Feeling like a lump in the throat. Why is there a lump in the throat and how to get rid of it

This article will focus on a fairly common complaint of patients - the sensation of a lump in the throat. What specialist is required, and what can cause such symptoms.

Such a concept as "a lump in the throat when swallowing" each patient describes in a slightly different way. One implies that in order to swallow saliva, he needs to make some effort, the other understands the presence of a foreign solid object in the neck, which he feels when swallowing.

Some patients cannot describe their feelings in detail, so they come to the doctor with the words “Lump in the throat - I can’t swallow.” A carefully collected medical history sometimes provides up to 80% of all the information needed to make a diagnosis. The main thing is the ability to listen to the patient.

Attention! A large number of patients hypochondriacally exaggerate their complaints in order to be taken more seriously, or in fear of some dangerous diagnosis.

The feeling of a lump in the throat when swallowing is a subjective thing, which implies that the doctor cannot assess the severity of the symptom. The patient may exaggerate the severity of his condition, demanding more attention to himself.

Of course, pathologies "on the face" will convince the doctor of the opposite - of the truth of the patient's problem. So how not to delay with a possible illness?

Let's try to start, to determine what a lump can be:

• true or somatic lump in the throat- implies the presence of an organic pathology in a patient, which is a mechanical barrier to saliva and food in the throat, thereby causing a sensation of a lump in the throat when swallowing;
• false lump- the absence of an organically modified organ capable of causing similar symptoms.

Causes of a lump in the throat

For convenience, it is important to systematize all possible causes:

1. endocrine reason. The first task of a doctor, when a patient complains of difficulty swallowing a lump in the throat, is to exclude the most common problem - thyroid pathology. Hypertrophy or hyperplasia of this organ causes compression of the trachea, which is anatomically located somewhat deeper than the gland. The degree of enlargement of the thyroid gland determines the discomfort when swallowing.
2. Otolaryngology. Lack of therapy or improper treatment of acute inflammation of the pharynx is the main factor in the transition of the disease to chronic pharyngitis. At the same time, the patient complains of dryness in the oropharynx, rawness and sensation of a foreign body in the throat, sometimes it hurts to swallow and there is a lump in the throat.
3. Digestive system. Functional, due to certain diseases, or anatomical changes in the esophagus.
4. Oncology(cm. ) . Neoplasms in organs located in the neck, regardless of whether they are malignant or benign, cause a feeling of a lump in the throat when swallowing.
5. Neurological cause - previously described as a false lump. A stressful situation, prolonged experiences in the absence of somatic pathology can cause a person to complain about a lump in the throat, it is difficult to swallow. This situation is self-created, so it is important to learn how to control yourself.
6. Medications. Sometimes a side effect of drugs can cause the patient to have a lump in the throat when swallowing. These include some antidepressants, antihistamines, and antihypertensive medications.

Thyroid problems

An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) is one of the most common causes (after neurasthenia) of feeling a lump in the throat.

Sometimes an increase in this organ is accompanied by other symptoms caused by the release of a large amount of thyroid hormones:

• tachycardia;
• weight loss with increased appetite;
• frequent loose stools;
• hand tremor, anxiety;
• bulging eyes (exophthalmos).

Problems with the gastrointestinal tract

Gastroesophageal reflux can cause an unpleasant symptom in the throat. The reflux of acidic contents from the stomach into the esophagus due to insufficiency of the lower esophageal sphincter leads to the patient complaining of a lump in the throat when swallowing saliva and belching.

The same symptoms can also occur with the anatomical features of the esophageal wall - a diverticulum. A diverticulum is understood as a saccular protrusion of all layers, which leads not only to the retention of food in it, but also to a violation of its swallowing (dysphagia). The symptoms are aggravated by changing the position of the body.

How to differentiate all the main causes of a given symptom

If there is a lump in the throat when swallowing, sooner or later it will force the patient to see a doctor. The main thing is not to delay this, since all of the above etiologies have their own complications that can occur if left untreated.

You should not go directly to specialists, but rather to your family doctor. He is a first-line doctor who will decide what area this problem is from, and whether it requires a consultation of a narrow specialist at all (for more details, see the video in this article).

Table 1: Differential diagnosis for the appearance of a lump in the throat:

What is the pathogenesis of the neurasthenic lump

The muscles of the pharynx, like all others, are controlled by the nervous system. A strong experience, a stressful situation lead to an excited state of the nerve fibers innervated in this area.

An increase in the tone of this muscle leads to the fact that the patient comes with the complaint "I have a lump in my throat, I can not swallow." It is important to note that this diagnosis is an exception, so it is very important to be sure that there is no physical cause for this symptom.

It is important to ask the patient about overwork, exams, or problems at work, as no one will come to the doctor with the words "I was stressed, and now it's hard to swallow in my throat."

Important! If this symptom appears, before going to the doctor, you should review the medications that are already being taken. The instructions for them will report on possible side effects, one of which may be a feeling of a lump in the throat.

