Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow It FeelsCausesRelief at HomeDiagnosisTreatmentComplicationsCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How It Feels
Causes
Relief at Home
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Coping
Aglobussensation is a feeling of having something stuck in your throat. It feels like a lump in the throat, but nothing is actually causing a blockage. Reasons for a globus sensation include emotional issues such as stress and anxiety or a physical issue such asgastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach contents back up into the food tube.
This article discusses the globus sensation and possible causes of a feeling of a lump in your throat.
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How Globus Sensation Feels
A globus sensation might cause a persistent awareness of how the throat feels, with symptoms such as:
Symptom Onset and Frequency
People may also find that the globus sensation comes on only at certain times. This can include when feeling strong emotions, such as grief or pride. This is usually temporary. Because it goes away, people don’t usually feel that they need to see a healthcare provider.
Causes of Globus Sensation
The globus sensation can be associated with emotions or mood, including feelings of anxiety or stress. It’s important to note, however, that it is not due to a psychological disorder.
The muscle at the top of theesophagus(upper esophageal sphincter) may experience increased pressure when the globus sensation is felt.When under stress or experiencing anxiety, people may tense their throat or swallow more frequently.
Most people have felt this at one time or another—feeling scared or nervous and then having the need to swallow repeatedly. The throat may feel dry and have a sensation that something is stuck in it. This cause may be considered a disorder of gut-brain interaction (DGBI).
Globus sensation may also be a symptom of a physical disorder. If it’s suspected that the tightness in the throat is associated with a condition, it should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Associated conditions include:
How to Relieve Globus Sensation at Home
The globus sensation may be temporary. It may go away when the feelings of stress or anxiety have passed. In this case, there may not be a reason to take much action.
You might first address “voice hygiene” at home. This may include avoiding things that could irritate the throat, such as smoking (cigarettesorcannabis) and drinkingalcoholor caffeinated drinks. You might change your diet to avoid anything that sets off symptoms or irritation.
You may try avoiding clearing your throat or excessive swallowing. One tactic is to be aware of how often you do those things and replace them with another behavior, such as taking a sip of water.
Testing to Diagnose Globus Sensation
No single test alone can diagnose an underlying cause of globus sensation. If a person has a known condition, it may be linked to it. Globus also could be short-lived, making it unnecessary to find a cause.
Possible tests to determine the cause of a persistent feeling of a lump in the throat include:
Globus Sensation Treatment Under ENT Provider
If the globus sensation is associated with a medical condition, the best course of action is to treat the underlying disorder. If the reason is GERD, or thought to be GERD, treatment with a medication that can reducestomach acidcalled aproton pump inhibitormight be used for a short time.
People who find the globus sensation persistent and bothersome even when other conditions are well controlled may be referred to specialists for further treatment.
The first step may be an evaluation with anear, nose, and throat (ENT) provider (otolaryngologist). Support from a mental health care provider may be helpful if the globus sensation comes on during periods of anxiety, panic, or other strong emotions.
Treatment with a speech therapist may be recommended if other therapies fail and no cause can be found.Mental health therapy may be useful.
Complications of Continuous Globus Sensation
Globus sensation doesn’t cause pain and isn’t associated with physical complications. However, long-term globus sensation can lead to depression.
Globus sensation can affect quality of life. Some people are given a trial of GERD drugs to see if they alleviate the symptoms, but they don’t always work. This, in turn, could lead to frustration and a need for further medical care.
Coping With Psychological Effects of Globus Sensation
If a physical cause for your globus sensation cannot be medically determined, you may be referred to a speech therapist or a mental health professional to help alleviate symptoms.
The following measures may further help relieve your symptoms:
Summary
Globus sensation may be distracting and a nuisance when no cause is found, but it is not associated with complications. It may occur during a stressful period and improve on its own. An acid reducer may be tried to stop the feeling because GERD is a common reason for globus.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gotfried J.Lump in throat. Merck Manual Consumer Version. September 2022.Jones D, Prowse S.Globus pharyngeus: an update for general practice.Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65:554-555. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X687193Atkins M, Burton Murray H, Staller K.Assessment and management of disorders of gut-brain interaction in patients with eating disorders.J Eat Disord. 2023;11:20. doi:10.1186/s40337-022-00731-6Buckley DP, Vojtech JM, Stepp CE.Relative fundamental frequency in individuals with globus syndrome and muscle tension dysphagia.J Voice.2021:S0892-1997(21)00347-7. doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2021.10.013Ding H, Duan Z, Yang D, et al.High-resolution manometry in patients with and without globus pharyngeus and/or symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux.BMC Gastroenterol. 2017;17:109. doi:10.1186/s12876-017-0666-xMedlinePlus.Barium swallow.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS).American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (endoscopy).American College of Gastroenterology.Esophageal physiologic testing.Imperiale MN, Lieb R, Meinlschmidt G.Treatment-associated network dynamics in patients with globus sensations: a proof-of-concept study.Sci Rep. 2023;13:15615. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-42186-yZerbib F, Rommel N, Pandolfino J, Gyawali CP. ESNM/ANMS Review.Diagnosis and management of globus sensation: a clinical challenge.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2020;32:e13850. doi:10.1111/nmo.13850Järvenpää P, Laatikainen A, Roine RP, Sintonen H, Arkkila P, Aaltonen LM.Symptom relief and health-related quality of life in globus patients: a prospective study.Logoped Phoniatr Vocol. 2019;44:67-72. doi:10.1080/14015439.2017.1397741
