The sensation of having something stuck in the throat is a fairly common problem that many people often experience. Although it usually causes excellent alarm at first, as long as this condition is not accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, difficulty or discomfort when swallowing, or the presence of lumps, it will be a benign problem with specific solutions.
At FastlyHeal, we explain the common causes of why you feel something stuck in your throat and the most common solutions.
Table of Contents
Stress or anxiety and the feeling of having something in your throat
We know that stress or going through a period of great tension can be triggers for various health conditions, and one of the most frequent causes is why you could feel something stuck in your throat as if a piece of food had been left there. It has to do precisely with tension.
Suppose you are going through a period of great anxiety or stress. In that case, this can lead to a condition known as a hysterical balloon or pharyngeal balloon, a pathology characterized by the sensation of having something stuck in the throat that does not disappear with anything. This is not due to anything organic or a particular failure but to the effect of stress, depression, or anxiety.
The hysterical balloon is characterized by:
- Feeling a kind of lump or ball in the throat, tightness, or as if we had food trapped in the throat.
- There are no difficulties in eating or drinking. The discomfort in the throat can be alleviated when we do this or if we drain our emotions, for example, when crying.
- There are no other associated symptoms; there is no fever, lumps in the area, difficulty swallowing, or digestive problems.
Although it is not known for sure why the esophagus muscles respond in this way to stimuli such as tension, anxiety, or depression, the truth is that once these conditions are controlled, the discomfort in the throat disappears.
Properly communicating our moods, avoiding repressing situations such as crying, and draining tension adequately, are the best alternatives to alleviate and eliminate this condition. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we give you some tips to cure anxiety.
Gastroesophageal reflux, possibly causing throat discomfort.
Once we eat or drink, food and liquids pass into our stomach through the esophagus, where they have maintained thanks to a ring of muscle fibers located in the lower part of the esophagus, the esophageal sphincter, which closes so that nothing passes back to the esophagus. However, if this ring does not close properly, stomach contents, especially gastric acids, rise to the esophagus, causing a condition known as reflux.
The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux are:
- Feeling that food is stuck in the throat or behind the breastbone.
- Heartburn or burning in the chest area.
- Nausea after food.
The causes of reflux are diverse, and your condition warrants a consultation with a gastroenterologist, who will perform the necessary tests to determine what causes this condition. Discover everything you need to know about this condition is gastroesophageal reflux: causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Barrett’s esophagus, a consequence of gastroesophageal reflux
The Barrett’s esophagus is a condition that occurs when the esophagus has been exposed too long to stomach acids. Those with untreated gastroesophageal reflux usually suffer it. Although this condition itself has no symptoms, it is enough to have reflux to experience having something stuck in the throat when swallowing, such as the sensation of having hair stuck in the throat.
A gastroenterologist must diagnose and treat this condition as in the previous case. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we explain all about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of Barret’s esophagus.
Infection or inflammation in the throat
Suppose the sensation of having something stuck in the throat is also accompanied by other symptoms such as difficulty swallowing food or drinks, pain, fever, or the perception of a lump in the area. In that case, it is likely an inflammation or infection of the throat. In this case, it is necessary to go to an otolaryngologist or a health care center for a check-up to diagnose the inflammation or infection and receive the appropriate treatment depending on the condition that causes it.
The following home remedies for a sore throat can help relieve this sore throat and make that ball-in-the-throat sensation go away more quickly.
Thyroid nodules
The thyroid is a gland located in the neck responsible for secreting various hormones that influence essential processes, such as growth or the proper functioning of our metabolism. We speak of a nodule when there is an abnormal growth in the thyroid cells that leads to the formation of a tumor or lump, due to which there may be difficulty swallowing, among other signs.
The most common symptoms of thyroid nodules are:
- Presence of a lump in the area that can be easily felt.
- Sudden voice changes or hoarseness.
- Pain in the neck.
- Difficulty breathing, especially when lying down.
- In addition, symptoms similar to hyperthyroidism such as nervousness, irritability, rapid heart rate, increased appetite, and weight loss can occur.
In our article nodules in the thyroid: causes, symptoms, and treatment, we explain this condition in more detail.
When to go to the doctor for a sensation of having something in the throat
The sensation of having something stuck in the throat is often the product of the hysterical or pharyngeal balloon. However, when other symptoms occur, and this discomfort is similar to a lump in the throat, it is time to go to an otolaryngologist for a complete review.
Some symptoms that should alert us are the presence of a sore throat, difficulty swallowing saliva, food, or liquid, perceiving a lump in the throat, or having other symptoms such as fever, excessive mucus, or white plaques in the throat.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to I feel something stuck in my throat: causes and treatments, we recommend that you enter our category of Ear, nose, and throat.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.