The most common reason for an individual to see an ENT doctor is a lump in his throat. It causes discomfort and discomfort when swallowing. The causes of this phenomenon can be various pathologies, i.e., the sensation of a foreign body in the throat is a consequence of certain disorders in the body. Quite often, a lump occurs in people tormented by hysteria, depressive states, and neurasthenia.
general information
If you feel a lump in the throat of a person, swallowing is disturbed, the pharynx is compressed. Shortness of breath appears, it seems that there is something foreign in the throat, saliva often has to be swallowed. These symptoms form due to the development of inflammation or neurotic disorders. The doctor, upon examination, also reveals concomitant signs indicating diseases, the consequence of which may be such a phenomenon. For example, flatulence, the taste of sour meat in the oral cavity, heartburn, nausea are symptoms of diseases of the digestive system. Cough, hyperthermia, chills, sore throat - inflammatory processes in the respiratory system. However, not always a lump in the pharynx indicates a disease. It may be a consequence of:
- stress
- fear
- severe fright;
- Depression
- confusion;
In these cases, the lower muscles of the pharynx tighten and create a sensation as if a lump were stuck in the throat. It usually passes in a few hours. In addition, there are people with fairly frequent panic attacks, in which this phenomenon is considered the first sign of approaching panic.
Development mechanism
When you feel a foreign body in the throat, it becomes difficult to breathe and swallow. There are two development paths:
- A com that does not interfere with familiar affairs. In this case, an unpleasant sensation occurs after eating, and the patient can describe it.
- Lump causing anxiety and fear of suffocation. This phenomenon is a consequence of a neurotic disorder.
Diagnostics
For diagnosis, the following types of examinations can be prescribed to patients:
- visual examination of the oral cavity, neck and lymph nodes;
- blood biochemistry, including hormones;
- general analysis of urine and blood;
- MRI of the neck;
- CT of the neck, chest, esophagus, thyroid gland;
- X-ray of the cervical spine;
- Ultrasound of the neck and thyroid gland;
- fibrogastroduodenoscopy.
To each specific patient, the doctor prescribes a certain number of studies, depending on the symptoms.
Treatment
Therapy is prescribed depending on the cause of a lump in the throat. And treatment will primarily be aimed at eliminating it. In some cases, only surgery can help. For example, if the sensation of coma is due to pathology of the respiratory tract, the doctor recommends gargling with throat solutions based on sea salt, herbal preparations.
Infectious diseases are treated with antibacterial and other drugs that help relieve swelling and inflammation, remove pain and a foreign body sensation in the throat. Attacks of panic and fear can be dealt with by drinking fluids. Drink it slowly in small sips. Massage and sedatives are also recommended.
If the reason lies in diseases of a gastroenterological nature, then, at the same time as medical treatment, a certain diet recommended by the doctor is required. The daily diet should consist of light, mashed or mashed food, steamed or baked without adding fat. The interval between meals should not exceed three hours. The amount of fluid consumed is calculated individually depending on the weight of the individual.
Somatic causes
Unpleasant sensations in the throat are, as a rule, a consequence of endocrine, oncological or infectious pathologies. The reason for the sensation of a lump in the throat is the following diseases:
- oncopathology;
- thyroid dysfunction;
- cold;
- gastroesophageal reflux;
- diaphragmatic hernia;
- allergy.
And also the cause may be intoxication of the body as a result of the use of a large number of drugs, i.e., irrational therapy. Untimely treatment of organic pathologies can lead to serious complications. For example, septic throat inflammation leads to:
- meningitis;
- sepsis;
- paratonsillar abscess;
- encephalitis.
Let us consider in more detail the clinic of some somatic diseases, the presence of which can cause discomfort in the throat.
Infectious diseases
A characteristic sign of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract is the feeling of a lump in the throat and a feeling of compression. The causes of such phenomena are tissue edema. The danger is that the patient has difficulty breathing and can lead to acute oxygen starvation. With damage to the respiratory system by an infectious pathology caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi, the patient displays the following manifestations:
- lymph nodes are enlarged;
- the mucous membrane in the oral and nasal cavity is swollen;
- glands enlarged and turn purple;
- salivation increases;
- a lump in the throat is formed against the background of tonsillitis in the acute stage, pharyngitis and other diseases;
- tormented by a dry cough;
- in the area of the pharynx constant perspiration;
- weakness;
- fast fatiguability;
- headache.
Properly selected therapy significantly reduces the risk of complications.
Thyroid dysfunction
Dysfunction of this organ causes a lump in the throat. Hormonal failure, as well as an insufficient amount of iodine in the human body, contributes to an increase in the mass and volume of glandular tissues, which also exert pressure on the respiratory tract.
