Every day, we all swallow about 600 times and don’t usually give the process a second thought; once the food is in the mouth, the rest of it just happens. That’s how it works for most of us, at least. For those who have Cricopharyngeal Spasms, the simple act of swallowing has become a problem – one that is experienced over and over each day.
Natural Remedies for Cricopharyngeal Spasm
The most common cause of Cricopharyngeal Spasm is anxiety and stress. We all experience some degree of stress, but this problem usually appears when the stress is greater than normal. Eating nuts or seeds seems to trigger the spasms for some people, but stress is the primary cause for most of those with this condition.
In time, Cricopharyngeal Spasm will disappear, but there are many natural remedies that will make the condition much easier to live with in the meantime. Earth Clinic readers have told us about many of their favorite ways to relieve the stress and discomfort of Cricopharyngeal Spasm.
Rhodiola - A Potent Antidote to Stress
Rhodiola has long been used as an energy-booster and a treatment for mental fatigue by those living in the arctic regions of Asia and Europe. In more recent years, Rhodiola has become widely used in the west to relieve the effects of stress and enhance the health of the nervous system. Rhodiola is widely available as a capsule, extract or tea.
Herbal Teas – Soothing and Delicious
Sipping any warm tea can be helpful in relieving the ‘tight throat’ feeling, but some teas are particularly calming. Some good choices are valerian, chamomile, lemon balm, passionflower, Siberian ginseng (Eleutheroccus senticosus) and Indian ginseng (Ashwagandha).
Brewing Herbal Teas
- Teabags are convenient and many herbal teas are available in this form.
- For dried herbs, the general rule of thumb is 1 teaspoon of dried herb to 1 cup of water. Of course, check the package for specific recommendations for that herb.
- If choosing fresh herbs, use about 3 tablespoons to 1 cup of water.
- Steep most herb teas for 5-10 minutes. Experiment to find the amount of herb and steeping time that works best for you.
5-HTP – Effective for Many Problems, Including Stress and Anxiety
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is produced from the seeds of a West African shrub; it increases the production of serotonin in the brain and nervous system. Some researchers believe that serotonin is the chemical that balances our moods and that too little serotonin leads to depression. In addition to anxiety, some of the other ailments treated with 5-HTP are tension headaches, sleep problems, PMS, binge eating and ADHD.
B Vitamins Help to Regulate Mood and Reduce Stress
B vitamins work with brain chemistry to regulate the body by balancing neurotransmitters and producing serotonin. These vitamins contain specific mood-boosting properties that help to reduce stress.
What is Cricopharyngeal Spasm?
People with Cricopharyngeal Spasm often feel as though they have a lump in the back of their throat. This may lead them to believe that they have cancer (a cancerous lump is not normally discovered until it is quite large). Fortunately, Cricopharyngeal Spasm is annoying and uncomfortable, but ultimately harmless and responds to natural remedies.
The problem is caused when the valves in the esophagus which normally contract and relax during the swallowing process begin to spasm instead. The spasms cause the following symptoms:
- The throat feels swollen and as if there is a ‘lump’ in the throat.
- The ‘lump’ may come and go or may remain for several months.
- It is easier to swallow food than it is to swallow saliva.
- The symptoms are often worse during the evening.
It is important to get a definitive diagnosis in order to rule out other possibilities, such as throat cancer. In fact, simply learning that one has a harmless, albeit uncomfortable, problem can help to reduce anxiety. Natural remedies can be very helpful in relieving stress and minimizing symptoms.
Keep reading below to discover remedies that worked for our readers to relieve this condition. If you have a remedy that worked for Cricopharyngeal Spasm, please let us know!