Tumor formations of the neck organs lead to the appearance of a person’s complaints that he has a lump in his throat and it hurts to swallow. It is important to consider that this is a rarer cause of this symptom, while more often pain along with a lump in the throat accompanies chronic pharyngitis.

In conclusion, it should be noted that you need to monitor your health, and, which is extremely important, be less nervous over trifles, learn to control yourself. The nervous system is a very fragile thing, and with frequent “bombardment” by lack of sleep, stress, it malfunctions, the price of which is a significant decrease in the quality of life.

Hello dear readers. Probably every person at least once experienced the feeling that something was stuck in the throat. For some, this discomfort passes quickly, while someone suffers for years. This problem is quite widespread and has various explanations. So, a lump in the throat - what it could be, causes and treatment. All these points will be discussed below. And now, more about the problem. The sensation of a lump in the throat can cause severe discomfort. Such an unpleasant feeling is associated with it, as if something were blocking the throat and it could not be swallowed in any way. In this condition, the very process of swallowing food, water, saliva can be difficult. The feeling of tightness in the throat also causes itching, coughing, burning, dryness.

Sometimes it feels like something is moving in the throat. The person may experience dizziness, pain, difficulty breathing. In this state, appetite often worsens and sleep is disturbed.

It should be understood that a lump in the throat is not a specific disease. This is a definite symptom, the appearance of which should be treated with due attention. Especially if the uncomfortable feeling does not leave you for a long time.

Lump in throat - what it could be, causes and treatment

There are many reasons for the development of this condition. They can be somatic, psycho-neurological or pathological. Here is a list of the main reasons.

Causes of the condition

1. Inflammation of the throat of a cold type, chronic diseases. It can be tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, tracheitis.

1. Complications after surgery (surgery on the throat).

1. Problems with the thyroid or parathyroid glands.

1. Tumor growths.

1. Abnormalities in the thoracic or cervical spine.

1. allergic manifestations.

1. Disorder in the functioning of the digestive organs.

1. Psycho-emotional reactions.

1. Injury to the internal surfaces of the esophagus.

1. exchange violations.

Discomfort occurs only after eating or generally, as it may seem, for no reason. It is necessary to timely identify the true causes of the appearance of a coma in the throat and begin treatment.

Sometimes medication is required, and sometimes surgery is required. But in most cases, to get rid of this problem, you have to work with a psychologist or psychotherapist. In 80% of cases, the pathology is neurotic in nature.

Exposure to stress, overwork, emotional breakdowns, lack of sleep - all these factors that have become commonplace can cause a feeling of coma. The patient may suspect the presence of a somatic disease, but the examination does not confirm this conjecture.

And it also happens that a psychogenic effect resonates with a pathological state in the body. Then, to solve the problem, you will need to work in both directions.

Often a lump in the throat appears against the background of chronic diseases. These can be ENT diseases, hypertension, neurocirculatory dystonia.

In addition to these reasons, there are also a number of factors

Factors that contribute to the sensation of a lump in the throat:

Overweight, obesity.

Trauma, displacement.

Smoking, alcohol abuse.

Pregnancy.

Hacking cough.

A third-party particle stuck in the throat.

Taking certain medications.

Associated symptoms

Often a lump in the throat is combined with symptoms such as:

✔ Feeling of pressure.

✔ Constriction of breathing.

✔ Tickle.

✔ Suffocation.

✔ Pain during swallowing or after eating.

✔ Nausea.

✔ Digestive disorder.

✔ Dizziness, weakness.

✔ Migraine.

✔ Pain in the chest and in the region of the retrosternal space.

✔ Attacks of hypertension and arrhythmias.

✔ Chills or fever.

✔ Muscle pain, heaviness in the limbs.

✔ Decreased appetite.

✔ Mood swings, increased anxiety, nervousness.

✔ depressive manifestations.

✔ Violation of self-control, nervous breakdowns.

In the case when the feeling of tightness in the throat is caused by psychological factors, the situation is aggravated by the fact that the person winds himself up. He comes up with terrible diagnoses for himself, but he does not dare to go to the doctor. From this, the symptoms appear with increasing intensity, which makes the patient experience even more.

The severity of symptoms varies. They may appear immediately or overlap gradually.

These accompanying symptoms may help in diagnosing

1. If discomfort after eating. A violation in swallowing does not allow food to pass unhindered through the esophagus. This is what causes discomfort. This happens with inflammatory processes, with colds, damage to the mucous membrane of the mouth and pharynx, tumors, and spasm of the muscles of the esophagus. The condition is accompanied by cough, pain manifestations, difficulty swallowing saliva.

1. If you're sick. This is due to a violation of the movement of the food coma through the food tubes, as a result of which food from the stomach returns to the esophagus again. This reversal is called reflux. It is accompanied by belching, heartburn, drying of the mucosal surface, pain. The process can be started after a meal or if a person decides to lie down. The reasons for this phenomenon can be different: weakened gastric sphincter, overweight, high acidity, pregnancy, pathological changes in the cellular structure of the digestive organs, drug side effects.

