Many people have at least once in their life experienced discomfort in their throats when swallowing. But if this problem has a long nature of anxiety, then you should understand the causes of this terrible discomfort. In itself, this manifestation may not threaten human health, but cramps in the throat in every way interfere with normal life. In this article, you will learn about all kinds of causes of discomfort and how to get rid of it.
Symptoms
Most people, not figuring out if they have any serious problems in reality, immediately begin to sound the alarm. Therefore, in order to determine the presence or absence of this problem, the main symptoms are listed below:
- after eating or too stressful situation, there is a feeling that something is interfering in the throat, but it’s impossible to tactually feel a lump;
- it becomes difficult to breathe due to the fact that a lump or lump in the throat blocks access to oxygen;
- the throat is very pronounced;
- burning sensation in the throat;
- pain around the neck;
- there is sediment in the chest or throat.
If you find yourself in one of the signs, then it is worth considering the reasons for the origin of such discomfort.
Group of factors
There is a large group of factors that can lead to discomfort in the throat when swallowing, they can be divided into three sections:
- Non-infectious causes (allergic reaction, gastroenterological and endocrine disease).
- Infectious causes (respiratory and oropharyngeal disorders).
- Other reasons that are not included in the above sections.
Pathology
If you have a lump in your throat and cannot find a cause for a long time, then you may have a non-infectious pathology. Below are the main 6 pathologies that can lead to discomfort in the throat.
1. Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Such a disease is characterized by damage to the spinal column at the level of the cervical spine. As a result, a violation of the nervous excitation of the larynopharynx zone may occur, which will lead to a sensation of a coma in the throat.
Such a problem is so subjective that it is very rare in the world. In addition, in order to experience such discomfort, osteochondrosis must be in a progressive stage.
Symptoms of this disease are very specific:
- lump sensation when swallowing;
- pain in the cervical spine;
- numbness of the tongue and fingers (in the late stages of the disease).
In this case, treatment with chondroprotectors and anti-inflammatory drugs is prescribed.
Similar symptoms are hernia of the cervical spine, but with osteochondrosis their manifestation is much more pronounced.
2. Thyroid goiter. Manifested by nodular or diffuse proliferation of the thyroid gland. Nodular growth is the formation on the organ itself in the form of tumors that are similar in structure to the gland itself. Diffuse - a uniform enlargement of the gland.
The reasons for such growths can be:
- malnutrition;
- excess production of pituitary hormones;
- the abundance of iodine in the diet.
Symptoms of thyroid goiter are:
- something is in the throat when swallowing;
- pain in the thyroid gland;
- fever;
- external change in the surface of the neck (bulge);
- drowsiness;
- weakness;
- apathy;
- excess weight.
Doctors with goiter of the thyroid gland initially eliminate the reason why this happened. Due to the fact that the organ has a change in size, there is a certain pressure on the larynx; as a result, a person feels a lump in the throat.
3. Gastritis. It is an inflammation of the gastric mucosa.
Due to the inflammatory lesion, the undigested food returns back to the previous sections of the digestive tract, which causes a sensation of a coma in the throat.
This uncomfortable state accompanies a person constantly or the intensity of the manifestation may change.
Causes of occurrence:
- unhealthy food;
- excessive alcohol consumption;
- all kinds of abdominal injuries.
Symptoms are very difficult to distinguish with such a disease:
- discomfort in the throat when swallowing;
- a feeling of heaviness in the stomach;
- a problem with the stool;
- pain in the front wall of the abdomen;
- digestive upset.
Treatment is accompanied by the use of medications.
4. Hernia of the esophagus. A rare disease characterized by an expansion of the lower esophagus. With this pathology, there is no pain, but the presence of a coma in the throat is felt.
5. Reflux esophagitis. This disease has common characteristics with gastritis and it consists in the lack of strength of the valve blocking the passage into the stomach. Because of what, the contents of the stomach are ejected into the initial sections of the digestive tract.
