Why do i feel something moving in my throat

Key takeaways:

• A lump in the throat, or globus sensation, is the painless feeling of tightness, fullness, or something in the throat.

• Globus sensation is usually not worrisome and may go away on its own.

• If you have globus sensation that persists or comes with other symptoms, see your healthcare provider to have it checked.

Feeling a lump in your throat can be distracting and unsettling — especially if you don’t know what’s causing it. The medical term for this feeling is globus sensation, and it’s a common condition. In fact, many people will see their healthcare provider for it at one time or another. 

Although its causes are not well understood, globus sensation is often nothing to worry about. Keep reading to find out more about its possible causes, treatment, and when to see your healthcare provider.

What is globus sensation (a lump in your throat)?

Globus sensation, or globus pharyngeus, is the name for the feeling of a lump in your throat. It doesn’t cause any pain, but it can feel like there is something in your throat that shouldn’t be there. It may also feel like a tightness or a fullness. The feeling can come and go. Often it goes away with eating and doesn’t affect your ability to chew or swallow.

If you’ve felt a lump in your throat before, you’re not alone. In a recent survey, 8% of adults reported having globus sensation in the previous 3 months. In another study, around 4% of new visits to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist over a year were due to complaints of a lump in the throat. Globus sensation happens in men and women about equally, but women may be more likely to see their healthcare provider about the symptoms.

What could a lump in the throat be? 

Globus sensation by itself is not harmful and can happen without an underlying cause or associated illness. In fact, the exact cause of globus sensation is unknown. That said, there are other health conditions associated with the feeling of a lump in the throat. 

When you see your healthcare provider, they will check you for potential causes of your symptoms, including:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux can cause heartburn and has also been associated with globus sensation. In some studies, it has been seen in up to 68% of people with globus sensation.

• Esophageal motility disorders occur when muscles of the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat with the stomach) don’t contract normally. This makes it harder for the esophagus to get food and liquid into the stomach. Along with GERD, esophageal motility disorders are the most common condition seen in people with globus sensation.

• Esophageal sphincter dysfunction occurs when there is a problem with the muscular ring (sphincter) found in the upper or lower esophagus. When these muscles work well, they prevent food and liquid in the stomach from coming back up. Globus sensation has been linked to abnormal upper esophageal sphincter function, but the research has not been consistent.

Other conditions that have been associated with globus sensation include:

• Inflammation in the mouth or throat

• Dry mouth

• Thyroid disease

• Paraesophageal (hiatal) hernia

• Enlarged tonsils

• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck

• Prior uvulopalatoplasty (removal of extra tissue in the throat)

• Mass at the base of the tongue

Can you have a lump in your throat that is not cancer? 

Yes, and feeling like you have a lump in your throat is usually not caused by cancer. One study followed a small number of people with globus sensation over time. After about 5 years, none of them had cancer of the pharynx (throat) or esophagus.

Although this is reassuring, there are some symptoms to watch out for (more on this below). Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider if you have globus sensation and additional symptoms.

Can anxiety cause a lump in your throat?

Yes, globus sensation has been associated with anxiety and other mental health conditions like depression. But we still don’t fully understand this association.

Research suggests a link between the start of globus sensation and an increase in recent stressful life events. But other studies have found that people with globus sensation don’t have more mental health conditions than other people. More research is needed to fully understand what causes globus sensation.

Even if you have anxiety and globus sensation, don’t dismiss your symptoms. If you are concerned, you can still talk to your healthcare provider about other possible causes.

How do I get rid of a lump stuck in my throat?

Because the cause of globus sensation is unknown, we don’t know the best treatment for it. In many cases, globus sensation can improve or go away on its own without treatment. If you’ve been diagnosed with another health condition associated with globus sensation (such as GERD), treating that condition will often help the lump in your throat. 

Some common treatment options include:

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are medications used to treat GERD. They have been used for treatment of globus because of its link with GERD. Improvement in symptoms has been noted after treatment with pantoprazole (Protonix). But, overall, the research does not show a consistent benefit from PPIs. 

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a category of medications used to treat depression. In one study, amitriptyline (Amitril) (a TCA) improved globus sensation more effectively than pantoprazole. Amitriptyline may work by decreasing pressure in the upper esophageal sphincter.  

• Speech therapy – working with a speech language pathologist on exercises for the muscles of the throat and voice box – is a treatment option that doesn’t involve medication. Although there are different approaches to speech therapy for treatment of globus sensation, research suggests it can help.

Many of the treatments used haven’t been studied extensively, and some studies have shown conflicting results about the benefit. Additionally, the medications above are “off-label” for treatment of globus sensation. This means they aren’t approved by the FDA for this purpose and haven’t been studied extensively. Talking about your options with your healthcare provider will help you find the best treatment for you.

When should you see a doctor?

It’s a good idea to see your healthcare provider if the feeling of the lump in your throat is persistent or happens with other symptoms, including:

• Unexplained weight loss

• Pain with swallowing

• Difficulty swallowing

• Throat pain

• Change in voice

• Neck or throat mass

• Enlarged lymph nodes

• Smoking 

• Alcohol use

Any of the above in addition to globus sensation increases the concern that your symptoms could be from cancer. It’s important to have it checked to be sure, and to get peace of mind.

Your healthcare provider will discuss your symptoms with you and do an exam to check your neck, thyroid, mouth, and throat. Your primary care provider can make an initial assessment, but you may also need to see a specialist. A gastroenterologist can help if a problem with the esophagus is suspected. An ENT specialist can check the throat and voice box.

The bottom line

Having globus sensation, or a lump in your throat, can be an annoying and persistent symptom, but it’s usually not worrisome. It may come and go and eventually go away on its own. If it doesn’t go away or comes with any other symptoms, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider to see if there’s another cause.

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