Such an uncomfortable sensation in the throat can be a sign of the development of the following diseases:
- Diffuse goiter. This is an autoimmune pathology, which is accompanied by increased production of thyroid hormonal substances. The clinical picture characteristic of Bazedovy disease: tremor, weakness, bulging eyes, sweating, an enlarged thyroid gland.
- Hyperthyroidism Puffiness of the face is observed, the neck swells, swallowing of saliva becomes painful, there is a feeling of squeezing of the pharynx and lump in the throat.
- Thyroiditis. Reproduction of pathogenic microflora contributes to inflammation in the tissues of the thyroid gland. Patients are disturbed by unpleasant sensations in the throat, shortness of breath, irritability, fatigue, hoarseness of the voice.
Oncological diseases
Quite often, this pathology proceeds without any symptoms. With complaints of dry cough, difficulty swallowing saliva, compression of the throat, excluding other diseases, the doctor may suspect oncopathology. Provided that the tumor is benign and detected at an early stage, conservative treatment is prescribed. The obvious symptoms of cancer are hemoptysis, a feeling of having a coma and throat constriction, as well as pain. The tumor is localized in the trachea or larynx. Due to the growth of epithelial cells, the patient becomes difficult to breathe, there is a high risk of suffocation. In such cases, surgical intervention is indicated, then - drug therapy.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
The most common symptoms of this disease include:
- dizziness;
- soreness in the occipital region, neck, head;
- sore and squeezed throat ;
- the patient has a fear that he may suffocate.
Against the background of these signs, depression often occurs. In connection with a violation of the functions of the autonomic nervous system, the patient feels a lump in the throat. The reason for this phenomenon lies in the damage to nerve fibers passing through the cervical spine and supplying the respiratory muscles. A sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise), a lack of calcium in the body, insufficient muscle tone, as well as bad habits contribute to the development of pathology. Therapy includes taking medications, physiotherapy exercises, physiotherapeutic procedures, massage. A good effect is given by the acupuncture course.
Digestive tract
If it seems that there is a constant lump in the throat, then this is most likely a violation of the gastrointestinal tract. This problem is indicated by pain in the right hypochondrium, frequent belching, nausea after eating food, taste of sour meat in the mouth, heartburn, coughing. Sensations of an unpleasant nature in the pharynx are caused by the penetration of digestive juice into the respiratory tract. Such symptoms are detected in the following conditions:
- Gastritis is an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the stomach. It provokes the throwing of digestive juice into the upper parts of the esophagus and regurgitation of food debris.
- Esophageal hernia - the lower part of the esophagus protrudes into the chest cavity.
- Reflux esophagitis - this pathology is constantly repeated. It is characterized by the casting of duodenal contents into the esophagus, as a result, the patient seems to have a lump in his throat.
To solve the problem, you must observe the diet: exclude chocolate, coffee, carbonated drinks. Do not eat less than three hours before bedtime.
Allergic reactions
The cause of a lump in the throat may be an allergy provoked by the use of certain products, inhalation of polluted air, and irrational intake of drugs, especially hormonal ones. The nonspecific reaction of the body in the form of Quincke's edema provokes obstruction or obstruction of the respiratory system.
Then there is a sensation of a foreign object in the throat. Allergic symptoms are very similar to the manifestations of SARS. During treatment, antihistamines and hormones are prescribed primarily to relieve swelling. Next, anti-inflammatory therapy is prescribed and, if necessary, immunostimulating agents are connected.
Psychogenic causes of a lump in the throat. Treatment
The feeling of obstruction in the throat is often caused by mental disorders. If the doctor did not find somatic pathologies during the examination of the patient, then probably the reason lies in the violation of the psyche. They are provoked by stresses, overloads of an emotional and physical nature, constant anxiety, etc. An inconvenience in the airways appears unexpectedly. As a result, a panic attack develops. Therapy is carried out with tranquilizers, antidepressants, antipsychotics, as well as nootropic drugs. It is possible to remove the sensation of a lump only by removing the traumatic factor.
A pregnant woman has a lump in her throat, what should I do?
There is such discomfort due to digestive tract dysfunction, emotional stress, changes in hormonal levels, toxicosis, and other factors. Basically, the sensation of a foreign body in the throat is formed as a result of a spasm of the muscles of the pharynx. Psycho-emotional overload negatively affects the autonomic nervous system and provokes unpleasant consequences. Nevertheless, frequent relapses of this symptom are an indication for contacting a doctor.
Causes
Sore throat and a lump in the throat are the most frequent complaints of women in the situation, the causes of which:
- pharyngeal neurosis;
- toxicosis;
- cold;
- malfunction of the thyroid gland;
- gastroesophageal reflux.