1. If you have a cough. Just as the lump itself can cause tickling and a desire to clear your throat, so throat discomfort can develop due to coughing. In the first case, the cause may be stress, overwork, decreased immunity, autoimmune diseases, and taking immunomodulators. But it happens that bad coughing causes stagnation of sputum, which, accumulating in the throat, causes discomfort, difficulty swallowing, breathing problems, and pain. Or a prolonged cough leads to overwork of the muscles and a feeling of the presence of something extra in the throat.

1. When smoking. Smokers often face a similar problem. Coma can be caused by pathologies associated with smoking - these are thyroid disorders, malignant neoplasms, and an experienced smoker's cough. In addition, a stressful condition can also cause discomfort in the throat, which forces a person to reach for another cigarette.

1. During pregnancy. Here, most often, a lump in the throat appears due to the experiences associated with bearing a baby. Although this symptom can appear at any stage, this problem is typical for long periods, when the fetus presses on the stomach, causing displacement and squeezing of other abdominal organs. As a result, reflux may occur, an esophageal or diaphragmatic hernia may develop. As a rule, everything returns to normal after the birth of a child.

1. If there is something in the throat. This sensation may be caused by an aortic aneurysm in the neck. This pathological expansion of the vessel is caused by a decrease in the tone of the vascular walls and their loss of elasticity. This pathology is characteristic of diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, inflammatory processes in the thyroid gland, and is also observed in infectious lesions. The condition is accompanied by discomfort during the swallowing of solid food and liquids, the presence of a dry cough, hoarseness, breathing problems, asthma attacks.

Allergic reactions and lump in the throat

Nowadays, people are extremely prone to allergies. In allergy sufferers, an alarming trend is visible: over time, allergic manifestations become more intense and diverse.

It is known that with allergies, swelling of the respiratory tract can be observed. It is not always possible to quickly correct the situation. The condition can last for months, when avoiding contact with allergens is not possible.

With allergies, there may be sensations of a coma in the esophagus, soreness, burning, coughing. Due to edema, respiratory movements are difficult - breathing is squeezed, especially when the body is in a horizontal position.

Unfortunately, taking antihistamines does not always help to completely eliminate discomfort in the throat.

Which doctor to contact - diagnosis

If the problem bothers you for a long time, you should make an appointment with a therapist. If necessary, he will redirect you to a narrower specialist.

You may need to consult a neurologist, psychotherapist, otolaryngologist, vertebrologist, endocrinologist or gastroenterologist. If a woman is expecting a baby, then she will need to visit a gynecologist.

The doctor will examine your throat, feel the lymph nodes, as well as the neck in order to detect tumor seals, and prescribe laboratory tests. Additional tests may be needed to clarify the diagnosis.

It could be:

✔ X-ray of the cervicothoracic spine.

✔ CT scan.

✔ MRI.

✔ Ultrasound examination of the thyroid and parathyroid glands.

✔ Gastroscopy.

After making a diagnosis, the specialist will decide on the most effective treatment regimen.

How to treat a lump in the throat at home

Therapeutic measures depend on the cause of the development of the pathological condition.

1. The psychogenic factor requires the intervention of a psychologist or psychotherapist. The specialist will help the patient to calm down, introduce effective methods of relaxation, tell you how to increase self-control, give individual recommendations, and, if necessary, prescribe medication. Rarely is it possible to do without sedatives. To overcome the condition and prevent relapses, you need to rest enough and take seriously the compilation of a rational daily regimen.

1. Colds require appropriate treatment. Rinses are necessary (with healing decoctions, salted water, soda solution), resorption of lozenges or tablets for pain in the throat, the use of special sprays, inhalations. If the appearance of discomfort in the throat is associated with a dry cough, it will be necessary to take mucolytic and expectorant drugs. They will make the sputum less viscous, make it easier to exfoliate and expedite excretion. When the cough becomes wet, they will need to be stopped in consultation with your doctor.

1. Endocrine diseases that cause discomfort in the throat require specific treatment. In case of malfunction of the thyroid gland, iodine-containing drugs are prescribed. If the condition was caused by a hormonal imbalance, then appropriate hormones may be prescribed.

1. Gastrointestinal problems require the use of pharmacological agents and sometimes surgery. You also need to follow a special diet. Foods with E-additives, as well as irritating the mucous surface of the stomach, stimulating the excessive release of digestive juices, and having a choleretic effect, should be removed from the diet.

It should be borne in mind that diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (as well as their exacerbation) are often associated with a stress factor. Therefore, work will need to be carried out in this direction too. It is recommended to get enough sleep, take measures to prevent overwork, seek help from a psychologist.

