Feeling as if something is lodged in the back of your throat is a common experience known medically as globus pharyngeus or globus sensation. This sensation is not painful, but it can be bothersome. It is frequently a harmless and temporary feeling, distinct from actual difficulty or pain when swallowing food or liquids.
Common Reasons for the Sensation
A frequent cause of this sensation is acid reflux, including conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), sometimes called “silent reflux.” When stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus and throat, it can irritate the lining, leading to a feeling of tightness or a lump. This irritation can cause the throat muscles to tense.
Post-nasal drip, where excess mucus drains down the back of the throat, can also contribute to this sensation. This mucus can irritate the throat, leading to a feeling of a lump or the need to constantly clear the throat. Allergies, colds, flu, and sinus infections are common causes of increased mucus production and post-nasal drip.
Anxiety and stress are significant factors that can trigger or worsen the globus sensation. When experiencing heightened emotions or stress, the muscles in the throat and neck can tense, creating a feeling of tightness or a lump. This muscle tension can increase pressure in the throat area.
Dry throat can also lead to a similar sensation. Insufficient hydration or environmental factors can cause the throat tissues to feel irritated or constricted. Smoking or vaping can also inflame throat tissues.
Self-Care Strategies for Relief
Staying well-hydrated is an effective self-care measure to alleviate the sensation. Sipping water frequently can help relax the throat muscles and moisten irritated tissues, which may reduce the feeling of a lump. Aim to drink at least 1.5 liters (approximately 6 cups) of water daily.
Avoiding irritants can also provide relief. This includes reducing or eliminating smoking, as tobacco smoke can directly irritate the throat lining. Limiting consumption of certain foods and drinks, such as spicy foods, fried or fatty foods, acidic items, alcohol, and caffeine, can help, especially if acid reflux is a contributing factor.
Managing stress through relaxation techniques can be beneficial, as anxiety often exacerbates throat tension. Practices like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga may help relax the muscles in the neck and throat. Simple throat exercises, such as exaggerated chewing motions or wide yawns, can also help loosen tense throat muscles.
When to Consult a Doctor
While globus sensation is often harmless, certain symptoms warrant medical attention. If you experience persistent pain in your throat or neck, consult a healthcare provider. Difficulty swallowing food or liquids (dysphagia), or pain during swallowing (odynophagia), are concerning signs that require evaluation.
Unexplained weight loss is another symptom that should prompt a medical visit, as it can indicate a more serious underlying condition. Hoarseness, especially if it persists, or a visible or palpable lump in the neck or throat, are also reasons to seek medical advice. If the sensation continues for an extended period despite self-care efforts, or if symptoms progressively worsen, a doctor’s consultation is advisable.
Medical Diagnosis and Treatment Options
When seeking medical attention for globus sensation, a doctor will begin with a medical history and physical examination. To identify the underlying cause, various diagnostic procedures may be performed. These can include a nasolaryngoscopy, where a flexible scope is inserted through the nose to visualize the throat and upper esophagus.
If acid reflux is suspected, tests such as pH monitoring, which measures acid levels in the esophagus over 24 hours, or esophageal manometry, which assesses the function and coordination of esophageal muscles, may be conducted. An endoscopy, involving a scope to view the upper digestive tract, may also be performed to rule out physical obstructions or inflammation.
Treatment approaches depend on the identified cause. For reflux-related globus, medications like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often prescribed to reduce stomach acid production. If post-nasal drip is the cause, nasal sprays may be recommended. For globus linked to muscle tension, speech therapy can be beneficial, as therapists teach exercises to relax throat muscles. In cases where anxiety or depression significantly contribute, antidepressants or cognitive-behavioral therapy may be considered.