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WHY DOES MY THROAT GET DRY AND MY VOICE GET HOARSE?
We all have occasions when we develop a dry, sore scratchy throat and a hoarse, tired voice - we call it laryngitis.   This is not always a correct diagnostic term, but it is descriptive -  possibly because tissues in the larynx or vocal apparatus are inflammed- sound is distorted.   Often it's caused by excessive vocalizing: too much speaking, singing, cheering at games or concerts, shouting, etc.

Inhaled air almost always is drier than the body would prefer because heating in cold weather as well as conditioning in hot weather removes moisture.  When this dry air flows through the throat's passageways, its mucosal cover loses moisture via evaporation.  As a consequence, this coating or lining becomes too viscous to flow properly and it cannot keep the underlying sensitive membranes moist.   These surfaces can become dehydrated even if one is not doing an unusual amount of talking or singing or yelling.

Other reasons: maybe the dry irritated throat is due to an unfavorable atmosphere like smoke or dust, or maybe it's an after-effect from a cold or cough or the result of surgery or therapy.  Allergies can cause the mucus to form a thick and congested mass.  Whatever the cause, the throat feels uncomfortable and, because a dry vocal fold does not vibrate like a moist one, vocal quality is impaired.

WHY DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT?
A dry throat is uncomfortable and a persistently dry throat is more susceptible to inflammation and infection - problems which nobody needs.  A hoarse voice handicaps our ability to perform our job or participate in a favorite activity.  It is annoying to the person doing the vocalizing and equally irritating and distracting to the listener.

A few of us, radio announcers and opera singers, for example, have jobs that absolutely demand one's very best voice all the time.   However, a far greater number of us are involved in everyday activities that require a degree of vocal quality, e.g. conversing, explaining, teaching, presenting, or selling - if we want to optimize our opportunity to communicate.  A scratchy hoarse voice is frustrating to both parties. The audience, whether it is one person or an auditorium full, is short-changed, receiving less than the speaker or singer is capable of delivering.

WHY NOT JUST DRINK WATER?
Drinking lots of water is good, a healthy and a smart idea for many reasons.  Before extended periods of vocalizing one should drink a lot of water.  But the water passes through the esophagus into the digestive system and must get into the circulatory system before it can be delivered to specific dehydrated areas such as the throat or larynx.  Very little ingested water comes into direct contact with these dehydrated surfaces.  Frequent, often inconvenient bathroom breaks become necessary.  Moreover, even with copious fluid intake to achieve systemic hydration, the body's mucous-secreting glands often just can't produce enough replacement moisturizing materials quickly enough to keep up with the increased need.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER BEVERAGES?
Some people find fruit juices and other water-based fluids a better tasting alternative, but many drinks are counter- productive.  For example, alcohol and caffeine both exert a drying effect; paradoxically, the more one drinks the dryer the local membranes and total system becomes.   Even sugar or acid (e.g. carbonation or citric acid) in drinks reduces the effectiveness of  these beverages as humidifiers and makes them less efficient than plain water.