1. A lump in the throat in rare cases can be associated with the appearance of a tumor in the throat area. If a neoplasm is found, it will be necessary to find out if it is malignant. For this, histological studies of tissues are carried out. In the case of a positive response, radiotherapy, chemical exposure, and surgery are prescribed.

1. If the cause is vertebral disorders in the cervical region due to osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia in the upper part of the spine, kyphosis, it will be necessary to attend exercise therapy classes, various physiotherapy procedures (laser therapy, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis, ultrasound, etc.), massage, undergo acupuncture.

Preventive measures

To prevent the development of unwanted sensations in the throat, it is recommended:

- avoid stressful situations and the development of chronic overwork;

- adhere to a rational daily routine;

- do not refuse vaccination;

- treat a cold in a timely manner, carry out therapeutic measures in full, and not stop halfway as soon as annoying symptoms disappear;

- to refuse from bad habits;

- take measures to strengthen protective mechanisms (natural immunostimulation);

- increase mobility;

- harmonize the diet;

- normalize body weight;

- monitor your posture, avoid physical overload;

- undergo regular preventive medical examination;

- track changes in the size of the lymph nodes and the thyroid gland;

- avoid exposure to potential allergens;

- introduce into the habit of daily (nightly) exercise;

- do not abuse drugs and do not self-medicate.

To get rid of discomfort, many try to push through the "blockage", perhaps even an imaginary one, using coarse food, or get rid of it with an artificial hysterical cough.

These methods can only be effective when something is really stuck in the throat. And that's not a fact. In some pathologies, such actions will only aggravate the situation. If the lump in the throat has not passed spontaneously in a few days, then you should not delay a visit to the doctor.

Identification of any disease, even oncological, at the initial stage of development gives high chances for its complete cure.

general doctor.

A lump in the throat is a common complaint that people come to see a doctor with. The causes of the symptom are many, it can be the result of both various infectious diseases and psychological deviations. Without proper diagnosis and establishing the causes of the disease, it is impossible to prescribe adequate treatment. In this case, you should definitely seek help from specialists who will help eliminate discomfort.

If a patient goes to the doctor with a complaint of a lump in the throat, then he often has the following symptoms:

• feeling of tightness in the throat;
• difficulty swallowing saliva;
• feeling of the presence of a foreign body in the throat;
• difficulty in swallowing solid and large foods;
• excessive accumulation of mucus;
• feeling of stirring in the throat.

Reasons for these symptoms:

• fatigue, stressful conditions;
• viral or bacterial infections affecting the larynx;
• thyroid problems;
• pathology of the cervical vertebrae;
• disturbances in the work of the stomach;
• hernia;
• overweight;
• consequences of taking medications;
• tumors.

So quite often it is the transferred stress that causes a feeling of constriction in the throat. In this case, the symptom of the presence of a coma may occur periodically, or be permanent.

Stressful situations provoke a sharp contraction of the muscles in the throat or their overstrain, which causes unpleasant and even dangerous sensations.

Depression, nervousness, worries, all this can provoke a sudden muscle contraction and a feeling of tightness in the throat.

Viral and bacterial infections of the ENT organs, endocrine pathologies, diseases of the spine, can also provoke a lump in the throat, the symptoms of which vary significantly depending on the type of disease.

If the correct diagnosis was not made in time and adequate treatment was not started, especially in cases where the disease is caused by infections of the nasopharynx, complications may develop. A lump in the throat becomes the result of various diseases, for example, pharyngitis or purulent tonsillitis, the improper treatment of which often leads to more serious pathologies. For example, the most dangerous complication is the accumulation of pus in the epiglottis. This disease develops rapidly and is characterized by the presence of an inflammatory process in the area of ​​​​the pharynx, where swelling can easily lead to suffocation.

The feeling of a lump in the throat can also develop as a result of a tumor localized in the larynx.

In the process of its growth, the tumor can move, taking up space in the upper part of the larynx, which causes an unpleasant symptom. If the correct treatment was not started in the early stages of the disease, then in the later stages the feeling of tightness in the throat is replaced by a feeling of lack of oxygen.

Features of the diagnosis of the disease

If there is a feeling of a lump in the throat, you should immediately seek advice from your therapist. After the examination, the doctor will decide on further treatment, and may advise you to undergo an additional examination or consult with another specialist. Most often, with such a symptom, you may need to consult an otolaryngologist, neurologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, surgeon.

For the most accurate determination of the cause of the feeling of tightness in the throat, additional diagnostic procedures may be prescribed:

• clinical blood and urine tests;
• a complete examination of the thyroid gland, including blood donation for hormones and ultrasound;
• biochemical analysis;
• assess the condition of the lymph nodes in the neck;
• computed and magnetic resonance imaging;
• complete examination of the oral cavity and pharynx.

Remember, the sooner a correct diagnosis is made, the more effective the prescribed therapy will be.

Treatment

If there is a tightness and a feeling of a lump in the throat, it is necessary to immediately begin therapy. However, treatment should be aimed at eliminating the most unpleasant symptom as much as at the causes of its occurrence.

