Many people know the feeling of having an annoying lump in the throat. Often this feeling is accompanied by coughing and throat clearing, sometimes it also leads to a gag reflex. There are various causes for this tightness in the throat, in addition to organic causes, a lump in the throat can also be psychological.
What is a lump in the throat?
If one speaks of a lump in the throat, this refers to an annoying foreign body sensation in the throat and pharynx. The affected person experiences an unpleasant feeling of tightness as a result. A lump in the throat is a disturbing foreign body sensation in the throat and pharynx. The affected person experiences an unpleasant feeling of tightness. Many patients fear respiratory distress and are correspondingly tense and worried. Depending on the severity, this can also lead to uncontrolled coughing, the constant urge to clear the throat, or even gagging. The throat feels constricted, as if a foreign body is stuck in it, which can be perceived as hard or soft. The lump in the throat, colloquially often referred to as a frog in the throat, is called globus sensation in medical circles and must be treated specifically depending on the trigger. The causes can be very different, so a careful diagnosis is necessary before therapy.
Causes
The development of a lump in the throat can have many different causes. An insect bite may be the cause, or an allergy triggered by food. Tumors (e.g., on the vocal cords or larynx) or outpouchings (diverticula) on the esophagus can also be responsible for the feeling of tightness. In thyroid patients, an enlargement of the thyroid gland can produce this feeling, but angina or lateral gangrene or pharyngitis also causes the foreign body sensation. People suffering from reflux disease (stomach acid flows back into the esophagus) may also suffer from a lump in the throat. Psychological causes, such as stress, are also not uncommon. More harmless causes of this feeling, on the other hand, would be scars from past surgeries. Also hasty food intake, too little chewing and thus swallowing too large pieces of food can give the feeling of a lump in the throat.
Diseases with this symptom
- Allergy
- Side Strangangina
- Pharyngitis
- Tumor
- Esophageal diverticulum
- Thyroid enlargement
- Vocal fold polyp
- Laryngeal cancer
- Reflux disease
Diagnosis and course
The feeling of having a lump in the throat can be very disturbing for those affected and therefore a doctor should always be consulted if the discomfort persists. Especially because there are not only harmless causes for this discomfort, medical clarification is advised. Through a detailed diagnosis, the cause can be found and then it can be decided whether and what further measures are necessary. First, the doctor will talk to the patient to explain the symptoms in detail and whether they occur regularly, rarely or permanently. It then makes sense to first visually examine the throat and pharynx, possibly an endoscopic examination by an ear, nose and throat specialist is appropriate and the family doctor will issue a referral. To rule out thyroid disease, a blood test is first needed to determine thyroid levels. If a reflux disorder is suspected, a gastroscopy may provide helpful results. If no physical causes can be found, a psychosomatic cause may be considered. How quickly an improvement in symptoms occurs depends entirely on the diagnosis.
Complications
A lump or nodule in the throat should be clarified, regardless of the cause, because the anatomic proximity to the trachea can cause respiratory distress. In addition, there are also speech and swallowing difficulties. In about one in four cases, in addition to the lump in the throat, there is also a regurgitation of stomach acid (reflux), which leads to heartburn and irritation of the mucous membrane of the throat and esophagus. Another cause that can cause a lump in the neck is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland that leads to hypothyroidism. Typically, the disease causes the characteristic goiter on the neck.As a complication, heart weakness (cardiac insufficiency) can develop, which can even lead to circulatory arrest. Other consequences include general weakness and an increased risk of suffering from depression. In the worst case, myxedema coma can occur. In addition, the risk of developing carcinoma is increased. In newborns, too, if the pregnant mother suffers from hypothyroidism, consequential damage can occur. Thus, heart and kidney damage are more frequently observed in children, as well as a developmental disorder both physically and mentally. Diverticula in the esophagus also cause typical nodular sensations in the throat. These can become inflamed and cause diverticulitis. This can lead to abscess formation and internal bleeding.
When should you see a doctor?
