I Have a Feeling of Something Stuck in My Throat β What Could It Be?
That sensation of having a lump or something stuck in your throat is very common and usually not dangerous.
The feeling of something stuck in the throat (called "globus sensation" or "globus pharyngeus") is rarely a sign of cancer. More common causes include:
- GERD (acid reflux) β stomach acid irritates the throat, causing a feeling of a lump or tightness
- Post-nasal drip β mucus from your sinuses dripping down the back of your throat
- Anxiety or stress β this is one of the most common causes; tension in the throat muscles creates the lump sensation
- Muscle tension β tightness in the muscles around your throat
- Enlarged thyroid β a goiter can press on the throat
- Allergies β seasonal allergies can cause throat irritation
Less commonly, a true physical obstruction could be from a narrowing of the esophagus or, rarely, a tumor.
What to Look For
- Usually not serious:
- Sensation comes and goes
- Worse when you are stressed or anxious
- Improves when you eat or drink (this is classic for globus)
- No pain when swallowing
- Sensation is in the middle of the throat, not on one side
- Worth having checked:
- Actual difficulty swallowing (food gets stuck)
- Sensation that is always on one side only
- Progressive worsening over time
- Accompanied by hoarseness, cough, or weight loss
- Pain when swallowing
When to See a Doctor
- See a doctor if:
- You have actual trouble swallowing (food gets stuck)
- The sensation is only on one side
- You have hoarseness that lasts more than 3 weeks
- You are losing weight unintentionally
- You have pain when swallowing