Lump in the throat. What to do?
Where to run, whom to contact?
Let’s first understand what might cause the sensation of a “lump” in the throat.
- Stress, anxiety syndrome, general unease. Remember yourself as a student or schoolchild taking an exam, and that feeling of a “lump” in your throat due to anxiety. What is happening? In fact, during stress, a pharyngeal spasm occurs, which often feels like a lump in the throat.
- Inflammatory diseases of ENT organs, including chronic: tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis.
- Cervical spine pathology, cervical instability
- GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Due to the backflow of gastric juice and digestive enzymes, a burn of the posterior pharyngeal wall occurs, which can also lead to similar symptoms.
- Pathology of the thyroid gland itself, nodules, goiter, as well as the condition after thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid gland)
- A foreign body in the oropharynx, especially when it damages the mucosa and causes swelling, can create a sensation of a “lump” in the throat.
- Masses of the pharynx and larynx (rare pathology)
Which specialists should I consult?
First of all, we recommend a consultation with a therapist or ENT doctor. Specialists will conduct a thorough medical history and examination, and if necessary, will prescribe additional tests or consultations with other specialists (endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, oncologist)
It’s better to clarify the list of necessary examinations with a doctor; this will save you money and help accurately determine the cause of the “lump in the throat” sensation.
Lilia Albertovna Barsukova (Kuzina)
Endocrinologist-Dietitian
V.S. Buzaev International Medical Centre