The feeling of having a lump in the throat (called a globus sensation) is harmless in many cases, but may require a visit to the doctor under certain circumstances. In general, a visit to the doctor is advised if the feeling of a lump in the throat has already existed for a long period of time and if the symptoms worsen. In addition, those affected should consult a physician if symptoms such as weight loss and fever occur in addition to the globus sensation (systemic symptoms). Additional swelling in the neck area or swollen lymph nodes should also be examined by a physician. A visit to the doctor is also necessary if there is a change in the voice. Furthermore, a medical examination is advised if the lump in the throat is felt to be painful or if ear pain occurs as a symptom. This is also true if the symptoms are felt only on one side. If the feeling of a lump in the throat is accompanied by the backflow of food pulp from the stomach (regurgitation), disturbances in swallowing (dysphagia) or breathing difficulties, these are also clear warning symptoms with which those affected should present themselves to the doctor. If surgery or radiation has already been performed in the head and neck region, patients should generally seek medical advice if they experience a globus sensation. Heavy smoking and regular alcohol consumption are other reasons for patients with a lump in the throat to see a doctor.
Treatment and therapy
The treatment of a lump in the throat depends on the cause, so a detailed diagnosis is important. Physical causes can usually be treated very well with medication. In the case of thyroid disease, there are special drugs that compensate for the disorder. Likewise, in the case of inflammation (e.g. angina or pharyngitis), an improvement can usually be achieved very quickly with medication. In the case of colds as the cause of the lump in the throat, it usually takes only a few days for the symptoms to subside, even without medication. If a tumor is found to be responsible for the feeling of a lump in the throat, simple medication is sometimes no longer sufficient and chemotherapy or radiation may be necessary. In worse cases, surgery to remove the tumor tissue may be unavoidable. If the problem is psychological, stress-reduction measures may help the patient. In severe cases, psychotherapy may be necessary. Certain medications can also be used to support this. If physical and psychological causes can be ruled out, the doctor can only advise the patient to pay more attention to the way he or she eats. Meals should always be chewed thoroughly and under no circumstances should too large quantities be swallowed at once.
Outlook and prognosis
A lump in the throat can be triggered by a situation in which a particularly high level of stress is experienced. Before an exam or an important appointment, this is often the case. After coping with the situation, spontaneous healing occurs in most cases. In the case of prolonged tense living conditions or the experience of a fateful event, the symptoms may appear as a result of psychosomatic suffering. There is a good chance of healing if the affected person is willing to accept emotional help. If the lump in the throat is caused by an allergic reaction, the affected person can have an allergy test to find out which substance is responsible. This can be avoided in the future or treated with medication. If there is a foreign body in the throat, it is normally removed completely. Often it is enough to cough. Alternatively, a doctor can provide relief. Afterwards, the affected person is free of complaints.A globus sensation can also be triggered by inflammation. Within a few days or weeks, the feeling disappears completely. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment is given or the symptoms are minimized as a result of a natural progression. After surgical procedures on the neck or in the jaw and throat area, patients often report an unpleasant globus sensation due to the scars. These can be well treated and minimized via laser beam therapy.
Prevention
Not every cause of a lump in the throat can actually be prevented. Basically, a balanced lifestyle with a healthy diet and sufficient relaxation periods is a good prevention against many diseases. This keeps the immune system going and spares the body from stress.
What you can do yourself
A lump in the throat is usually harmless and can be solved with various home remedies and measures. First, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids and gargle to relieve the globus syndrome in a natural way. If the complaints are based on stress or anxiety, relaxation methods such as yoga or gymnastics help, as do conversations with a trusted person. Bed rest and relaxation can usually also alleviate the unpleasant feeling in the throat. If the globus syndrome is caused by an allergy or another underlying condition, this must first be treated. In the case of a cold, the usual remedies such as sleep and mild medication are sufficient. In addition, home remedies such as lemon, warm milk with honey and herbal tea help. If heartburn is added to the globus syndrome, healing clay, ginger, silica and bitters prove their worth. With psychologically caused complaints naturopathy helps in the form of Osteopathie or the “Sensomotorischen body therapy“. If incorrect posture or tension is the trigger, exercise or a massage will alleviate the discomfort. Breathing and speaking exercises, as well as other measures of sensorimotor body therapy, can be performed independently after brief instruction by a medical professional, and promise to improve globus sensation and overall well-being.