Globus Sensation

What is globus sensation?

Globus sensation (globus pharyngeus, globus hystericus) is feeling like you have a lump in your throat even when there’s nothing there. It’s a symptom of several different conditions, including GERD, postnasal drip and thyroid disease. In many cases, globus sensation resolves on its own. But some people will need treatment to correct it.

Globus sensation differs from dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and odynophagia (painful swallowing). Globus sensation isn’t painful. But the lump in your throat can quickly become a source of annoyance, especially if it won’t go away.

Though globus sensation can be an annoyance, it’s usually not serious. But it’s important to tell your healthcare provider if it feels like something is stuck in your throat. They can run tests to find out whether you have an underlying condition that needs treatment.

What causes globus pharyngeus?

The most common cause of globus sensation is acid reflux (conditions like GERD and LPR). When stomach acid flows backward, it can irritate the lining of your food pipe (esophagus) and make your throat feel tight.

In other cases, throat tension can make it feel like there’s something stuck. Allergies, infections and anxiety can all cause muscle tension in this area.

Other globus sensation causes include:

• Cervical spine conditions. Structural changes to the upper part of your spine (neck) may press on nearby muscles or nerves and cause globus sensation in your throat.
• Inflammation. Swollen tissues near your throat, tonsils or sinuses can cause globus sensation.
• Postnasal drip. Excess mucus from your nose and sinuses can build up and slide down the back of your throat. This can trigger globus sensation.
• Smoking and vaping. Inhaling tobacco smoke or nicotine vapor can irritate the tissues in your throat and cause globus.
• Stress and anxiety. Holding back strong emotions, like grief, can make it feel like there’s a lump in your throat.
• Thyroid disease. An enlarged thyroid or thyroid nodules can press on surrounding structures and cause globus sensation.
• Vocal strain. Using your voice for extended periods of time can trigger muscle tension and globus sensation.

What can globus sensation be mistaken for?

Sometimes, globus sensation can look and act like other conditions. Examples include:

• Esophageal spasms: The muscles around your esophagus contract abnormally.
• Esophageal webs: Thin folds of tissue that form along your esophagus and make swallowing more difficult.
• Myasthenia gravis: An autoimmune disease that disrupts communication between your nerves and muscles. It can cause weakness in your throat muscles.
• Myositis: A rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and weakness in your muscle fibers.
• Myotonic dystrophy: A rare form of muscular dystrophy that prevents you from relaxing your muscles at will.
• Tumors in the neck or upper chest: Tumors in these areas can press on surrounding structures and cause tightness in your throat.

Be sure to see a healthcare provider if your symptoms don’t go away. They can determine whether you have globus or another condition.

How is globus sensation treated?

There’s no cure-all for globus pharyngeus. Treatment involves finding and addressing the underlying cause.

Possible globus sensation treatments include:

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Providers often prescribe PPIs when acid reflux causes globus symptoms. These medications reduce stomach acid production.
• Nasal sprays. These medications may ease globus sensation when postnasal drip causes it.
• Speech therapy. A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can teach you how to relax the muscles in your throat when they tighten.
• Antidepressants. When grief, anxiety, depression or other strong emotions cause globus sensation, antidepressants may help.
• Stress reduction. Practicing meditation or other mindfulness exercises may reduce tightness in your throat and get rid of globus sensation.

How long does globus pharyngeus usually last?

In many cases, globus sensation goes away on its own or only happens occasionally. But for some people, it’s persistent — and it can last for months or even years. If you have a persistent lump in your throat, ask your healthcare provider how to ease your symptoms.

Can globus sensation be prevented?

You can’t keep globus sensation from happening. But if you treat the underlying cause, it could prevent future episodes. If you feel like there’s something stuck in your throat, let your healthcare provider know. They can do a physical exam and run tests to find the cause of your symptoms.

How can I reduce my risk?

While you can’t prevent globus sensation, you can ease your symptoms by trying the following:

• Drink sips of water when your throat feels tight.
• Yawn widely or make exaggerated chewing motions to relax and loosen the muscles in your throat.
• Breathe in steam, either from a bowl of warm water or while in the shower.
• Try not to clear your throat excessively. This can cause additional irritation.

When should globus pharyngeus be treated by a healthcare provider?

Most of the time, globus sensation isn’t serious. But if you develop additional symptoms, it could point to another underlying condition.

You should tell your healthcare provider if you have globus in addition to:

• Neck pain.
• Sore throat.
• Regurgitation (spitting up food).
• A lump in your neck that you can feel when you press on it.