At night, reflux is especially manifested, because the human body is in a horizontal position. Attention! It requires immediate treatment, as the result may be asphyxiation (suffocation) and aspiration (penetration into the respiratory tract of the gastric contents) and, in the end, death.
6. Hypersensitivity reaction. If you have cramping in your throat, allergic reactions may be the cause. In other words, the use of a product that has an allergic reaction.
In most cases, these products are:
- milk;
- bow;
- fruits and vegetables (red);
- citrus;
- nuts.
Symptoms
- pain below the Adam's apple;
- pain behind the chest;
- sore throat and discomfort when swallowing
Against this background, asthma or laryngeal edema may develop. Therefore, do not hesitate, but you need to go to the hospital.
Infections
Infectious causes of discomfort in the throat are much more common. With such a problem, it is from these factors that the diagnosis begins:
1. Pharyngitis. Such a disease is qualified by the presence of inflammation of the pharyngeal wall. This happens due to exposure to fungi (Candida) or other bacteria.
Symptoms:
- sore throat;
- sore throat when swallowing with fever;
- sputum cough;
- disturbance or irritation of the voice.
Treatment is with antifungal, antiviral or antimicrobial agents.
2. Tonsillitis. Or, as it is also called - tonsillitis, is manifested by the inflammatory process of the organs of the upper respiratory tract and tonsils. This occurs due to streptococci or other microorganisms. Very rarely has a viral origin.
Symptoms of this disease will be:
- sharp pain in the throat;
- itching
- possible breathing difficulties;
- burning;
- sensation that something is interfering in the throat;
- discharge of pus;
- bad smell.
Specialists prescribe antiviral or antibacterial treatment. In rare cases, antimycotic agents may be prescribed.
3. Laryngitis. This kind of disease carries inflammation of the tissues of the larynx. Caused by the presence of viruses, infections, or fungi in the oropharynx.
Symptoms are similar to tonsillitis, the only thing that distinguishes them is a less intense discharge of pus.
Other reasons
Other reasons include:
1. Discomfort in the throat when swallowing saliva on a nervous basis. This reason can be detected only after the above diseases have been excluded through diagnosis and detailed examination. People who have sore throat discomfort but have no illnesses describe this symptomatology:
- difficulty swallowing saliva;
- desire to swallow constantly;
- sore throat;
- "Pharyngeal scratching";
- It's difficult to breathe;
- can not eat solid food.
Symptoms are growing in nature, and in order to alleviate his condition, a person first refuses solid food, and then completely switches to water only. This is explained more by the fact that he is scared to swallow and experience unpleasant sensations than the pain itself.
It happens that such a problem develops as a result of a panic, which was accompanied by suffocation and heart palpitations. At such a moment, people usually fear death, which further leads to a sensation of a coma in the throat.
In addition, the cause may also be:
- somatized depression;
- neurosis;
- other mental illnesses (epilepsy, schizophrenia, manic-depressive psychosis).
In order to get rid of this problem, you need to contact a psychologist or psychiatrist, as well as eliminate all stressful situations.
2. Excessive and prolonged use of alcohol. With alcohol dependence, a lump in the throat is often observed. The reason for a long time can not be recognized. Due to alcohol, the oropharynx is burned, which causes a feeling of discomfort. Stop drinking alcohol immediately.
3. Smoking. Many people who smoke often feel a lump in their throat. This occurs as a result of nicotine irritation of the vagus nerve located below the throat. Also, when a person is sick with a viral disease, cigarette smoke only worsens the situation. Another of the most common causes is smoking after eating. Therefore, do not neglect your health, you need to quit smoking!
4. Paratonsillar abscess (acute purulent inflammation). With such a disease of the oral cavity, there are pains, and at the last stage there is a feeling of discomfort.
Tumors
Tumors of a different nature, fortunately, develop very rarely. Their localization mainly extends to the throat, or region of the vocal cords.
