Why Do I Feel A Lump In My Throat?

Globus pharyngeus or globus sensation is the feeling of having a lump in your throat. Generally unrelated to an actual blockage, it is the persistent sensation that something is lodged there. The condition is usually benign and doesn’t interfere with swallowing or breathing, but it can cause (and be related to) stress and anxiety. Globus is a fairly common complaint, accounting for four percent of referrals to ear, nose and throat specialists.

Though there is no specific protocol for its diagnosis, globus may be the determination after a thorough examination is done and other, more serious conditions (ie: thyroid disease, tumor, blockage) are ruled out. Sometimes a scope will be used to look into the throat. While patients don’t normally experience pain, it can be annoying and induce feelings of anxiousness or discomfort.

The most common cause of globus (not related to anxiety per se) is acid reflux, which can lead to inflammation of the esophagus and ergo, that lump-in-the-throat feeling. A benign mucosal lesion (caused by a scratch or chancre sore) or a spasm of the upper esophageal sphincter can also be to blame. In the case of the latter, Botox injections have been used to relax the muscle and ease the symptoms. Most of the time the condition will disappear on its own.