Globus sensation, the feeling of a lump in your throat

Globus sensation is discomfort or a lump in the throat. Even so, a throat that feels lumpy doesn't hurt, but it can be very annoying. You will usually be worried that you will have difficulty swallowing or choking on food because of this lump in your throat. In general, globus sensation is not caused by a serious health problem and can be resolved through home care and medical treatment.

Get to know the globus sensation

The globus sensation causes discomfort, as if something is stuck in the throat. Most people who experience it feel like a lump is blocking or like food is stuck in their throat.

Apart from feeling lumpy, the throat also feels itchy but does not hurt in contrast to dysphagia which causes a person to have difficulty swallowing food. This disorder will usually be more pronounced when you eat or drink. Globus sensation can appear for a long time and may recur after it goes away.

On the study entitled Pharyngeus globus, the first known case of the globus sensation appeared about 2,500 years ago. However, it wasn't until 1707 that John Purcell described the condition as pressure on the thyroid cartilage, the gland around the throat, caused by contractions of the neck muscles.

Doctors had previously suspected that reports of a lump in the throat had something to do with temporary hysteria (excessive fear). This is because most patients complain of a lump in their neck, but when checked there is nothing.

Therefore, the sensation of lump in the throat is often associated with emotional disturbances caused by side effects menopause, anxiety disorder, or stress.

It was not until 1968 that globus cases referred not only to psychological disorders, but also to physiological diseases. About 4% of cases of globus sensation are caused by conditions around the ear, nose, and throat (ENT).

The cause of a lump in the throat

Globus sensation is a fairly common throat disorder and can affect anyone.

However, diagnosing the cause of the globus sensation is not easy because as explained earlier this disorder can be caused by various diseases. The feeling of sticking up can also be caused by food stuck in the throat.

The following are some of the conditions that can cause a lumpy throat sensation:

1. Inflammation of the throat

Of the cases, globus sensation is generally a symptom caused by inflammation around the throat. Sore throat causes the throat to become dry and the muscles around it are pulled, causing a lumpy sensation.

Inflammatory conditions in the throat (pharyngitis) are usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection that causes inflammation in several parts of the throat, namely the tonsils (tonsillitis), epiglottis (epiglottitis), and vocal cords (laryngitis).

In addition to a lump in the throat, other symptoms such as a burning, sore, and sore throat may also be experienced.

2.GERD (stomach acid reflux)

Acid reflux disease or GERD, which causes acid to rise into the esophagus, can cause a globus sensation.

Besides being able to cause irritation in the esophagus and throat, increased stomach acid can also put pressure on the muscles in this area, causing a lump sensation.

It is known that as many as 68 percent of people who experience the condition globus are mostly related to problems with stomach acid.

3. Stress and anxiety disorders

There are several links between psychological conditions and sensation in the globus. Several studies have found that psychological stresses such as stress, depression, and anxiety are closely associated with the appearance of feelings of choking or lump in the throat.

Likewise, someone who has a traumatic disorder who often feels a globus sensation when he is reminded of the traumatic events he has experienced.

However, further research is still needed to determine a clear relationship between psychological factors and globus sensation.

4. Thyroid disease

A person who has a thyroid disorder may also experience globus sensation. This symptom is more common in people who have an active thyroid disorder or as a side effect of thyroidectomy, a procedure that requires removing part or all of the thyroid gland.

5. Food stuck in the throat

You will usually feel a lump in your throat when food gets stuck in your throat. This can be caused by not chewing food properly or being swallowed by a hard, sharp texture such as candy or fish spines.

How to deal with a lump in the throat

There is no definite treatment for globus sensation. Treatment for this throat disorder will depend on the disease that caused it.

1. Home care

Globus sensation caused by strep throat and GERD is usually harmless and even the feeling of being stuck can go away on its own.

Both of these conditions can still be treated with home remedies for strep throat. You can drink more fluids and take drugs such as pain relievers or antacids and H-2 blocker drugs such as ranitidine to reduce stomach acid levels.

You also need to avoid fatty, sour, or spicy foods until the feeling stuck in your throat is completely gone.

For foods that are stuck in the throat, you can drink a lot of water or swallow other foods so that they can carry the stuck food down into the digestive tract.

However, this method of overcoming a lump in the throat is not necessarily effective for every condition, especially if symptoms persist for a long time or even recur frequently.

This condition requires medical treatment such as antibiotics for strep throat if it is caused by a bacterial infection.

2. Medical care

For stress factors and anxiety disorders, sore throat disorders can be treated by overcoming the causes of stress and anxiety.

Those of you who often experience globus sensation and are associated with psychological disorders need to get medical help through medication, counseling, and therapy.

Your doctor may recommend antidepressant medication along with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or other methods to reduce anxiety.

A throat that feels lumpy but doesn't hurt can be caused by a variety of things, from strep throat, psychological disorders to stuck food.

If you experience continuous globus sensation, especially if you experience choking and difficulty breathing, you should seek medical help immediately.