Feeling of Something Stuck in the Throat: Causes and Home Remedies
Having the feeling that something is stuck in the throat can be an annoying experience for many people. To get rid of that annoying feeling that something is lodged in the back of the throat, some people try coughing or swallowing frequently to try and clear their throat. The sensation of a lump in your throat can come and go and could be accompanied by hoarseness, a buildup of saliva at the back of the throat, inflammation, or, in some cases, difficulty swallowing.
The medical term for the sensation of something stuck in the throat is globus pharyngeus and this is also known as globus sensation. Dr. Michelle Wright on Patient.info says that the globus sensation could be caused by the muscles that are involved in swallowing. These muscles don’t relax properly resulting in a feeling that there is a lump in the throat or some other sort of obstruction in the throat when there is none.1 Stress, stomach acid coming back up the esophagus, throat infection, allergic reactions to food or insect bites can all cause the feeling of having a lump in your throat.
There are many home remedies that can help you get rid of the feeling of having a lump in your throat. For example, if your globus sensation is stress-related, learning how to manage stress levels can get rid of the sensation. If the feeling of something stuck in your throat is because of too much acid from your stomach coming back up, then home remedies for acid reflux can help. However, an allergic reaction that causes your throat to tighten and makes swallowing difficult requires prompt medical attention. If your symptoms persist or if you notice a physical lump in your throat, you should have a doctor check out the reasons for globus throat.
Let’s look at the various causes for experiencing a feeling that there is something stuck in your throat. I’ll also look at some of the best home remedies to alleviate your symptoms and treat the root of the problem that causes the sensation of a throat lump.
Feeling of Something Stuck in Your Throat – Causes and Home Remedies
Stuck Food or Object
If it feels like there is a lump in your throat, it could be because there is a piece of food or another object that has stuck there. This can happen if you haven’t chewed food properly or if a fish bone has lodged in your throat.
For minor obstructions in your throat, you can sometimes remove the food stuck in your throat by eating something soft. For example, chew on soft white bread until it is well moistened with saliva then swallow quickly to try and dislodge the piece of food.
If you have a fish bone stuck in your throat, some suggest spreading a thick layer of peanut butter on the bread. Chew the bread with the peanut butter well to get it moistened, and quickly swallow. The fish bone should stick to the peanut butter and remove it from where it is stuck in your throat.
You can also try swallowing a spoonful of honey to help get rid of a small piece of stuck food. The anti-inflammatory properties of honey will help to soothe any irritation in your throat and its texture can help to remove the stuck food.
Another way you can try is to cough out the stuck object. Coughing will help to expel the particles that are stuck in the throat.
The best way to prevent a piece of food from becoming stuck in your throat is to take small bites, chew your food well and drink water when you swallow.
Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) / Acid Reflux
A common reason for frequently experiencing the sensation of something stuck in the throat is gastroesophageal reflux. This is a condition whereby acid from the stomach leaks back into the esophagus and causes a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn) and a bitter taste in the mouth.
Some people who suffer from acid reflux say that they also have a constant odd cold feeling in throat. Acid reflux can also cause a sore throat, a chronic dry cough, or nausea after eating certain foods.
The World Journal of Gastroenterology reported that the globus sensation is experienced in over 60% of people who suffer from GERD.2 The feeling of lump in the throat occurs because the stomach acid causes irritation and inflammation in the esophagus and can also lead to hoarseness of the voice.
Use baking soda to treat GERD naturally and get rid of the feeling of having something stuck in your throat. Baking soda helps to neutralize some of the acid content in your stomach and can alleviate the irritation in your throat that GERD causes. You should mix 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in a glass of water and drink to ease your heartburn. One word of warning when using baking soda: you shouldn’t consume it on a regular basis because it contains a form of sodium, which should not be used it if you’re following a low-sodium diet. Also baking soda can interact with other medications and supplements.
Aloe vera juice is another natural remedy which can help to soothe the symptoms of GERD and heartburn. Aloe vera is well-known for its soothing effect on damaged skin, however, it also helps to soothe inflammation in the esophagus. One study showed that aloe vera syrup is an effective treatment for treating GERD. To help get rid of globus throat caused by GERD, you should drink a small sip or two of aloe vera juice about 20 minutes before each meal to soothe the throat and reduce the symptoms of GERD.
Stress
Many people find that stress makes the sensation of a lump in the throat worse. The reason for this is that muscle tension tends to increase when we’re under stress and this causes tightness in the back of the throat.
The connection between globus throat and stress was reported in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research. The study showed that patients who felt that something always being stuck in their throat were under more stress than the control group. It was also found that in the time period before stressful events in their life, they didn’t have any symptoms of globus pharyngeus.
Stress affects the body in many ways, therefore it’s important to find ways to manage stress levels effectively. There are many natural remedies for anxiety and stress that can help you to find relief from their effects.
To relieve stress you can mix some drops of lavender essential oil with a carrier oil and add to a warm bath to enjoy its soothing effects on your nerves. Soak in the bath for 20 minutes to relax and help reduce your stress levels. Using a few drops of lavender on your pillow can help you sleep better, which is another way to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. You can also use these other essential oils to relieve stress and anxiety.
For other ways to reduce stress, please read my article about natural remedies for anxiety and stress.
Reducing stress is also another way to help relieve the symptoms of GERD. A study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology found a clear connection between increased sensitivity to acid in the esophagus and stress. So, managing stress levels effective is a great way to look after yourself and it may help you lose that “lump in the throat” sensation.
General Anxiety Disorder / Panic Attack
If you suffer from high levels of anxiety and worry about everyday activities and events, you may find that you frequently have a feeling that there is something blocking your throat.
