How it feels and what is important for the doctor
People describe the lump in different ways: like a ball, pressure, scratching, the urge to constantly swallow or cough. The doctor’s key question is whether swallowing itself is impaired. In a normal coma, food and water pass freely, and the sensation is stronger when swallowing saliva and at rest. If solid food gets stuck, you have to wash it down with water or choking occurs, this is dysphagia - another symptom that requires examination of the esophagus. Also important are the duration of the complaint, association with food, heartburn, hoarseness, stress and weight changes.
- A lump usually does not interfere with swallowing food
- Intensifies when swallowing saliva and with excitement
- May decrease with meals
- Dysphagia - food getting stuck - a separate symptom
- Duration, heartburn, hoarseness and weight are important
Common reasons
The first most important reason is gastroesophageal reflux disease, in which gastric contents enter the esophagus and pharynx, irritating the mucous membrane; then there is heartburn, sour taste, morning hoarseness and coughing. The second group is chronic pharyngitis and tonsillitis, postnasal drip of mucus due to rhinitis and sinusitis. The third is muscle tension and problems of the cervical spine. Separately, there is an enlarged thyroid gland or a large node that compresses neighboring structures. Finally, coma often accompanies an anxiety disorder when the sensation intensifies during stressful periods.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Chronic pharyngitis and tonsillitis
- Postnasal drip with rhinitis and sinusitis
- Enlarged thyroid gland, nodes
- Neck muscle tension and cervical osteochondrosis
- Anxiety disorder
- Side effects of some drugs
When to exclude dangerous diseases
Most cases of lump in the throat are benign, but there are situations in which examination should not be delayed. Worries include difficulty swallowing solid food, pain when swallowing, radiating to the ear, hoarseness for more than three weeks, losing weight without dieting, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and blood in the sputum. Such signs require examination by an ENT doctor with an endoscopic examination of the pharynx and larynx, and, if necessary, gastroscopy. Particular attention is paid to smokers and people over fifty years of age, who have a higher risk of tumors of the pharynx, larynx and esophagus.
- Dysphagia, feeling of food being stuck
- Pain when swallowing radiating to the ear
- Hoarseness longer than 3 weeks
- Weight loss
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
- Smoking and age over 50 years
Survey
An examination by an otorhinolaryngologist with an endoscopic examination of the pharynx and larynx allows you to see inflammation, mucus flow, changes in the vocal folds and exclude a neoplasm. An ultrasound of the thyroid gland and lymph nodes in the neck shows nodes and enlargement of the gland, and a TSH test evaluates its function. If there is heartburn, sour taste and night cough, gastroscopy is prescribed to evaluate the esophagus and stomach. If you complain of neck pain and dizziness, a neurologist is consulted. If all studies are normal, the diagnosis is formulated as a functional lump associated with tension and anxiety.
- Examination by an ENT doctor with endoscopy
- Ultrasound of the thyroid gland and lymph nodes of the neck
- TSH
- Gastroscopy for heartburn and sour taste
- Consultation with a neurologist for neck pain
- Consultation with a psychotherapist for anxiety
What helps
The tactics depend on the cause found. For reflux, proton pump inhibitors prescribed by a doctor, small meals, refusal to eat three hours before bed, raising the head of the bed, weight loss and quitting smoking help. When you have pharyngitis, it is important to humidify the air, drink enough water, and treat nasal diseases. When a coma has an alarming origin, breathing practices, working with a psychotherapist, normalizing sleep and routine, and sometimes drug support are effective. It is useful not to test your throat by constantly swallowing: this enhances the sensation and completes the circle.
- Treatment of reflux according to the doctor's regimen
- Do not eat 3 hours before bedtime, raise the head of the bed
- Quitting smoking and strong alcohol
- Humidify the air and drink enough fluids
- Treatment of chronic rhinitis and sinusitis
- Working with anxiety and breathing exercises
- Do not swallow constantly, checking the sensation