If, with the help of diagnostic procedures, the doctor was able to accurately diagnose, then the treatment will be prescribed in accordance with the disease.

1. Pathologies of the spine in the neck can cause a constant sensation of a foreign object.

If the symptom is accompanied by acute sore throat, numbness and decreased sensitivity of the upper limbs, it is likely that it is caused by osteochondrosis of the cervical region of the spine. In this case, both medical treatment and surgical intervention are used.

In this situation, special ointments, creams, manual therapy are often used. Treatment with a laser, acupuncture, paraffin treatment also gives a positive result. But often the disease requires an integrated approach, including the use of anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain, specially designed exercises and lifestyle changes.

Important! Such therapy for osteochondrosis is contraindicated during pregnancy and in the acute stage of the disease.

An effective treatment for tightness in the throat caused by pathologies of the spine can be based on massage. This method can significantly reduce pain and speed up recovery.

1. If there is inflammation in the throat caused by bacteria or viruses, the patient will be prescribed a course of antibiotic therapy or treatment with antiviral drugs.

Exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis can also cause a feeling of tightness and the presence of a foreign object. Signs of this disease are sore throat, subfebrile temperature that persists for a long time, white plaque on the tonsils. It is the excess of purulent plaque on the tonsils that creates a feeling of constriction in the throat.

Regular rinsing, washing the tonsils, inhalations, warm compresses in combination with the use of antibiotics can also be used as procedures that reduce the severity of an unpleasant symptom and speed up the healing process. However, it is very difficult to achieve a complete restoration of the work of the tonsils, therefore, in the treatment of chronic tonsillitis, the primary task is to restore general immunity.

1. If the cause of the tightness in the throat is a violation of the thyroid gland, then therapy will be carried out with the help of iodine-containing drugs with hypofunction of the gland, or with the help of hormonal agents with the development of autoimmune thyroiditis.
2. Diseases of the stomach also often become the causes of constriction in the pharynx. In this case, the patient often complains of belching and a lump in the throat. Only after a complete diagnosis, the doctor will be able to prescribe an effective treatment.
3. In situations where psycho-emotional factors have become the cause of a coma in the throat, treatment will involve the use of sedative drugs. In stressful conditions, the patient is also recommended to rest and sleep well.

Features of treatment during pregnancy

If a woman is pregnant, then most often the main cause of tightness in the throat is anxiety. The stress present in early pregnancy is mainly associated with the fear of something new. Therefore, in order to eliminate the sensation of a lump in the throat, it is necessary to calm the woman, remove the stimuli that cause psycho-emotional overload. In the event that an unpleasant symptom does not go away even at rest, you should immediately consult a doctor. If necessary, after the examination, the doctor can refer the woman for a consultation with a neurologist or otolaryngologist.

If, nevertheless, the cause of tightness in the throat was depression or stress, then the doctor will probably advise taking special relaxing remedies based on valerian root, which are not contraindicated during pregnancy.

There are a large number of diagnostic methods that allow you to understand the cause of tightness in the throat and prescribe the correct treatment, which in most cases will give a positive result. However, it is better to prevent the disease than to seek ways to treat it. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to methods for preventing the occurrence of a symptom of a coma in the throat. Preventive measures include:

• immediate treatment of diseases of the nasopharynx;
• maintaining an active lifestyle, maintaining sleep and wakefulness, quitting smoking and alcohol abuse, a sufficient number of walks in the fresh air;
• sufficient humidity in the room to avoid drying out in the throat;
• timely preventive examination by an endocrinologist, treatment of thyroid diseases;
• proper treatment of chronic tonsillitis and regular washing of the tonsils;
• treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• prevention and treatment of diseases of the cervical spine;
• moisturizing the nasal cavity with saline;
• exclusion of situations that cause stress;
• timely treatment at the onset of the first symptoms.

For the prevention of a coma in the throat in pregnant women after suffering nervous conditions, a sound sleep will help. Also, pregnant women will benefit from walks in the fresh air.

Lump in throat. Many people are familiar with this feeling. Most often, this is not a disease, but its symptom. To get rid of a coma in the throat, it is necessary to cure the underlying disease.

A lump in the throat may be the only indicator of some kind of malaise, or it may appear in combination with other painful symptoms. A person is worried not so much by the very sensation of a lump in the throat, but by the fear of missing something terrible. You can try to find the roots of unpleasant manifestations on your own. But since there are a lot of reasons for such a condition, it is not difficult to get confused in your research and draw false conclusions.

What is meant by the term "lump in the throat"?

Some patients describe their sensations in this way: it feels like a lump in the throat. But you can hear other interpretations of this manifestation:

• Throat as if something were squeezing;
• There was a sensation of a foreign body that prevents even a small sip of liquid;
• There was a heaviness in the throat area, radiating to the sternum;
• In the esophagus, scratching and burning are noted;
• There is difficulty in breathing due to the apparent blocking of air access;
• A lump of air stuck in the throat;
• There was discomfort and sore throat;
• There may be pain when swallowing;
• Sometimes there is a general malaise.

