When you have a sore throat, it’s common to feel as though something is lodged in your throat. This unsettling sensation is usually linked to inflammation or irritation, not a foreign object, creating a feeling of obstruction.
Common Sore Throat Causes for the Sensation
Inflammation and swelling are key reasons a sore throat can cause a stuck sensation. Inflamed tissues, like tonsils or the pharynx, can swell and narrow the throat passage. This narrowing makes the throat feel obstructed or tight, even without a foreign object.
Post-nasal drip also contributes to this uncomfortable feeling. Mucus from the nose and sinuses can drip down the throat, especially when irritated. This mucus accumulation can feel like a lump or foreign object, causing an urge to clear the throat.
Throat muscles can also tense or spasm due to pain and irritation from a sore throat. This tension can cause a feeling of tightness or a lump, known as globus sensation. Constant discomfort can cause these muscles to contract, worsening the stuck feeling.
Other Factors Causing a Stuck Feeling
Other conditions can mimic or intensify the feeling of something stuck in the throat. Acid reflux, or GERD, is a common culprit. Stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus and throat can irritate the lining, causing a persistent lump or tightness, often called globus sensation. This can occur with or be mistaken for a sore throat, as acid causes burning and soreness.
Psychological factors like anxiety and stress can also cause a lump sensation in the throat, known as globus pharyngeus. This feeling is real, even without a physical obstruction, and can worsen with a sore throat. It’s often described as a painless lump or tightness that doesn’t affect swallowing food or liquids.
When to See a Doctor
While a stuck sensation with a sore throat is often benign, certain symptoms warrant medical consultation. If you experience actual difficulty swallowing food or liquids (dysphagia), seek medical attention. This differs from globus sensation, where swallowing is not impaired.
Breathing difficulties, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, or noisy breathing, are serious red flags requiring immediate medical evaluation. A sore throat and the stuck sensation lasting longer than a few days, worsening, or recurring frequently also warrant a doctor’s visit.
Other concerning symptoms include unexplained weight loss, prolonged hoarseness or voice changes lasting over two weeks, or any visible lump in the neck. A high fever with severe throat pain also warrants professional medical assessment. These symptoms could point to underlying conditions requiring specific diagnosis and treatment.
Finding Relief at Home
Several self-care measures can alleviate sore throat discomfort and the stuck feeling. Sucking on throat lozenges or hard candies stimulates saliva, keeping the throat moist and soothing irritation. Certain lozenges with ingredients like flurbiprofen or benzydamine hydrochloride can also provide pain relief.
Drinking warm liquids like herbal tea with honey, warm water, or broths offers soothing relief and keeps the throat hydrated. Honey is effective in soothing irritated throats. Gargling with salt water (half a teaspoon in eight ounces of warm water) can reduce inflammation and loosen mucus.
Using a humidifier, especially in your bedroom, adds moisture to the air, soothing swollen throat tissues and preventing dryness. Staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids is important, as dehydration can worsen throat dryness and inflammation. Avoiding irritants like smoke, dry air, and allergens can prevent further irritation and aid recovery.