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Health Care – Lump in Your Throat?

Posted on | September 1, 2009 | 2 Comments

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It feels like a little ball in your throat. You’re aware of the lump each time you swallow. You try to get rid of it by drinking water, clearing your throat, swallowing hard. But it’s still there. And it’s annoying, even disconcerting. So you decide to have it checked.

Your doctor examines your throat thoroughly and finds nothing wrong. Yet when you swallow, it’s there again.

Is it an allergy? Postnasal drip? Sinus condition? You schedule another visit to your doctor. Again your doctor finds nothing wrong. Now you ask yourself, “If it’s not in my throat, is it all in my head?” The answer is yes. And no.

What’s It Called?
The medical term is globus (GLOW-bus) sensation or globus syndrome. It’s a common but confusing condition originally named globus hystericus, probably because of its potential connection to stress, anxiety and panic.

lump in throat

Have you ever used expressions such as “I got choked up” or “The words stuck in my throat”? At the end of an emotional scene in a movie, have you ever felt the need to clear your throat? If you have, then you’ve experienced the relationship between your emotional system and your throat.

When you feel anxious, depressed or stressed, the small muscular opening (pharynx) in the lower part of your throat begins to tense. The tension in your throat tells your brain something is there, even when nothing is there.

Have It Diagnosed
Of course, if the condition persists, see your doctor. A diagnosis does require more than a tongue depressor, but the methods are simple and painless.

A mirror about the size of a nickel is placed on the roof of your mouth (palate). It reflects a good view of your throat and voice box (larynx). Your nose and throat are sprayed numb with a local anesthetic. Then a tiny, flexible scope is eased through your nostril and hovers above your throat for a thorough examination.

While you sip a flavored, chalky mixture (barium), videotape records each swallow. a slow-motion playback shows any problems. In special cases, a new process called manofluorography combines the videotape with pressure readings to show the force and timing of your throat muscle functions.

What’s the Cause?
Many things can cause this uncomfortable feeling :
> Stress, anxiety and depression
> Medications for high blood pressure or depression
> Antihistamines
> A recent cough or cold
> A hiatal hernia
> Overweight
> Acid indigestion, particularly at night if you overeat, especially fatty foods or chocolate.

“It’s a diagnosis of exclusion,” says Bruce W. Pearson, a Mayo Clinic ear, nose and throat physician. “Let’s say your larynx and pharynx work perfectly. Your mucous membranes look normal. Your voice really hasn’t changed. You can swallow a steak dinner. Then we rule out serious disease or malfunction and look for other causes.”

You may have a strong gag reflex. You might lack mucus, which can be a side effect of a blood pressure medication, an antihistamine or a mood-elevating drug. Age, alcohol and coffee also are factors.

“However,” says Pearson, “a commonly unrecognized factor is stomach acid slipping upwards into the long tube (esophagus) berween your throat and stomach. Your esophagus reacts to acid coming up. So it tightens its upper valve at the bottom of your throat, and it feels like a lump in your throat.”

How to Get Rid of It
You or your doctor may not be able to pin down the cause of globus sensation. But these suggestions may be enough to make it go away :
> Change your medication
If you take hypertension pills or other medications, ask your doctor if switching to another prescription could help.

> Deal with dry mouth
Drink at least eight glasses of water daily; also use a nasal spray device filled with salt water. Chew sugarless gum or suck on lozenges that are tasty and stimulate saliva.

> Avoid hearburn
Take antacids at night. Don’t go to bed on a full stomach. Avoid alcohol, chocolate and fatty meals. Lose weight if you need to.

> Don’t attempt self-diagnosis
Remember that throat difficulties can signal a serious disease, such as cancer. So be sure to see your doctor. Then try not to worry. Globus sensation can be unpleasant and even irritating, but it’s not life-threatening.

Category: Throat
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Comments

2 Responses to “Health Care – Lump in Your Throat?”

  1. Dawn Kingsbury
    January 2nd, 2011 @ 02:59

    I have had this problem for almost 3 years now…..although I don’t panic as much, I do have my special place that I go if it is really bad! I lay on my bed and stare at the ceiling fan..my way of meditation! It is there…you can’t tell me it isn’t…and it is not just caused by GERDS or stress, or anxiety or what have you…it is real! It is not life threatening, you are dying, but it is life altering! It has changed my life completely! However, add to my plate that I am in meopause….yes, full plate! If anybody has any real answers, I would appreciate any feed back. I have had every test a GI doctor can order…I do have GERDS…I do take muscle relaxants that help…..and you have to do whatever works for you to get through the day! It is tough, because it is invisible to everybody else. It gets etremely worse when I exercise or if I over exert myself..which nobody can answer for me!

    Thanks for listening!

    Sincerely,
    dawn Kingsbury

  2. Michael
    June 18th, 2011 @ 18:21

    I have a lump in my throat too but its not life threating its natural. Its actully a defense system thats why its hard for you to swollow and it hurts cause its blocks your throat from Stomach acid. If you have had it for 3 years go to your docter idmitily

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