Throat Polyps Symptoms, Causes, Removal Treatment and Home Remedies

Polyps in general, are benign growths in mucus membranes. When the sinus linings develop watery overgrowth in the throat, nasal area, uterus and intestinal tract. These polyps may at times grow to a huge size and prevent normal breathing. Throat Polyps symptoms are easy to tell as a result of how they feel and their pictures. However, the removal of this Polyps may involve various treatments including the use of natural home remedies.

More severe cases of throat polyps are also known as polypoid degeneration or Reinke’s edema. Throat polyps tend to be large and bulge, affecting a person’s ability to speak. They are common among adults and some can disappear on their own, without requiring any particular treatment. Others require medical treatment and, fortunately, they respond well to that said treatment. Depending on the nature of the throat polyps, you might suffer from a wide range of voice disturbances.

Polyps in throat

They can change the pitch of the voice so that it becomes lower than normal or cause the voice to sound hoarse and croaky. Throat polyps should not be confused with a lump in the throat. Throat polyps cannot be felt or appear as a swelling in the throat. In case of a sensation of a lump in your throat then this likely to be caused by an infection or cysts on your tonsils.

What is a polyp in the throat?

Throat polyps are non-cancerous fleshy growths that occur in the throat and it normally forms on the vocal cords. The polyps that normally form on the vocal cords are also known as polypoid degeneration or Reinke’s oedema. Throat polyps is caused by the overuse of the voice. Throat polyps can appear on either one or both of the vocal cords.

How does throat polyps pictures look like? Throat polyps look like either a nodule, with swelling or a bump, a lesion, which may look similar to a blister, or a star like growth. However, in some cases the polyps are so small that the person affected may not be able to notice them. These polyps then break off and disappear inside the body or clear up by themselves.

What does a throat polyp feel like?

The feeling that there is something in the throat is one of the symptoms of throat polyps. This may be accompanied by vocal fold. Vocal fold mucosal lesions can hardly be felt. However, when irregularities form on the surface of the vocal folds, the mucous often gets stuck and accumulates on the lesion. The thickened mucous can make a person feel like there is “something” in the throat, and the natural reaction is to cough or clear the voice.

However, frequent coughing and throat-clearing only contribute to the mucosal irritation and can make the lesions (and voice problem) worse. Learning how to use safe vocal behaviors in place of coughing and throat clearing is part of the voice therapy program.

What are the symptoms of throat polyps

Throat polyps are benign growths that can present on either one or both of the vocal cords, and they look like either a nodule, with swelling or a bump, a lesion, which may look similar to a blister, or a stalk-like growth. There are a variety of different signs and symptoms of both throat polyps, including:

Feeling a sensation of having a lump in the throat
Having a scratchy, hoarse, breathy and/or rough voice
Decreased pitch range
Feeling neck pains
Fatigue of the voice and body
A shooting pain from ear to ear

Causes of throat polyps

How does one get throat polyps? Can throat polyps be Cancer? Before getting rid of throat polyps, ii is very important to know the exact cause. Throat polyps are non-cancerous fleshy growths that occur in the throat and it normally forms on the vocal cords. Throat polyps is caused by the overuse of the voice. Throat polyps can appear on either one or both of the vocal cords.

Vocal cord cysts and throat polyps are not cancerous and are well known to be caused by the voice overuse, for example during singing sessions, cheerleading, teaching, yelling, screaming and coaching. However, throat polyps may occur as a result of abusive vocal behaviors like chronic throat clearing, chronic coughing and whispering.

Smoking can also be a major cause of extreme vocal cord polyps. Smoker’s polyps can develop when almost the entire vocal cord is polypoid. This situation is caused by excessive smoking and at times talking. The combination of the two causes smoker’s polyps.

Treatment for polyps in throat

There are medical, surgical and behavioral treatments that can be used to treat polyps. Surgery helps in the removal of the polyp from the vocal cord, it is only used when necessary, such as a polyp that can grow quite large or if it has been in place for a long time and surgery is rarely used on children. There several medical treatments which may be used to treat polyps, including:

1. Surgery to remove polyps in throat

Throat polyps may be removed surgically by a physician. This may also be done in order to perform a biopsy test. This is a test that is carried out to verify that the throat polyps are not as a result of cancerous cells. The surgical removal of the polyps in the throat can be performed during a laryngoscopy.