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gotfried J.Lump in throat. Merck Manual Consumer Version. September 2022.Jones D, Prowse S.Globus pharyngeus: an update for general practice.Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65:554-555. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X687193Atkins M, Burton Murray H, Staller K.Assessment and management of disorders of gut-brain interaction in patients with eating disorders.J Eat Disord. 2023;11:20. doi:10.1186/s40337-022-00731-6Buckley DP, Vojtech JM, Stepp CE.Relative fundamental frequency in individuals with globus syndrome and muscle tension dysphagia.J Voice.2021:S0892-1997(21)00347-7. doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2021.10.013Ding H, Duan Z, Yang D, et al.High-resolution manometry in patients with and without globus pharyngeus and/or symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux.BMC Gastroenterol. 2017;17:109. doi:10.1186/s12876-017-0666-xMedlinePlus.Barium swallow.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS).American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (endoscopy).American College of Gastroenterology.Esophageal physiologic testing.Imperiale MN, Lieb R, Meinlschmidt G.Treatment-associated network dynamics in patients with globus sensations: a proof-of-concept study.Sci Rep. 2023;13:15615. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-42186-yZerbib F, Rommel N, Pandolfino J, Gyawali CP. ESNM/ANMS Review.Diagnosis and management of globus sensation: a clinical challenge.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2020;32:e13850. doi:10.1111/nmo.13850Järvenpää P, Laatikainen A, Roine RP, Sintonen H, Arkkila P, Aaltonen LM.Symptom relief and health-related quality of life in globus patients: a prospective study.Logoped Phoniatr Vocol. 2019;44:67-72. doi:10.1080/14015439.2017.1397741
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gotfried J.Lump in throat. Merck Manual Consumer Version. September 2022.Jones D, Prowse S.Globus pharyngeus: an update for general practice.Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65:554-555. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X687193Atkins M, Burton Murray H, Staller K.Assessment and management of disorders of gut-brain interaction in patients with eating disorders.J Eat Disord. 2023;11:20. doi:10.1186/s40337-022-00731-6Buckley DP, Vojtech JM, Stepp CE.Relative fundamental frequency in individuals with globus syndrome and muscle tension dysphagia.J Voice.2021:S0892-1997(21)00347-7. doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2021.10.013Ding H, Duan Z, Yang D, et al.High-resolution manometry in patients with and without globus pharyngeus and/or symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux.BMC Gastroenterol. 2017;17:109. doi:10.1186/s12876-017-0666-xMedlinePlus.Barium swallow.American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS).American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (endoscopy).American College of Gastroenterology.Esophageal physiologic testing.Imperiale MN, Lieb R, Meinlschmidt G.Treatment-associated network dynamics in patients with globus sensations: a proof-of-concept study.Sci Rep. 2023;13:15615. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-42186-yZerbib F, Rommel N, Pandolfino J, Gyawali CP. ESNM/ANMS Review.Diagnosis and management of globus sensation: a clinical challenge.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2020;32:e13850. doi:10.1111/nmo.13850Järvenpää P, Laatikainen A, Roine RP, Sintonen H, Arkkila P, Aaltonen LM.Symptom relief and health-related quality of life in globus patients: a prospective study.Logoped Phoniatr Vocol. 2019;44:67-72. doi:10.1080/14015439.2017.1397741
Gotfried J.Lump in throat. Merck Manual Consumer Version. September 2022.
Jones D, Prowse S.Globus pharyngeus: an update for general practice.Br J Gen Pract. 2015;65:554-555. doi:10.3399/bjgp15X687193
Atkins M, Burton Murray H, Staller K.Assessment and management of disorders of gut-brain interaction in patients with eating disorders.J Eat Disord. 2023;11:20. doi:10.1186/s40337-022-00731-6
Buckley DP, Vojtech JM, Stepp CE.Relative fundamental frequency in individuals with globus syndrome and muscle tension dysphagia.J Voice.2021:S0892-1997(21)00347-7. doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2021.10.013
Ding H, Duan Z, Yang D, et al.High-resolution manometry in patients with and without globus pharyngeus and/or symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux.BMC Gastroenterol. 2017;17:109. doi:10.1186/s12876-017-0666-x
MedlinePlus.Barium swallow.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS).
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (endoscopy).
American College of Gastroenterology.Esophageal physiologic testing.
Imperiale MN, Lieb R, Meinlschmidt G.Treatment-associated network dynamics in patients with globus sensations: a proof-of-concept study.Sci Rep. 2023;13:15615. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-42186-y
Zerbib F, Rommel N, Pandolfino J, Gyawali CP. ESNM/ANMS Review.Diagnosis and management of globus sensation: a clinical challenge.Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2020;32:e13850. doi:10.1111/nmo.13850
Järvenpää P, Laatikainen A, Roine RP, Sintonen H, Arkkila P, Aaltonen LM.Symptom relief and health-related quality of life in globus patients: a prospective study.Logoped Phoniatr Vocol. 2019;44:67-72. doi:10.1080/14015439.2017.1397741
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