Something is blocking your throat when swallowing: how dangerous is it?

Description of the problem and what the patient should do

When there is a lump in the throat, the patient mainly complains of a feeling of tightness and pressure in the neck, he clearly indicates the place where it is bothering and pressing. Naturally, this condition signals a malfunction in the body, and this symptom can be isolated, or appear in combination with other complaints.

It is difficult to eliminate this problem without preliminary diagnosis, and only a specific examination will clearly indicate ways to get rid of all sorts of obstructions in the throat, and answer the question: “Something is bothering me in the throat, what should I do?”

Even if you call the doctor by phone and complain about the feeling of a lump in your throat, no one will solve this problem over the phone; the doctor can only suspect a pathology, and only if he thoroughly knows the patient’s entire medical history.

Very often, patients react ambiguously to such a trivial symptom. Most people begin to give themselves “terrible” diagnoses, become cancerophobes, and even lose weight from “grief.”

Therefore, there is no need to invent something that does not exist (incurable diseases), read medical encyclopedias, find all the pathologies and engage in self-diagnosis. Something is bothering your throat, and this feeling does not go away for a day or two, this is a reason to consult a therapist or otolaryngologist.

If these specialists do not find the problem, they will definitely expand the scope of your examination and refer you to colleagues in other medical specialties.

There is something bothering the throat - causes and complaints of patients

Despite such a specific symptom, there may be enough reasons. The most common ones include the following:

Stressful situations - as a result of increased production of adrenaline, overstrain of the lower part of the throat muscles appears, and a kind of “hysterical” lump appears. Due to strong excitement, it is discovered that when swallowing something in the throat interferes, as if it is hindering normal inhalation.

When the patient calms down, this symptom disappears without a trace (usually it goes away within 1–2 hours). With prolonged stress, this feeling persists for a longer period.

Osteochondrosis - as a result of degenerative diseases of the cartilage and intervertebral discs, especially of the cervical spine, unpleasant symptoms in the throat are possible, and the patient has a feeling that something seems to be interfering with swallowing. This condition can be eliminated only through complex treatment of osteochondrosis.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - due to pathological processes in the gastrointestinal tract, a number of unpleasant symptoms are observed: pain in the stomach, belching, gastric juice entering the esophagus (it is an irritant to the pharynx), nausea, loss of appetite, heartburn, something in the throat and itches, others.

Endocrine disorders are pathological and functional disruptions in the functioning of the thyroid gland. Patients notice that it has become difficult to swallow saliva, and there seems to be something in the throat that is bothering them.

The most common cause of such failures is a lack of iodine in the body or an excess of thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland hypertrophies and compresses the throat. This condition requires consultation with an endocrinologist and correction of hormonal levels in the body. It is necessary to replenish iodine and regulate hormonal imbalances. In addition to a lump in the throat with endocrinological pathologies, there are other complaints.

Diseases of the ENT organs - against the background of viral and bacterial diseases (sore throat, tonsillitis, pharyngitis), a complaint may arise that everything in the throat hurts and bothers you. Indeed, with these pathologies, sharp hyperemia, swelling, and irritation occur, which provokes such feelings.

After the symptoms of ENT infections subside, the feeling of throat congestion goes away. To get rid of a lump in the throat more quickly, the otolaryngologist will suggest special anti-inflammatory and antiallergic therapy.

Cardiovascular failures - some functional failures provoke symptoms reminiscent of a feeling of a lump in the throat, or, as patients say, as if something is bothering the throat.

Such symptoms can be caused by frequent extrasystole, when the patient feels like everything is happening, a lump in the throat, somersaults, tickling, etc. Cardioneurosis also contributes to such sensations, but there is also a complaint of pain in the area of the heart.

Neoplasms of the pharynx and larynx - the growth of pathological tissues leads to compression of various parts of these organs, and this leads to the feeling that something is bothering the throat, and there is also an additional complaint that it has become difficult to breathe.