In this case, a metal tube is normally inserted through the mouth into the throat; usually, there is a light at the end of the tube as well. The physician then makes a small, but sharp cut-shaped punch through to clip off the polyp(s). Once the polyp(s) is removed, it must then be accompanied by voice therapy.

2. Voice therapy to remove polyps in throat

Voice therapy is very important component when it comes to any comprehensive surgical treatment for hoarseness. It is designed to reduce hoarseness through guided change in vocal behaviors and lifestyle changes. It consists of various tasks that are designed to eliminate harmful vocal behavior, shape healthy vocal behavior, and assist in vocal fold wound healing after surgery or injury.

Voice therapy is a voice treatment method that has been proved to be the most effective method of rectifying lower volume, lower energy and rapid speech in persons with Parkinson’s disease. Voice therapy has been used to treat hoarseness concurrently with other medical therapies such as botulinum toxin injections. It has also widely been used alone in the treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

There are different focuses of voice therapy, including the following:

Meant to reduce or stop vocal abusive behaviors
So as to good vocal hygiene
To help one learn to adjust the pitch, loudness and breath support etc.

3. Medical interventions to remove polyps

Medical interventions are always very important in reducing the impact of throat polyps on the vocal cords. The treatments for thyroid problems and allergies may be very useful at this point. It is also advisable to administer medicals interventions that will help stop smoking and control stress. In some cases, an inhaled steroid spray can be used for treatment.

Home remedies for polyps in throat

In many occasions, polyps keep on recurring and this leads to chronic respiratory problems. However, throat polys can be treated naturally by the use of natural home remedies. Home remedies are chosen since they are an effective method to treat polyps naturally due to their recurring nature. Below are some of the most common best home remedies for polyps:

1. Use apple cider vinegar to get rid of throat polyps naturally.

Apple cider vinegar has been widely used for various household and cooking purposes. It is also an ancient folk remedy, claimed to help with all sorts of health problems. The most popular vinegar in the natural health community is Apple Cider Vinegar. It is claimed to lead to all sorts of benefits, some of which are supported by science.

Apple cider vinegar is an excellent detoxifier. Therefore, it thins down the very mucus which the polyps is made of. Moreover, apple cider vinegar prevents further sinusitis infection and recurrence of polyps. In order to get rid of throat polyps, the following guidelines should be followed:

Add two tablespoons each of apple cider vinegar and honey to warm water.
Drink the mixture 3 to 4 times in a day, or
Add few drops of apple cider vinegar to a port of boiling water and inhale the steam.

2. Using garlic to treat throat polyps

Garlic can be effectively used to get rid of throat polyps naturally. Garlic is allicin that has strong anti-inflammatory as well as antibacterial properties. Increasing the intake of garlic would help to decrease the swelling and also prevent the occurrence of Polyps altogether. It is therefore advisable to eat one crushed garlic clove in your dishes or eat the garlic capsules if unable to tolerate the smell.

3. Use of onion as a home remedy for polyps

Onion is a natural home remedy for polyps. It works more or less garlic in the treatment of polyps. Onions are natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents that help to reduce swelling of throat polyps.

4. Castor oil remedy for throat polyps

Castor works by boosting the immune system hence preventing the occurrence of throat polyps and their symptoms. It prevents further infections in the long term. Castor oil treats throat polyps by reducing its size prominently and helping it shrink down much faster.

It is therefore an effective home remedy for polyps that tend to come back every now and then. A recommended dosage of castor oil for treatment of throat polyps is a teaspoon that is to be taken daily.

5. Using tea tree oil to treat throat polyps naturally

Tea tree oil contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, tea tree oil has proved to be an effective home remedy for throat polyps. The oil is used to cure the existing polyps and also prevents future recurrences and infections.

Tea tree oil should be applied tropically to the affected parts for best results. Otherwise, add a few drops of tea tree oil into a pot of boiling water and inhale the steam. This will help shrink the throat polyps significantly.

