KANTA SHALOOKA, SWARABHEDA & KANTA KOOJANA

KANTA SHALOOKA, SWARABHEDA (HOARSENESS OF VOICE) & KANTA KOOJANA (STRIDOR) 

KANTA SHALOOKA

ETIOLOGY (NIDANA)

• According to Ayurveda, foreign body-like sensations in the throat (Shalooka) are due to agantu hetu or abhyantara hetu.

• Excessive intake of dry, rough, and unwholesome food causing irritation.

• Swallowing bones or sharp objects inadvertently.

• Vata-kapha prakopa due to exposure to cold wind or talking loudly and excessively.

• Psychological factors such as chinta (worry), shoka (grief), and bhaya (fear).

Sanskrit Reference:
अन्नपाने च मुष्ट्याघाते गर्जिते चात्युदायिते।
पार्श्वे चापीडने तीव्रे कम्पे च कण्ठशालुकम्॥
– Ashtanga Hridaya, Uttarasthana, 18/18

CLINICAL FEATURES (LAKSHANA)

• Sensation of foreign body impaction in the throat.

• Pain and discomfort while swallowing (odynophagia).

• Difficulty in breathing if the object is large or obstructive.

• Reflex cough, retching, or excess salivation.

• May produce sound upon breathing if lodged near the vocal cords.

TREATMENT (CHIKITSA)

• Snehana and Swedana to loosen the obstruction.

• Induced vomiting (Vamana) in cases where the object is lodged in the upper throat.

• Nasya karma with sneha dravyas to lubricate and soften the obstruction.

• If object is visible or palpable, manual removal using shalaka (probe or forceps).

• Shamana Chikitsa using anti-inflammatory decoctions like Yastimadhu phanta.

• If necessary, surgical intervention (Shastra karma).

MODERN CORRELATION

• Correlates with foreign body impaction in pharynx or larynx.

• Common in children (coin, beads, seeds).

• Immediate ENT evaluation using indirect laryngoscopy or flexible endoscopy.

• Removal under local or general anesthesia if necessary.

SWARABHEDA (HOARSENESS OF VOICE)

ETIOLOGY (NIDANA)

• Vata-kapha dosha vitiation affecting Swaravaha srotas.

• Excessive use of voice: shouting, singing, prolonged speech.

• Exposure to cold wind or dust.

• Upper respiratory tract infections.

• Ingestion of dry, spicy or irritating food.

• Smoking and alcohol.

Sanskrit Reference:
स्वरभेदोऽनिलात्कफात् स्वरस्योपरि वर्तते।
स्वरकुठ्यात्प्रभेदेन स्वरं हीनं करोति च॥
– Ashtanga Hridaya, Uttarasthana, 18/20

CLINICAL FEATURES (LAKSHANA)

• Change in normal voice – becomes hoarse, cracked or weak.

• Sore throat, discomfort in speaking.

• Dryness of throat and occasional cough.

• Aggravated in the morning or with use of voice.

TREATMENT (CHIKITSA)

• Yastimadhu ksheera paka or phanta for internal use.

• Kavala and Gandusha with medicated oils like Tila taila or Yashtimadhu siddha taila.

• Nasya karma using Anu taila or Shadbindu taila.

• Steam inhalation (Swedana) with Dashamoola kwatha or water vapor.

• Avoid voice strain, exposure to cold air.

MODERN CORRELATION

• Hoarseness of voice due to laryngitis (acute/chronic).

• Causes: Vocal cord nodules, Reinke’s edema, laryngeal infections, or malignancy.

• Investigations: Indirect laryngoscopy, video stroboscopy.

• Treatment includes voice rest, antibiotics (if infection), proton pump inhibitors (if reflux), and speech therapy.

KANTA KOOJANA (STRIDOR)

ETIOLOGY (NIDANA)

• Vata-kapha prakopa leading to obstruction or narrowing of Swaravaha srotas.

• Agantuja causes – foreign body, trauma, swelling.

• Shotha (inflammation) of laryngeal tissues.

• Tumors or abscesses in the airway.

• Congenital narrowing in children.

Sanskrit Reference:
कण्ठे कूजनवत्शब्दो वातकफाभिसंभवः।
गर्जितं कण्ठकूजनं स्वरभेदं करोति च॥
– Ashtanga Hridaya, Uttarasthana, 18/22

CLINICAL FEATURES (LAKSHANA)

• High-pitched inspiratory sound heard during breathing.

• Difficulty in breathing, especially during inspiration.

• Nasal flaring, intercostal retraction, and cyanosis in severe cases.

• Restlessness, anxiety due to air hunger.

TREATMENT (CHIKITSA)

• Nasya with Sneha dravyas to pacify Vata.

• Yavagu (gruel) prepared with Yastimadhu, Shunthi to soothe inflammation.

• Snehana and Swedana to relieve local stambha (stiffness).

• Vamana and Virechana in chronic cases with dosha dominance.

• Shastra karma (surgical intervention) if obstruction is severe.

MODERN CORRELATION

• Stridor is a clinical sign of upper airway obstruction.

• Seen in laryngomalacia (infants), foreign body aspiration, epiglottitis, laryngeal tumors, or diphtheria.

• Medical emergency in severe cases.

• Diagnostic tools: Flexible laryngoscopy, neck X-ray, CT scan.

• Treatment involves airway management, oxygen therapy, adrenaline nebulization, steroids, or tracheostomy if needed.

COMMON AYURVEDIC MEDICINES USED

• Yastimadhu Churna – soothing demulcent for throat.

• Kantakari Ghrita – for stridor and hoarseness.

• Dashamoola Kwatha – anti-inflammatory and srotoshodhana.

• Sitopaladi Churna – with honey for hoarseness and dry cough.

• Talisadi Churna – useful in kapha-related throat issues.