The feeling that something is bothering you in your throat can also appear for other reasons, but they are much less common. These include:

allergic reactions to food, medications, pollen and other allergens;
obesity;
injuries;
hit by a foreign object (more common in children, and then something bothers the child in the throat);
colonization by parasites (not many people know that a parasitic infection can “settle” everywhere, not only in the intestines, so in rare cases it is parasites that cause a lump in the throat);
other.

Symptoms

The feeling of a coma does not always require immediate contact with a specialist. This need arises when the following symptoms are present:

a similar feeling manifests itself after eating or a stressful situation, but it is not possible to find a lump;
breathing problems, a lump may block the path of air;
soreness and burning in the throat;
feeling of an unpleasant aftertaste in the throat or chest.

Even one of the symptoms described above may indicate a problem.

/ Symptoms / Feeling as if something is blocking your throat - what does a symptom mean?

The feeling of a lump in the throat is accompanied by a number of symptoms - dryness, pain, soreness. This symptom may indicate a variety of pathologies of an infectious, endocrine, or psychological nature. What to do if something bothers you in your throat?

Causes

In the neck area there are many structures - nerve plexuses, muscle tissue, blood vessels, respiratory tract. The thyroid gland is also located there. All these elements can provoke discomfort. If something seems to be bothering your throat, you need to undergo a number of examinations.

In children

If something bothers your child in his throat, it is associated with the following pathologies:

Sore throat and other infectious diseases. In such a situation, a lump in the throat, pain when swallowing, and hoarseness occurs. Sore throat is characterized by an important symptom - warm drinks do not improve the condition.
Emotional stress. In sensitive children, similar problems may arise against the background of experiences. Fears, stressful situations, quarrels with friends or family lead to nervous tension, which provokes spasms of muscle tissue and blood vessels. Often this problem is localized specifically in the throat area.
Inflammation or enlargement of the thyroid gland. In such a situation, the goiter produces mechanical pressure on the muscle tissue and larynx. This is what causes discomfort.
Damage to the esophagus. This anomaly is very rare in childhood. Most often it is caused by the consumption of spicy foods, which lead to severe irritation of the mucous membranes. If the uncomfortable sensation of a foreign body in the throat persists for more than a week, the baby should be shown to a gastroenterologist.

In adults

The feeling that something is bothering the throat often occurs in adults. Provoking factors include the following:

Inflammatory processes or viral infections - tracheitis, tonsillitis, ARVI. Any of these pathologies provokes swelling of the throat, palate, and tonsils. As a result, there is a feeling of a foreign body in the throat. A lump can be felt on one side or on both. In some cases, unpleasant symptoms occur only when swallowing, while in others they are constantly present, leading to breathing problems.
Pharyngitis and laryngitis. These pathologies represent a chronic inflammatory lesion of the larynx and ligaments. In such a situation, a hard and sharp lump is felt that prevents the person from speaking. Discomfort is constantly present, does not increase with swallowing and disappears only after the acute disease is eliminated.
Osteochondrosis. This pathology often provokes a feeling that something is stuck in the throat. Already from 18-25 years of age, the elasticity and thickness of the intervertebral discs decrease, which leads to the development of osteochondrosis. Little by little, the cartilage tissue becomes deformed, which leads to pinching of blood vessels and nerve fibers. Muscle spasms are also observed, which leads to impaired motor activity, dizziness and the appearance of a lump in the throat.
Pathologies of the stomach and esophagus. Most often, the appearance of discomfort is associated with the development of gastritis. This disease is characterized by an increase in the acidity of gastric juice. When it enters the esophagus, the mucous membranes are burned. As a result, an inflammatory process develops, which leads to spasms. This causes a feeling of a lump in the throat and a burning sensation, which intensifies after eating.
Inflammatory processes in the thyroid gland. When a nodular or diffuse goiter appears, compression of adjacent tissues is observed, which leads to discomfort. These symptoms occur if the gland increases in size by 5-10 times. If the organ is not positioned correctly, signs appear earlier.
Stressful situations. Strong experiences can also lead to muscle spasms. This condition is even called a hysterical coma. In this case, a foreign body in the throat is usually felt longer than there is excitement. In such a situation, only sedatives help.
Mental disorders. Depressive conditions provoke pain in different parts of the body. Usually discomfort affects weakened areas. With severe anxiety, a person who has suffered severe bronchitis in the past is likely to feel suffocated. It is not caused by problems with the bronchi, but by a spasm of the neck muscles.