There are a lot of factors provoking discomfort in the throat during the period of waiting for the baby. The causes of pathological changes in the upper respiratory tract are due to the following:
- heartburn;
- allergy;
- stress;
- damage to tissues of a mechanical nature.
Untimely medical care in such cases adversely affects the development of the fetus and the health of the future mother. Let us consider in more detail the reasons that contributed to the appearance of a lump in the airways.
Toxicosis
This is an inadequate reaction of the woman's body to the development of the fetus in the womb. The reason for intoxication lies in the lack of vitamins and minerals. Failure of metabolic processes leads to the production and accumulation in the blood of metabolic substances that have an aggressive effect, and as a result vomiting and nausea occur. These symptoms usually disappear in the twelfth week of pregnancy. The sensation of a foreign body in the throat occurs as a result of edema, the development of which is provoked by inflammation of the ciliated epithelium due to the reflux of digestive juice into the respiratory system due to frequent vomiting. To alleviate the condition, it is recommended to take large amounts of water, which should be drunk in small sips.
Pharyngeal neurosis
This pathology develops with a violation of the function of the central nervous system. Signs of the disease are manifested by impaired swallowing, a sensation of a foreign body in the larynx, tickle, itching. Harbingers of pathological changes in pregnant women:
- permanent stresses;
- hysteria;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- persistent colds;
- displacement of the cervical vertebrae.
In women who are expecting a baby for the first time, they often diagnose neurasthenia, as a result, the sensitivity of the pharynx tissue increases. The presence of symptoms: a lump in the throat, headache, spasm of the larynx, discomfort when swallowing - this is an occasion to contact a neurologist to undergo a course of treatment.
Hypothyroidism
This disease is one of the causes of sore throat in a pregnant woman. As a result of the disease, the synthesis of thyroid hormones decreases, which leads to their decrease in the blood. As a result of a deficiency in the body of pregnant iodine, various physiological changes occur, leading to iodine deficiency. The following symptoms develop:
- swelling of the neck;
- swelling of the extremities;
- increased gas formation;
- constipation
- muscle weakness;
- pain in the abdomen;
- thyroid enlargement;
- sensation of pain and lump in throat.
Hormone treatment is aimed at eliminating these symptoms. However, to exclude harm to the unborn baby, such therapy is started immediately after delivery.
Gastroesophageal Reflux
During pregnancy, intragastric pressure rises, as a result of which the gastric contents are ejected into the upper esophagus, which leads to the development of gastroesophageal reflux. The development of this pathology is facilitated by a violation of the bowel movement and weakening of the muscular tissues of the esophageal sphincter. Against the background of the disease, the pregnant woman feels a lump in the throat. An increase in the size of the uterus favors an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, which leads to the reflux of digestive juice into the airways . Cellular tissue of the pharynx is injured under the influence of acids and a mucous membrane burn is formed. The clinical signs of this pathology are as follows:
- belching;
- a lump in the throat when swallowing;
- tickle;
- persistent cough;
- heartburn;
- mucous membranes are dry.
Prevention of constipation is an effective measure that prevents the gastric juice from being thrown into the upper esophagus. By following a diet, a pregnant woman reduces the likelihood of throat discomfort.
Colds
The most common cause of a lump in the throat of a pregnant woman in the early stages is respiratory illness. Frequent relapses of the disease are associated with a decrease in immunity. The following pathological conditions cause discomfort in the throat:
- tracheitis;
- laryngitis;
- pharyngitis;
- tonsillitis;
- flu;
- rhinopharyngitis.
Clinical manifestations: fever, fatigue, drowsiness, pain when swallowing, an increase in regional lymph nodes. How to treat a lump in the throat of a pregnant woman? The doctor prescribes treatment with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs that are approved for use by pregnant women and aimed at eliminating the disease, which provoked discomfort in the pharynx. It must be remembered that improperly selected therapy can adversely affect the development of the fetus.
Prevention
In order not to raise the question of how to get rid of a lump in the throat, you should pay attention to preventative measures:
- Maintain immunity. Observe the regimen, engage in physical education, exclude smoking and drinking alcohol-containing drinks, take daily walks.
- Try to avoid stressful situations.
- Regularly moisten the nasal cavity with saline.
- Smaller in rooms with dry air.
- Timely treat diseases of the upper respiratory tract, thyroid gland, digestive tract.
Remember that symptoms and illnesses are easier to prevent than to treat. Proper diagnosis and identification of the cause of the pathology will help to prescribe adequate therapy. Self-medication is fraught with negative consequences and serious complications.