Usually the doctor, after the patient complains about a single symptom, is interested in other signs of deterioration. And it turns out that there are problems not only with the throat. Gastric, muscular, chest pains can be noted. Often there are chills and fever, dizziness, headache, nausea, cough, feeling of heaviness in the legs, ache in the lower back. The person feels tired and empty.

A complete description of all symptoms can help in making a correct diagnosis.

Why does a lump appear in the throat?

All causes of a coma in the throat are divided into:

1. psychogenic;
2. Somatic.

Somatic causes

Usually this group of causes is confirmed or excluded first of all.

Inflammatory processes in the throat

Any inflammation is accompanied by swelling of the tissues, which feels like a lump. The inflammatory process can be both acute and chronic. He accompanies. Sometimes it happens that the condition worsens and paratonsillitis develops, the root of the tongue or epiglottis, parapharyngeal abscess. The danger lies in the strong which can interfere with the access of oxygen to the airways.

Tumor

Both a benign and a malignant tumor can squeeze the throat. And if in the first case, the treatment can be limited to conservative methods, and the outcome is always favorable, then this cannot be said with the development of a malignant formation. Therefore, the sooner a problem is identified, the faster and, most importantly, more safely it will be resolved. Sometimes, with an asymptomatic course of the disease, the sensation of a lump in the throat may be the only sign that is simply unacceptable to miss. But even in the case of a benign formation, breathing becomes difficult, and as the tumor grows, it completely overlaps. Usually, the trachea, oropharynx or larynx become the place of dislocation of the neoplasm.

Thyroid dysfunction

The thyroid gland is the first to respond to a lack of iodine in the body. It increases in size and squeezes the throat. This disease is called goiter or Basedow's disease. The doctor can establish the correct diagnosis during the initial examination. In addition, an increase in the gland in the later stages is accompanied by a decrease in appetite, weight loss, and protrusion of the eyeballs. But a more accurate diagnosis is established by the results of tests and ultrasound.

Other diseases of the thyroid gland include its inflammation, as well as an increase in the secretion of thyroid hormones. These diseases are also characterized by sensations of a foreign object in the throat.

A timely correct diagnosis will prevent possible dangerous complications.

Osteochondrosis

Often a lump is felt in the throat if there are problems in the cervical spine. This usually occurs with osteochondrosis. The reasons for this condition are overeating, physical inactivity and other bad habits. With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, pain in the back, neck, and head appears. Sometimes the disease is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, pressure fluctuations. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. Treatment is long and depends on the perseverance and discipline of the patient. Gymnastics and special massage are useful. Correct posture is of great importance. For sleep, you need to purchase an orthopedic mattress and a pillow. In severe cases, medications are prescribed to relieve pain symptoms.

Problems with the gastrointestinal tract

A lump in the throat stands and does not go away for one reason or another gastroenterological reasons. If such a symptom occurs immediately after eating, then the likelihood of having gastrointestinal diseases is high. Usually, the patient has already noted other signs in himself: heartburn, belching, sour taste in the mouth, pain in the stomach.

Reflux

The cause of a coma in the throat can be reflux or gastroesophageal disease. As a result of this chronic disease, the acidic contents of the stomach are thrown into the esophagus. A person suffers from bloating, belching, nausea. Usually, first of all, the doctor recommends changing the diet: exclude chocolate, coffee, soda and other irritating foods. It is important to reduce weight, observe the diet (dinner should be no later than 2 hours before bedtime).

It does not prevent everyone from knowing that at different times of the day the assimilation of certain products takes place with different intensities. In general, by the evening there is a slowdown in gastric motility. Medications are also prescribed to reduce acidity.

Hernia of the esophagus

Reflux, and, accordingly, a lump in the throat, may be due to a hernia of the esophageal part of the diaphragm. Provokes this malaise overweight, constipation, severe cough, weight lifting. Sometimes a hernia can be caused by stress, which causes muscle spasm. In this case, you can just drink a glass of warm milk with a teaspoon of honey.

A hernia may also cause chest pain. Therefore, the doctor prescribes an electrocardiogram to exclude heart damage. Sometimes, along with a lump in the throat, hiccups appear.

Injuries

The cause of the sensation of a foreign object in the throat may be an injury to the esophagus or larynx. The esophagus is damaged by roughage or during gastroendoscopy. Usually, in the case of such injuries, the symptoms disappear after about a week without special treatment.

allergic reactions

A lump in the throat is dangerous if it is caused by Quincke's edema. There is a rapid increase in swelling, which can lead to suffocation. In this case, time goes by seconds. Only the emergency administration of antihistamines can save the patient.