Treatment of a lump in the throat with cervical osteochondrosis

Diagnostics

If something is bothering your throat when swallowing, you should definitely consult a doctor. Thanks to this, it will be possible to determine the causes of discomfort and select the optimal treatment.

In order for the diagnosis to be as accurate as possible, it is very important to correctly formulate your complaints and describe your sensations. If a person speaks when I swallow, there is something in the throat, the following parameters matter:

time of discomfort – constant during the day or only at night;
pain when swallowing or eating solid foods;
discomfort when turning or tilting the head;
suffocation;
difficulty breathing in or out.

The more accurately the symptom is described, the easier it will be for the doctor to make a diagnosis. In addition to the sensation of a lump in the throat, the following symptoms may occur:

movement in the larynx area;
constant discomfort;
heaviness at the moment of swallowing;
fear of choking;
sensation of a hard mass in the throat;
nausea;
burning;
soreness;
tickling;
suffocation.

To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe the following types of studies:

visual examination - it can be carried out by a therapist, otolaryngologist, endocrinologist;
ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland;
X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine;
blood tests - general and biochemical;
urine tests;
computed tomography of the sinuses.

What could be the cause of a lump in the throat?

Treatment methods

What to do if something is stuck in your throat? If discomfort occurs, treatment should be selected by a doctor depending on the cause.

Conservative therapy for this group of pathologies is aimed at combating pathogenic microorganisms and eliminating local symptoms of infection. If discomfort occurs in the throat, the following categories of medications should be used:

The main complaints of patients when something bothers them in the throat

At a doctor’s appointment, not every patient clearly talks about his feelings; you can often hear the following statements:

there is something in the throat that is preventing you from breathing;
it hurts and is difficult to swallow;
presses inside the throat;
it feels like there is a lump in your throat;
there was a feeling of squeezing in the throat;
difficult to take a sip of water;
presses in the throat and radiates into the chest;
The throat hurts and feels very painful when swallowing;
something is bothering you in your throat and you want to clear your throat;
a feeling of tickling, discomfort and a lump at the same time;
burning and pressing in the throat;
who stands and breathes heavily.

If such complaints do not go away within a week, and even the discomfort increases, it is necessary to urgently undergo examination in a hospital.

When you see a doctor, try to talk more clearly about your problems and feelings. Every detail is very important and will guide the doctor in which area to look for the cause.

How to avoid? Prevention

To prevent discomfort in the throat when swallowing, it is necessary to follow the rules of prevention. The following activities are recommended:

if symptoms of thyroid goiter are observed, begin treatment immediately;
promptly treat any throat diseases;
as a preventative measure, rinse the nasopharynx with saline solution;
do not over-stress the vocal cords;
monitor the gastrointestinal tract;
do not inhale toxic substances;
normalize your diet, which must include fruits and vegetables;
walk more in the fresh air;
do exercises and exercise;
maintain fresh air in the house, ventilate rooms more often;
sometimes it’s worth drinking herbal infusions, it will have a good effect not only on the body, but also on the psyche;
if you have a “sedentary job”, then you should pay attention to the comfort of the chair, because due to the fact that you are uncomfortable, the upper muscles are overstrained, which can lead to the feeling of a lump in the throat when swallowing;
You need to organize a healthy 8-hour sleep so that all the muscles of the body can relax and fully rest.

At first glance, such a problem in the form of unpleasant sensations in the throat may seem daunting. But it is not all that bad. In most of the medical cases described, the discomfort goes away within just a week or two. Cases such as laryngeal tumors are very rare. Therefore, all other causes are removed almost painlessly and easily.

Source

What to do and where to go if something seems to be bothering your throat, but it doesn’t hurt?

If you experience discomfort and a lump in your throat, you should first contact your local physician. Based on the complaints presented, the doctor will determine the further plan of action.