6. Goldenseal remedy for throat polyps

Goldenseal root contains antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. This properties makes it is very useful in reducing tissue growth induced pain and inflammation caused due to throat polyps. It also prevents scar formation after the polyps has subsided.

Strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents called isoquinoline alkaloids are present in Goldenseal which makes it an ideal cure for polyps. You can take Goldenseal root tea for reducing the size of the polyps and preventing further growth. You can inhale the steam of this tea for healing nasal polyps. Avoid this herb if you are pregnant.

7. Use cayenne Pepper to get rid of throat polyps

It is also known as Red chili Pepper. It is found in North as well as South America. This herb is vital for shrinking polyps because it boosts the functioning of blood capillaries and improves circulation.

A substance found in this herb known as capsaicin is also useful for relieving pain. You need to dilute Cayenne Pepper before applying it to the nose to reduce nasal polyps. You can also take powdered Cayenne Pepper made from the pods of this herb internally to benefit from its medical benefits for healing polyps in other parts of the body.

8. Flax Plant remedy for throat polyps

Seeds of this herb are used for medical purposes. This is because the seeds contain a high proportion of alpha linolic acid and omega 3 essential fatty acids which strengthen the body and enhance the immune system.

This is very helpful in countering foreign tissue growth such as nasal and colon polyps. You can roast the seeds of this herb in a pan and then crush them into the powder. You can take this powder directly or even add this powder to soups and dishes. This herb is a very good remedy for throat polyps.

9. Green Tea as a remedy for throat polyps

Green Tea is a very effective herbal remedy for polyps, especially colon polyps. An active ingredient of Green Tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate blocks certain enzymes. These enzymes are directly responsible for the growth of colon polyps.

Therefore, if Green Tea is regularly taken, it can prove to be a very useful herbal cure for polyps. You can drink 2 to 3 cups of Green Tea in a day to benefit from this herbal remedy. You can also take this herb in extract form for good results.

10. Red Raspberry Leaf

It is generally used for menstruation problems but it is also a very good herbal cure for uterine polyps. Red Raspberry Leaf is a natural astringent. More importantly, it shrinks external as well as internal foreign tissue growth making it especially efficacious for treating polyps such as uterine polyps. You can take Red Raspberry Leaf extract for best outcomes. This is one of the best herbs to use for strengthening the female reproductive system and restoring good health to the uterus.

11. Using angelica for treatment of throat polyps

Angelica root is very efficacious in boosting healthy circulation in the body. It is also good for stopping abnormal tissue growth on the external surface of the body. It heals tissue damage and ensures that there is no scar formation after the polyps has subsided. Healthy blood flow in the body also cleanses the body of various toxins. You can take the extract or supplement containing Angelica root for healing polyps.

12. Use marshmallow to get rid of throat polyps

Marshmallow is one of the best herbal remedies for polyps. Known botanically as Althaea Officinalis, this herb has a number of nutrients such as beta carotene, vitamins C and E as well as enzymes which strengthen the immune system functioning and shrink polyps. The nutrients and chemical compounds found in Marshmallow reduce the swelling and prevent the inflammation from expanding further.

Moreover, marshmallow reduces the size of the polyps and promote healthy recovery. While the roots, leaves and flowers of this herb have medicinal value, this herb is best when taken in extract or supplement form. You can also boil Marshmallow leaves in hot water, strain the liquid and consume it for best results.

13. Xanthium

Xanthium has been widely used as a home remedy for conditions such as rhinitis, sinusitis and throat polyps. Xanthium reduces the swelling and eases the mucous congestion which is causing the inflammation of the mucous membranes.

You can take this herb in the form of an extract or supplement for best results. This herb is native to East Asian countries and it is used in the traditional Chinese medicine system for making medicines to shrink nasal polyps. If you have allergy to Asters or you are suffering from diabetes, avoid this herbal remedy.

Sources and references

THROAT PROBLEMS: What are throat polyps?
New Health Guide: Throat polyps
Medscape: Vocal Polyps and Nodules Treatment & Management
Home Remedy: 6Best Home Remedies for Polyps
mddk: Throat Polyps
AYURVEDIC CURE: 9 Herbal remedies for polyps