Other reasons

It should be noted that the sensation of a lump in the throat can be caused by unlikely, but still possible reasons:

The most likely causes of a coma in the throat are nervous. Of course, before establishing such a diagnosis, the doctor must conduct a thorough examination of the patient to exclude somatic causes. If everything is in order with the ENT organs, the gastrointestinal tract, the thyroid gland, then the psychogenic nature of the ailment is assumed.

Usually in this case, it is difficult for the patient to swallow saliva, the throat feels tight, tickled, scratched. A person has difficulty breathing, it is difficult to take solid food. At first, the symptoms are mild, but over time they increase. This state can last quite a long time. The patient is terrified at the mere thought of a possible oncology or other serious illnesses, a feeling of anxiety grows, and mood decreases. This leads to worsening of the symptoms. A vicious circle is formed: the more a person worries about his condition, the worse this condition becomes. As soon as the patient calms down, his thoughts turn to something more pleasant (wedding, childbirth, success at work, etc.), the tightness in the throat becomes less and eventually disappears.

The symptom of "lump in the throat" can appear at times suddenly. A person has a panic attack, blood pressure rises, the heartbeat quickens, the fear of death grows. The feeling of suffocation, lack of oxygen only increase this fear. With this development, depressive signs appear, which are expressed by depression, tearfulness, isolation, a pessimistic mood, and a desire to retire.

In order to establish the exact cause of heaviness in the throat, the doctor is interested in the presence of psycho-emotional factors: whether the patient was subjected to stress, a long-term traumatic situation at work or at home. Only then can one make an assumption about the nervous origin of the symptoms.

What to do?

Since there are many reasons for the appearance of a coma in the throat (nervous, somatic), You should contact your therapist first. Based on the existing symptoms, the doctor will refer the patient for a consultation with an ENT specialist, an endocrinologist, a gastroenterologist, and a vertebrologist.

Sometimes people try to deal with the problem on their own. Some prescribe unnecessary medications for themselves, others go to the other extreme: they let things take their course - maybe it will resolve itself. Someone tries to get rid of the lump by swallowing coarse food or drinking huge amounts of water. Unfortunately, the result of such self-treatment is lost time. Of course, it is possible that the condition will normalize by itself, especially if it was caused by nervous causes. But for such confidence it is necessary to exclude somatic ailments.

Important! A timely appeal to a specialist will solve the problem as soon as possible and help prevent possible complications.

How is a lump in the throat treated?

When there is a sensation of a lump in the throat, it is necessary to deal with the causes and treat the underlying disease. The measures taken depend on the diagnosis.

For example, with hypofunction of the thyroid gland, iodine preparations are prescribed. And if autoimmune thyroiditis is detected, the treatment is more complicated, sometimes the patient is forced to take the appropriate hormones all his life.

If the cause is a problem with the cervical spine, special gymnastics may be prescribed. Also, this condition is treated with manual, vacuum, reflex and laser therapy. The vertebrologist recommends that the patient reconsider his lifestyle, move more, and follow the principles of proper nutrition.

Worst of all, if a malignant tumor presses on the throat(though this is relatively rare). In this case, the treatment consists of radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery. Sometimes one of these measures is required, and sometimes a combination. Treatment depends on the situation.

If the problem is gastroenterological, This treatment is limited to the observance of a special diet and the intake of appropriate medications. However, with a hernia of the esophagus, surgery is sometimes indicated.

The nature of therapeutic measures for inflammatory ENT diseases depends on their nature - bacterial or viral. Depending on the result of the examination, antibiotics and other medications are prescribed. In addition to the main treatment, gargling with solutions of iodine-containing drugs, soda, herbal infusions, furacilin, which have excellent anti-inflammatory and healing properties, are prescribed. In some forms of ENT diseases, drug therapy is enhanced.

Treatment of psychogenic disorders

Separately, you need to dwell on the treatment of a coma in the throat, which appeared on a nervous basis. Therapy in this case consists in the use of both medication and psychotherapeutic drugs and procedures. If a patient is diagnosed with depression, antidepressants and tranquilizers are prescribed to eliminate external and internal conflicts.

In the case when it becomes difficult for the patient to breathe against the background of panic attacks, a number of measures are taken to correct the symptoms of VVD. At home, you can do breathing exercises that help you relax. It is useful to breathe in the stomach, as well as in a bag with a breath delay for a while. A more accurate set of breathing exercises will be recommended by a doctor.

If a lump appeared suddenly and for the first time, you can do several breathing exercises without focusing on your condition. In this case, control over swallowing movements should be exercised, preventing their increase. As an aid, you can drink a little herbal infusion or tea. In the future, therapeutic measures are supplemented with relaxing exercises for the muscles of the neck and larynx.

If the actions carried out at home do not have the expected effect, you should go to the doctor.

How to prevent the occurrence of a coma in the throat?

It is always easier to prevent a disease than to eliminate its consequences. Since the feeling of tightness in the throat is felt in many diseases, there will be many recommendations for prevention. The main measures that will help prevent an unpleasant symptom are:

Video: lump in the throat - why it appears, the program “Live great!”