Consultations with an orthopedist, surgeon, otolaryngologist, internist, oncologist, gastroenterologist or other specialists may be offered. Doctors will conduct an examination, questioning and special examinations: ultrasound, CT or MRI, laryngoscopy, pharyngoscopy, laboratory tests of blood and urine, or other diagnostics.

Important! There is no need to try on your own to get rid of the feeling that something is bothering you in your throat. You should not “push” anything with solid food or pour mugs of water down your throat. Not one of the reasons is amenable to such treatment. You can only drink stuck food to move it along the esophagus.

How to cure throat discomfort?

The treatment regimen is drawn up immediately after the diagnosis is made, and will depend entirely on the results of the examination.

If the reason is stress

Stressful situations are the main culprits of the so-called lump in the throat , when the patient can present the most incredible descriptions of this problem. First of all, it is necessary to determine the cause of stress. Sometimes you need the help not of pills, but of a psychotherapist who will help you sort out all the problems and “breathe” into the patient a new breath of vital energy.

In some cases, sedatives are indicated. The most commonly used herbal remedies are valerian, motherwort, peony, and hawthorn. Valocordin, Corvalol, Barboval and other drops are also used. The drug adaptol (tranquilizer) has proven itself well, but such drugs should only be prescribed by a doctor.

Panic attacks

During panic attacks, various breathing techniques will be useful , which eliminate attacks of tachycardia and anxiety. The patient should be taught such manipulations by a neurologist.

It happens that for many years a patient feels that something is bothering him in his throat, he goes to many doctors, but the problem remains. Many patients do not think about stress; they spend money on expensive research, in fear of receiving a diagnosis and verdict of an incurable disease, but it is all to blame, in fact, for a shattered psyche and chronic depression.

Thyroid diseases

Thyroid diseases require constant monitoring in the form of ultrasound and blood tests for hormones.
For iodine deficiency and nodular formations, iodine preparations (potassium iodide, iodomarin, iodine-active, iodine-balance) and cinquefoil preparations (endorm, endocrinol) are prescribed. All these remedies are recommended to be taken after meals. If a child seems to have something bothering him in the throat, and a lack of iodine is detected, then instead of water, you can take the tablets with milk or juice.

Adults and children take the drugs presented in long courses, at least 1–2 months.

For other thyroid pathologies, treatment is longer and more complex. The main correction of the pathological process is carried out with hormonal agents.

Treatment of the throat for thyroid diseases

Osteochondrosis in the cervical region

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine is difficult to cure , because
Patients mainly suffer from irreversible cartilage damage, in which the discs lose strength and elasticity. In advanced cases, MRI reveals hernias, protrusions and other pathologies. Sometimes the patient can only be helped through surgery. As a conservative treatment, special gymnastics and chondroprotectors are recommended: teraflex, dona, chondroxide, mucosat, arthrone complex, structum and others. Drugs to improve blood microcirculation, for example, trental, are also indicated.

Nutrition remains an important aspect of the treatment of osteochondrosis. The menu needs to include more dishes with gelatin: aspic, jelly, others. Give preference to lean meats, fruits, vegetables, cottage cheese, cheese, and fish products. Avoid pickles, sweets, legumes, smoked foods, spicy and flour products.

Following all the recommendations will help to significantly improve the condition of the cervical spine and eliminate discomfort resembling a foreign body in the throat.

How to get rid of the feeling of a lump in the throat with osteochondrosis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okU9FlKe8lk

Throat injuries

Throat injuries occur for various reasons:

stuck fish bone,
hit by solid objects,
performing medical procedures (washing tonsils, removing tonsils, etc.).

If something bothers you in your throat when you swallow, then most likely the reason lies either in injury or in the inflammatory nature of such a symptom.

In any case, consult an otolaryngologist . In case of throat injuries, the doctor will remove all foreign objects and treat with antiseptics. At home, you will need to rinse for a few more days with antimicrobial agents such as chlorophyllipt, miramistin, chlorhexidine or others.

