New York, NY — Health experts across the globe are sounding the alarm as a bizarre new epidemic known as Clicky Throat spreads through communities at an alarming rate. The condition, which causes an unsettling "click" sound when people speak, has baffled doctors, confused the public, and, most alarmingly, is entirely preventable.
The Culprit? A Global Refusal to Drink Water.
Over the last few years, a curious trend has emerged—people are drinking anything and everything except water. Sparkling sodas, caffeine-infused energy drinks, neon-colored "sports" beverages, caramel-drenched lattes, and even cotton candy-flavored milkshakes have become the hydration choice for millions. Water, once heralded as the most essential drink, has now become "too boring" for the masses.
As a result, the human throat has begun to rebel.
What is "Clicky Throat"?
The condition, first identified by ENT specialists late last year, is characterized by a distinct clicking noise that occurs when a person speaks. It begins as a subtle sound, but quickly escalates to the point where sufferers can't utter a single sentence without sounding like they're playing castanets.
"It's like having maracas in your throat," said Karen Dewdrop, a 34-year-old Clicky Throat sufferer. "I didn’t notice it at first, but then my voice sounded like a broken typewriter. I tried everything to fix it: more frappuccinos, vitamin water, even kombucha—but nothing worked!"
The condition is also accompanied by a range of other symptoms, including:
- Throat Dryness: Despite drinking copious amounts of sugary and caffeinated beverages, the throat remains dry, causing a persistent scratchy feeling.
- Voice Squeaks: Alongside the clicking, many patients report their voice randomly squeaks like a rusty door hinge.
- Chronic Confusion: Many afflicted individuals simply can't understand why their throat isn't cooperating.
Doctors Baffled by Refusal to Drink Water
Medical experts have traced the root cause of the Clicky Throat epidemic to one glaring issue: dehydration. But the public remains in collective denial.
"People are shocked when we tell them they’re dehydrated," said Dr. Hydria Wells, head of the National Hydration Institute. "I can’t count the number of patients who’ve told me, ‘But I drink 10 sodas a day!’ They just don’t understand why their bodies aren’t properly hydrated when all they drink are sugary or caffeinated concoctions."
Studies show that sugary drinks and caffeine act as diuretics, which means they actively dehydrate the body rather than replenish fluids. Meanwhile, the body craves plain water, something the general public seems to have forgotten.
"I just thought water was for plants," said Jason Splurt, a self-proclaimed energy drink enthusiast who now suffers from Clicky Throat. "I don’t get it—if they can make sparkling energy drinks in every color of the rainbow, why hasn’t anyone made fun, colorful water?"
The Anti-Water Movement
Fueling the epidemic is the rise of the "Anti-Water Movement," a loosely organized group of influencers and celebrities who claim that water is "overrated" and promote alternative hydration methods such as kale-infused espresso shots and dehydrated coconut milk bubbles.
"#DownWithWater" has even become a trending hashtag, as millions of people across social media post their elaborate beverage concoctions and dismiss water as “basic” or “for amateurs.”
"I mean, water doesn’t even taste like anything!" said Tiffany Foam, an influencer with 2.3 million followers on her account “FrothyVibesOnly.” "Why would I drink that when I can have a cotton candy frappé with edible glitter? Water’s just, like, so 2005."
A Nation Clicks In Unison
As Clicky Throat spreads, it's becoming harder to ignore. From classrooms to boardrooms, the sound of people clicking mid-sentence is becoming a common occurrence. Social gatherings are filled with awkward pauses as friends try to navigate conversations without sounding like they’ve swallowed a box of tic-tacs.
"At first, I thought my throat was haunted," confessed Ron Wheeze, who had his first Clicky Throat attack during a Zoom meeting. "But when everyone else in the call started clicking too, I realized it was something worse—our collective refusal to drink water."
Can the Epidemic Be Stopped?
Experts say the solution is simple: drink water. Despite this obvious fix, many Clicky Throat sufferers remain resistant, continuing to gulp down brightly colored "beverages" while remaining confused about their condition.
Health officials are now launching a global campaign to reintroduce the public to the concept of hydration, starting with the slogan: “Water: It Won’t Sparkle, But Neither Will Your Throat!”
Will the world listen before it’s too late? Or will humanity continue to click its way through conversations, forever plagued by its thirst for anything but the most basic necessity of life?
Only time—and a glass of water—will tell.