Many people have experienced a lump in their throat at least once in a while. If such a phenomenon is observed often and begins to cause terrible discomfort, then it is necessary to find out its causes. It can occur as a result of certain diseases.

By itself, a lump in the larynx does not pose a health hazard and can easily pass. However, his appearance brings a lot of inconvenience and discomfort.

And ignorance of the reasons for its occurrence often leads to terrible assumptions why it appears. Therefore, you should be examined by a specialist to find out the causes of its occurrence and prevent cases of relapse.

In order not to wind yourself up in vain, at first you need to determine if you have symptoms of the problem or not.

• Sensation of a lump in the throat after eating food or a stressful situation. However, the lump cannot be physically felt. It is only felt.
• If a symptom occurs, breathing problems may occur. The lump seems to block access to oxygen, and breathing becomes problematic.
• Itchy throat.
• Sometimes there is a burning sensation in the throat.
• Feeling that there is an unpleasant residue in the throat or in the chest.

If you have one or more symptoms, you should think about the possible causes of their appearance.

This problem occurs for two reasons: as a result of nervous strain or in the presence of somatic problems.

Nervous tension is the most common cause of this symptom. It appears as a result of stress, strong fear, excitement, overexcitation.

However, these are not the only causes of this problem.

First of all, you need to contact a therapist. He will conduct a full examination and ask several leading questions regarding the problem, which will help determine the cause of the disease.

• take blood and urine tests;
• perform thyroid examinations;
• examine the esophagus;
• make an x-ray of the spine in the neck area;
• undergo a complete examination by an ENT doctor.

In this case, the patient is prescribed the use of medications and consultations with a psychologist.

The patient may be given an appointment the following medications:

• motherwort;
• paleriana;
• herbal teas with a relaxing effect;
• St. John's wort-P;
• Nervo-Vit. This preparation includes the herb cyanosis blue, which relaxes and soothes the body;
• Apitonus-P. This is a complex of vitamins to increase stress resistance.

If it is difficult to breathe while squeezing the throat, then it is recommended to do breathing techniques that lead to relaxation.

It is advised to breathe in the stomach or inhales and exhales into the bag. Such breathing leads to relaxation and calmness.

Depending on the identified causes, measures are prescribed to eliminate the disease. If the cause of heaviness in the trachea is thyroid problems, then the patient is prescribed drugs containing iodine.

If there are problems with the neck, then a special gymnastics is prescribed, which will develop the neck. Also carry out manual, laser treatment and reflexology.

For the treatment of the esophagus, the patient is prescribed a special diet food and appropriate medications. However, with a hernia of the esophagus, surgery is possible.

For inflammation of the airways, antibiotics or other medications are prescribed, depending on the cause of the inflammation. It is also recommended to make soda, herbal infusions, preparations containing iodine. In rare cases, warm compresses are prescribed.

For malignant or benign tumors of the throat, radiation or chemotherapy is done, and surgery is also possible. Depending on the situation, the events can be carried out all in a complex, or only one will be selected.

Until you find out the causes of an unpleasant symptom and it causes you terrible discomfort, it is recommended to use folk tips to help relieve symptoms:

• drink soothing tea;
• pay close attention to your sleep. Try to get good sleep;
• do relaxing activities. It can be a relaxing bath, massage, breathing technique for relaxation;
• Add foods high in iodine to your diet.

How to avoid the appearance of a coma in the throat?

It is always better to carry out preventive measures than to treat the disease later. To prevent the appearance of a feeling of constriction in the larynx, it is recommended certain activities.

• Timely treat the appearance of any ENT diseases.
• If there are pathologies with the thyroid gland, then eliminate them in time.
• Treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Wash the nasopharynx with a saline solution.
• Do not inhale toxic substances.
• Do not overexert your vocal cords.
• Balance nutrition. Add more fruits and vegetables to it.
• Humidify the air in the apartment regularly.
• Take walks in the fresh air.
• From time to time, use herbal preparations with a relaxing effect.
• Do sport.
• Try to allocate 8 hours a day for your sleep for complete rest and relaxation.
• Pay attention to your workplace. An often uncomfortable workplace can lead to muscle tension in the upper body. And this can lead to nervous tension and the appearance of a coma in the throat. Therefore, it is necessary to make your workplace as comfortable as possible.

As you can see, a lump in the throat is not a serious pathology in the body and can go away on its own. However, it can cause a lot of discomfort. Also, this problem can signal hidden diseases in the body. Therefore, it should not be ignored if it occurs regularly.

The main thing is that until you know the real cause of the disease, do not scare yourself with the fact that heaviness in the throat is a symptom of serious pathological changes in the body. Diseases such as tumors of the larynx cause squeezing of the throat in rare cases. Therefore, any other cause that causes discomfort can be eliminated, and with it the sensation of a lump in the throat will also go away.