Neoplasms in the throat

Throat tumors are not always malignant , so timely consultation with a doctor can completely get rid of this problem. The tumor processes are observed by an oncologist, and if necessary, chemotherapy, laser therapy, radiation therapy and surgical excision of the tumor will be performed.

Patients are recommended dietary nutrition, sedatives, detoxification therapy, and psychological help.

Gastrointestinal diseases

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can manifest not only as a lump in the throat, but also with other symptoms. For treatment, antibacterial agents (amoxicillin + clarithromycin) are often used to destroy Helicobacter pylori, a gram-negative bacterium that causes inflammation in the stomach and duodenum.

Painkillers are also used - drotaverine hydrochloride, no-spa, gastrotsepin, almagel A.
To neutralize acidity, Maalox, Altacid, Gaviscon, Taltsid are prescribed.

Drugs that are considered mandatory for the treatment of gastritis are proton pump blockers. These drugs prevent hydrochloric acid from being released into the lumen of the stomach. These include: omeprozole, lansoprazole, others.

An integral part of the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases is diet therapy. It should be observed for a long time, sometimes throughout life.

How I cured a lump in my throat due to gastrointestinal disease

Diseases of the ENT organs

Diseases of the ENT organs often entail a complaint of pain when swallowing, and as if something is blocking the throat. Very often, this is how viral infections, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and tonsillitis begin.

To relieve symptoms of these diseases, rinsing, dissolving antiseptic tablets, inhalations, washing the tonsils, and physiotherapy are indicated.

Herbs that are good for gargling are string, chamomile, elecampane, calendula, eucalyptus. In case of bacterial infection, it is better to give preference to miramistin, decasan, chlorhexidine, octenesept.

3% hydrogen peroxide, as well as peach, sea buckthorn and apricot oil will help soften the throat. If the peroxide is well tolerated, do not dilute it, but simply take a tablespoon of the solution into your mouth and gargle. If necessary, a peroxide solution (3% only) can be diluted 1:1 with water.

To eliminate painful symptoms in the throat, sprays such as tantum verde, chlorophyllipt, proposan, and others will be useful. For young patients from the age of two, you can use Orasept and Ingalipt spray.

To relieve swelling and eliminate a lump in the throat, antihistamines are used: Telfast, Zyrtec, Cetrin, Erius and others.

If necessary (sore throat, tonsillitis), antibiotics are prescribed. The most commonly used drugs are the penicillin group (Augmentin, Amoxiclav) or macrolides (Sumamed).

A gentle diet is recommended with the exception of sour, spicy and irritating foods.

An article on the topic - what antibiotics to take for a severe cough.

Treating a lump in the throat at home

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-_iTYKTLO8

The choice of treatment method depends on the cause. In most cases, treatment of the underlying disease is required; this is not always possible to do at home. For example, if a tumor is present, chemoradiotherapy may be necessary, the course of which is carried out exclusively in a hospital setting. In addition, surgery may be required. The rehabilitation period after a surgical procedure should be carried out under the strict supervision of doctors.

The situation is similar with the presence of a hiatal hernia. Most often, the problem is solved with surgery.

Medicines

Medicines are used to treat most diseases that may cause discomfort. But their dosage is determined only by a doctor based on tests and other diagnostic studies. Self-treatment is not recommended. In this case, the lump in the throat is eliminated as follows:

for hyperfunction of the thyroid gland, iodine preparations are prescribed;
for thyroiditis, hormones are required (in some cases, maintenance therapy is carried out throughout life);
for ENT diseases, antibiotics or antiviral drugs are indicated, depending on the nature of the pathology;
for diagnosed depression, the psychotherapist prescribes antidepressants and tranquilizers;
for vegetative-vascular dystonia, it is possible to take vegetotropic drugs, for example, “Anaprilina” or “Pirroxan”;
in the presence of neuromuscular excitability, mineral correctors, in particular calcium and vitamin D2 preparations, can help.

Regardless of the cause of the lump in the throat, taking sedatives of plant origin based on valerian, motherwort, cyanosis (Nervo-vit), and bee products (Apitonus) is indicated.

