A metaphor:

Suppose you had two children. One child is loquacious and glib, used to demanding and getting his way.

The other child can't talk, and you have to watch him to see if he's ill or in trouble. Yet he's good and he's loveable, deserving of your attention.
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The glib child is your left brain, which comes up with political, economic and ego reasons not to go to the doctor.

The silent child is your throat, which is asking for help by hurting and being sick.

Your throat has been asking for help for 4 weeks out of 14. It's time to have mercy on that defenseless 'child.'