Feels like a lump in my throat when swallowing

Overview

A lump in the throat is a scary finding for many people. Some people report that they have an issue swallowing as soon as they wake up. It feels like something is obstructing their food pipe. Drinking and eating becomes a challenge. The feeling of having a lump in the throat can be due to benign causes; however, sometimes a globus sensation could be an early sign of something more sinister. Therefore, you should always speak to a doctor to keep yourself safe.

What can a lump in my throat be mistaken for?

A lump in the throat or an abnormal globus sensation can be caused by several factors. Some of these factors are self-limiting and do not cause too much concern. Other conditions, however, might require prompt medical treatment. Here are some of the causes of a lump in the throat.

• Throat infections: Bacterial or viral infections of the throat, like strep throat, can inflame the lining of the pharynx or larynx. The inflammation can be so immense at times that it causes extreme discomfort and symptoms such as difficulty swallowing and feeling of a lump in the throat.
• Acid Reflux: Acid Reflux, or what doctors refer to as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), is a condition where stomach acid regurgitates into the esophagus, which eventually could damage the throat and cause a feeling of a lump.
• Postnasal drip: Allergic conditions such as sinusitis or allergic rhinitis can cause an increased production, leading to postnasal drip or mucus falling on the throat. This causes throat inflammation and irritation, making it feel like something is stuck in your throat.
• Stress: Anxiety or stress could cause a feeling called Globus hystericus, which feels like something is stuck in the throat, but there is nothing there.
• Enlarged Thyroid: People with hypothyroidism or goiter might feel a heaviness in their throat, and they are right; due to the enlargement of the thyroid gland, a patient might have a Globus sensation in the throat.
• Cancer: Usually, the first thing that comes to most people’s minds is that a lump in their throat could be cancer. And they are not always wrong. A lump in the throat can be a sign of a malignancy or a benign growth. In any case, it’s crucial that whenever you have a Globus sensation, you speak to a doctor to rule out any dangerous condition.

How do you relieve the feeling of something stuck in your throat?

In case the doctor rules out cancer and deduces that other conditions cause your Globus sensation, then the doctor will give you a prescription to treat those conditions since the sensation will only go away when the underlying condition is treated.

• Postnasal drip or allergies: Antihistamines or, in severe cases, steroids for throat inflammation might be prescribed. 
• Infected throat: Antibiotics or pain relief medicines such as NSAIDs might be suggested to decrease the severity of the infection and ultimately cure the feeling of something stuck in the throat.
• Anxiety and stress: Stress relievers, antidepressants or benzodiazepines such as Diazepam might be prescribed.
• Acid Reflux: PPIs such as Omeprazole or other medications such as Ranitidine can be prescribed to manage persistent acid reflux, which irritates the throat.
• Hypothyroidism: The doctor will give levothyroxine to supplement the lack of thyroid hormones that are not produced by the thyroid gland. This might eventually lead to the thyroid shrinking to its normal size or small enough to stop the Globus sensation.
• Cancers or Tumors: If you have a malignant growth in your throat, you might have to undergo surgical resection, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. Benign growths can also be surgically removed if they cause difficulty eating or swallowing.

Can globus sensation be prevented?

Globus sensations due to non-cancerous causes can only be prevented if you prevent the underlying condition from happening; therefore, in most cases, it’s hard to predict when you will have a condition that results in these abnormal sensations in the throat. On the other hand, the chance of coming across a malignant growth in the throat can be reduced if you follow a healthy regimen, avoiding smoking or chewing tobacco and keeping your Buccal Cavity (mouth) hygienic.

When to consult a doctor?

Since sometimes the feeling of something stuck in the throat can be a life-threatening sign, it’s always recommended to see a doctor if you are encountering abnormal globus sensations. However, certain factors should be immediately reported to a doctor:

• The sensation persists for weeks or months
• Changes in voice
• Difficulty breathing or eating
• Sudden weight loss
• Family history of cancer
• Lump that keeps growing

FAQs about lump in throat