The British Journal of General Practice says that there is a link between globus pharyngeus and anxiety disorders in patients. In fact, as many as 96% of people with general anxiety disorder also experience a feeling that they have food or something else stuck in their throat.4 Dr. Kathleen Romito on WebMD says that having difficulty swallowing is also one of the symptoms of general anxiety disorder.5
The University of Maryland suggests that ginger and chamomile can help to reduce feelings of anxiety.3 All you have to do to make a stress-relieving cup of ginger tea is to chop up about 1-inch fresh ginger root and let it steep in a cup of boiling water. To make chamomile tea simply pour boiling water into a cup of water and let a chamomile tea bag (or 2-3 teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers or double the amount for fresh flowers) infuse for a few minutes. Drink ginger tea or chamomile tea regularly to feel calmer and this may help to get rid of the feeling that you have something stuck in your throat.
High levels of anxiety and panic attacks can be more difficult to treat than stress. However, there are many effective home remedies that can help calm your nerves and reduce anxiety and depression. For example, bergamot, lemon, geranium, chamomile, and sandalwood essential oils can help to lift overwhelming feelings of anxiety.
Many people have used serotonin or dopamine supplements to help improve mood, treat depression, and regain a general feeling of happiness in life.
Reducing anxiety and stress in your life will boost your general health and may help that feeling of a lump in your throat to go away.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis can cause inflammation in the throat leading to the sensation that something is blocking the throat. You may also experience pain and difficulty when swallowing.
Dr. Carol DerSarkissian on WebMD says that tonsillitis is caused by an infection at the back of your throat that can cause swollen glands in your neck, redness, pain, blisters on the throat, white spots on tonsils, and fever.6 Therefore, swollen glands may be the reason you feel there is a blockage in your throat, especially if your throat is red and inflamed.
There are many effective natural treatments to kill off the bacteria causing tonsillitis and reduce redness and inflammation in the throat.
One of the most effective home remedies for tonsillitis is to gargle with salt water. The salt solution can help to heal tonsillitis quickly and reduce the swelling in the throat associated with it. All you need to do to get rid of tonsillitis faster is to dissolve 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt in an 8 oz. glass of water. Gargle with the mixture several times a day until the swelling in your throat has gone completely.
You can also use garlic for its antibacterial and antiviral compounds to treat the symptoms of tonsillitis. Although garlic has a strong taste, you will be amazed at how quickly it gets rid of the infection in your throat. The best way to use garlic to treat a throat infection is to mince up a one or 2 garlic cloves and let them stand for 10 minutes. This lets the active ingredient allicin to form. Mix the garlic with some plain yogurt or raw honey and consume 2-3 times a day until your tonsillitis gets better and the swelling in your throat is gone completely. You can find more natural treatments for tonsillitis in my article about the best home remedies for tonsillitis.
Thyroid Issue
Issues relating to your thyroid gland can make you feel that you have something stuck in your throat. A study from Belgium found that an enlarged thyroid can cause the symptoms of globus pharyngeus, which can also lead to difficulty in swallowing.
I have written a number of articles about the most common thyroid disorders, as well as the top 13 signs that you may have a thyroid disorder, but since thyroid issues can be complicated, see your doctor or an endocrinologist if you suspect that you have a problem with your thyroid.
Allergies
Allergies can cause severe swelling in the throat which can be life threatening because it can block the airways. If a person suffers an anaphylactic shock (serious allergic reaction), you should seek medical attention immediately. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction are hives, sneezing, itchy lips or tongue, itchy throat, tightness in your throat, as well as others.
A study carried out in Thailand found that many people who complained that they had a feeling of something stuck in their throat were treated by giving them anti-allergy treatments.
Of course, if you are allergic to certain foods or insect bites and stings, you should avoid these to prevent swelling causing a blockage in your throat.
If you have a minor allergic reaction that gives a feeling of a lump in your throat, you can try one of the natural antihistamines to treat allergic reactions that I have written about on this website. You can also try to use essential oils for allergies.
One of these natural antihistamines to reduce swelling is stinging nettle (urtica dioica). It contains compounds that act like antihistamines and can help to treat the symptoms of allergies. One scientific study found that taking 300 mg freeze-dried stinging nettle helps to relieve allergic symptoms.7
Esophagitis
Esophagitis is inflammation of the tissues in the esophagus that can cause a feeling of an object being stuck in the throat. Many of the causes of globus pharyngeus mentioned in this article can cause esophagitis.
Doctors at the Mayo Clinic say that you can ease the symptoms of esophagitis by avoiding foods that increase reflux, maintain proper weight, quit smoking, and not lying down after eating.8
Esophageal webs and rings
Esophageal webs and rings can develop in the esophagus and give you a feeling like something is blocking your throat. Rings and webs are the most common structural abnormalities of the esophagus9, and sometimes they can cause difficulty when swallowing.
According to Harvard Medical School, because this condition may be related to acid reflux or iron deficiency anemia, you can take measures to prevent and treat these disorders.10
Throat Cancer
In the majority of cases, the causes of feeling like you have something stuck in your throat are harmless and can be easily treated naturally by using home remedies. However, sometimes the lump in the throat could be cancerous.11
Patient information provided by the National Health Service in the United Kingdom says that most patients who have a feeling of something stuck in their throat have nothing to worry about. They say that if the feeling of a throat blockage doesn’t go away, is persistent and starts to cause pain that radiates to your ear, you should visit your doctor for a full examination. 12
Read my other related articles:
1. Bitter Taste in Mouth: Causes and Treatments
2. The Best Natural Remedies for Strep Throat
3. White Spots on Throat – 6 Common Causes
4. How to Get Rid of a Tickle in Your Throat
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