List of possible neoplasms that have symptoms as if something is interfering with the throat when swallowing:
- polyps - a tumor with connective tissue structure, may be malignant;
- fibromas - identical in structure to polyps, but cannot be malignant;
- lipomas - they are also called "wen";
- angiomas - neoplasm of blood vessels;
- cysts - do not belong to tumors, and they are benign;
- sarcomas are a terrible malignant tumor;
- carcinomas are also malignant, but less aggressive.
How to act in such a situation
If you have cramps in your throat and haven’t figured out the cause, but don’t have time to go to the hospital? It is recommended to resort to home activities that will help relieve symptoms:
- do not eat cold, hot or spicy food;
- so as not to strain the vocal cords, it is better to be silent if possible;
- quit smoking at least temporarily;
- drink more clean water;
- make soothing tea and let it cool;
- ventilate the room;
- have a good night's sleep;
- add foods rich in iodine;
- make relaxation or take a relaxing bath.
If you are sure that a nervous breakdown or depression caused you discomfort in your throat when swallowing, treatment can be done through consultation with a psychologist, as well as medications, such as
- decoction of herbs with a relaxing effect;
- motherwort;
- "Nerve-Vit" - it includes the grass blue cyanosis, which will help relax and calm the whole body;
- valerian;
- St. John's wort
- "Apitonus-P" is a vitamin complex that will increase stress resistance of the body.
Who to contact
Of course, first of all it is to determine all the symptoms of this problem. After this, you should contact the clinic. There, with such a range of reasons, a detailed examination and diagnosis should be carried out. If you have a sore throat on the right when swallowing, then you need to mention this exactly at the appointment with the therapist. It is recommended to start with this specialist. Then he will refer to other possible doctors:
- gastroenterologist;
- dentist;
- endocrinologist;
- neurologist;
- otolaryngologist;
- orthopedist;
- allergist;
- neurosurgeon;
- immunologist.
Remember that self-medication can lead to complications, so only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the right treatment.
At the first appointment, a specialist doctor will ask a lot of questions about the general condition, record complaints and collect anamnesis. It is necessary to answer questions clearly and essentially.
In the future, such studies and examinations will be required:
- examination of the oral cavity by an otolaryngologist;
- allergic tests;
- histological diagnosis;
- laryngoscopy;
- biopsy (if tumors are detected);
- FGDS.
Treatment of infections and pathologies
Depending on what reason was identified, specialists prescribe a course of treatment or a number of other measures. If there is discomfort in the throat when swallowing, and the reason for the appearance of this was a violation of the thyroid gland, then prescribe medications that contain iodine.
Also, for problems with the neck, for example, it is recommended to do special gymnastics, which will help develop the neck muscles and vertebrae. In addition, laser, manual treatment or reflexology can be prescribed.
To solve problems with the digestive system, they can recommend a specially developed diet food with the use of medicines. But if an esophageal hernia is detected during the examination, then surgery may be necessary.
If there is inflammation of the airways, then doctors prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs or other antibiotics. Along with this, it is recommended to drink herbal broth and gargle with soda. Occasionally, it can happen that warming compresses can be prescribed
Also, if a throat tumor is detected, then in such cases, doctors do chemotherapy and radiation therapy, but the possibility of surgery is also possible.
All methods of treatment and medications are selected only by the doctor. Self-medication can lead to complications that can adversely affect the general state of health, even death.
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 goiter of the thyroid gland are observed, immediately begin treatment;
- timely treat any throat disease;
- as a prophylaxis, rinse the nasopharynx with saline;
- do not overload the vocal cords;
- monitor the digestive tract;
- do not inhale poisonous substances;
- normalize the diet, in which fruits and vegetables must be present;
- walk more in the fresh air;
- do exercises and exercise;
- maintain fresh air in the house, air the rooms more often;
- sometimes it is worth drinking herbal infusions, this 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 a sensation of a coma 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 relax.
At first glance, such a problem in the form of an unpleasant sensation in the throat may seem intimidating. But it is not all that bad. In most medical cases described, discomfort disappears in just a week or two. Cases such as a laryngeal tumor are very rare. Therefore, all other causes are removed almost painlessly and easily.