Folk remedies

Alternative medicine does not always help get rid of a lump in the throat. This mainly helps if the problem has psychogenic causes. In this case, you can prepare a decoction of medicinal herbs at home.

You can add lemon balm, motherwort, linden, peppermint and other herbs that have a calming effect to the collection. The collection is brewed with 1 liter of boiling water and then left to infuse for 2 hours. Strain the liquid and then drink in small portions throughout the day.

You can treat a lump in the throat at home only if there is no threat to life. For example, for osteochondrosis, special gymnastics are prescribed, which can be performed at home. The exercises are as follows:

tilt the head alternately to the sides, while you need to pull the top of the head horizontally as much as possible;
turning your head to the sides, you need to try to see what is behind;
tilting the head forward and backward, while muscle tension should be clearly felt;
circular movements with the chin;
tilting the head back and then to the side;
semicircular movements of the head;
Raise your shoulders as high as possible, then hold them in this position for 15 seconds.

This gymnastics should be done daily for 10 minutes. However, you will still have to visit a specialist, since other treatment methods are also indicated for this disease, for example: vacuum, manual and reflex laser methods of therapy, the implementation of which can only be entrusted to a certified doctor.

Additionally, it is recommended to radically change your lifestyle. In particular, the vertebrologist will definitely advise his patient to move more, preferably walking in the fresh air, and also adhere to the principles of a healthy diet. First of all, you need to exclude excessively fatty, fried, spicy, smoked and salty foods from your diet, and limit your sugar intake.

At home, you can eliminate another cause of throat discomfort - problems with the gastrointestinal tract. In such cases, following a special diet in combination with taking medications as prescribed by a doctor is indicated.

In case of ENT diseases, in addition to medications, it is recommended to gargle daily with the following products:

soda;
iodine-containing solution;
"Furacilin";
infusion of herbs with antiseptic properties, such as chamomile.

When a lump appears in the throat for psychogenic reasons, it is recommended to perform breathing exercises; it is not recommended to constantly think about troubles, but it is better to clearly monitor swallowing movements so that they do not become more frequent. Breathing exercises are as follows:

deep and rare breathing movements, while exhalation should be twice as long as inhalation;
breathing into the bag (duration 10 minutes, in which you need to inhale, hold your breath for 10 seconds, and then exhale into the bag).

First of all, it is important to determine the true cause of discomfort in the throat and, based on the available information about the etiology of the disease, prescribe a specific course of therapy. It is about getting rid of the “coma” in the throat that will be discussed in the material presented below.

Folk remedies

General recommendations for preventing throat discomfort

It is always better to prevent a disease than to waste time, money and nerves on curing it. Something in the throat is bothering you, it’s squeezing, there’s a “lump” – all these symptoms can be the result of anything, so the recommendations for avoiding them will be different. Let's make a list of basic preventive measures that most likely will not “trigger” the development of throat diseases. So they are as follows:

rehabilitation of foci of infection in the nasopharynx in chronic diseases;
protective measures to prevent smoke, pollen, and harmful substances from entering the nasopharynx;
voice mode (protect your throat in the cold, don’t shout, don’t sing for a long time, etc.);
do not overcool;
physical education and swimming;
diet therapy;
giving up alcohol and smoking;
room air humidification;
periodic rinsing of the nasopharynx with saline solutions;
preventive examinations by specialists + ultrasound;
prevention of dysbacteriosis;
proper sleep and daily routine;
walks (at least 2 hours a day);
balneology (staying at seaside resorts and pine forests);
yoga and other meditation classes;
gymnastics for the throat;
cleansing the body (fighting toxins);
juice therapy;
fight against stress, neuroses and depression;
following all doctor's instructions.

How to get rid of the feeling of a foreign body in the throat

Conclusion

Why something is bothering you in your throat - you need to figure it out not at home, but at an appointment with a specialist, especially when such a symptom does not disappear for several days. Why wait a long time when the problem in most cases is solved in a short time.

As for more complex diseases, their timely detection is a chance to eliminate their relapses, and sometimes even to life. Therefore, patients should take their health seriously, even if at first glance the symptoms that appear seem trivial. Be healthy!