mouths. Adults normally choke due to breathing in fumes or eating or drinking too rapidly. Most people of the choke at some point in their lives.
Choking can be caused by
- Physical obstruction of the airway by a foreign body.
- Compression of the laryngopharynx, larynx or vertebrate trachea in strangulation.
- Few respiratory diseases which involve obstruction of the airway.
- Laryngospasm, a temporary closing of the vocal cords, which simulates the feeling of choking.
Home remedies to choking throat
Warm water gargling
Gargle 3-4 times a day with warm salt water to get rid of mucus. This is the easiest way to get rid of a sore throat, choking and voice hoarseness. It is also recommended for pharyngitis, laryngitis and tonsillitis. You can use a mouthwash or antibacterial rinse to gargle. These help stop the pain and help you get rid of mucus and other stuck food bits.
Hot compress
A hot compress consists of 3-4 folds of cloth soaked in hot water. Apply the compress to the throat and cover it with dry flannel or a blanket to cut off air circulation. This will help accumulate body heat in the sore region and reduce the choking feeling. You can safely use the compress for several hours.
Steam inhalation
Inhaling hot vapors from a steamer can also help you get rid of a sore throat and choking in the throat. Cover your head with a towel and stand or sit comfortably over a steamer. Add some essential oils like eucalyptus or tea tree oil to the water in the steamer. Inhale deeply for 15-20 minutes. This will clear out the nasal passage and reduce the pressure in the throat. Repeat this remedy twice a day.
Massage
A throat massage can prove useful when suffering from hoarseness or choking feeling. Place your hands on the throat with your head thrown backward. Keep the thumbs under the chin and remaining fingers under the ears. Make downward strokes without exerting too much pressure on the jugular vein.
Raw juices
If the choking feeling is preventing you from eating anything, consume a juice-only diet. Juices beneficial for the throat include apricot, grapes, lemon, pineapple, carrot, prunes and parsley. Juice of fresh pineapple is particularly beneficial for all kinds of throat afflictions.
Turmeric
Turmeric is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. It is very beneficial for a sore throat as well as for getting rid of choked voice. Put a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a cup and pour hot milk over it. Stir in some honey and drink this warm mixture several times a day. This is the best medicine for throat choking.
Make a gargling solution with fenugreek seeds. Boil a tablespoon of the seeds in a liter of water for half an hour. Cool the solution and use it for gargling 3-4 times a day. This remedy can relieve pain and inflammation and reduce hoarseness.
Epsom salt baths
Epsom salt baths can help relieve influenza, sore throat and other illnesses that cause choking feeling in the throat. Soak in the bath for 10-15 minutes. Follow up with a cool compress applied to the throat.
Bishop’s weed
Gargling with an infusion of Bishop’s weed can help relieve sore throat and choking feeling. Boil some seeds or leaves of Bishop’s weed in water. Add some salt and strain the mixture. Use it for gargling several times a day until symptoms disappear.
Honey and black pepper
One of the best sore throat remedies, honey works quickly. Mix warm milk with honey and black pepper and drink this mixture 2-3 times a day.
Choked throat is not at all a reason to panic, especially after knowing these home remedies! However, if these remedies do not work and the matters become worse, it is advisable to consult the doctor immediately.