The sensation of being stuck in your throat is never a pleasant thing to go through. The feeling of something being stuck in your throat can be both physical and psychological, and it can lead to not only physical pain but also cause anxiety, stress and fear. When the sensation is persistent, or recurring a lot of the time, it can lead to difficultly eating and swallowing, which comes with its own set of problems. There are lots of different factors and conditions that might cause this feeling to occur. Some of the most common causes of this sensation include:
Dysphagia
Persistent problems with swallowing can be a result of a condition known as dysphagia, which is usually a symptom of a more serious underlying condition. This condition causes problems with swallowing and can be the result of conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, esophageal cancer and more. Along with having a sensation of something stuck in the throat, other symptoms can include bringing food back up after eating, gagging and vomiting, coughing, heartburn, and fast weight loss. Since this condition can prevent patients from getting the right nutrients in their diet, it may be worth trying options such as Simply Thick instant food thickener.
Something Stuck in the Throat
In the majority of cases, if you feel like there is something stuck in your throat then there probably is. It can be a very common problem among people who are wearing braces to straighten their teeth, for example, as they may not be able to chew their food as easily as they did without the braces, which can lead to food going down the throat in larger portions leading to a sensation of something being stuck. Eating too quickly can also lead to this problem. Make sure that you are eating slowly, taking smaller bites and drinking water to ease the passage of food through the esophagus.
Allergies
In some cases, an allergic reaction can cause inflammation and swelling to occur in the throat, which can lead to the feeling that something is stuck or lodged there. Allergies might occur due to a change in seasons, pets, and other allergens that can trigger an inflammatory response. Most of the time, this is not a huge cause for concern, and allergy-related inflammation can usually be treated with an over-the-counter antihistamine.
Tonsilitis
Tonsilitis is a condition that leads to an inflammation of the tonsils due to viruses and bacteria. When this occurs, it can lead to an uncomfortable sensation that might feel like something has gotten stuck in the throat. With tonsilitis, you might have difficulty swallowing due to the discomfort and pain affecting the tonsils, despite there not being anything actually stuck in the throat. Antibiotics can be prescribed, or in some cases surgery is needed.
The feeling of something being stuck in your throat can be frustrating, uncomfortable and sometimes scary. While sometimes it may simply by that you’ve chewed too quickly and need some water, sometimes it can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.
