Persistent Sensation of a Blockage in My Throat
Greetings! I am a 34-year-old female, currently on Contrave, standing at 5 feet tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds. I do not smoke and drink alcohol only occasionally, less than once a month. Health-wise, I have no known conditions. Around two weeks ago, I began experiencing an unusual sensation when swallowing small objects, particularly pills. It feels as though they are lodged in the space at the back of my throat and might be pressing into my nasal passage. This sensation occurs every time I take a pill and can last for several hours, sometimes extending into days. Although it is not painful, it is quite bothersome, and I find it impossible to ignore. Drinking water, consuming food, or forcefully inhaling through my nose does not alleviate this feeling. I’m wondering if it's feasible for a pill to become trapped in that area, what might be causing this recurring sensation, and whether it’s serious enough that I should seek medical advice. Thank you for your assistance! I appreciate your help! ❤️
Answers (1)
7/23/2025, 9:31:02 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are experiencing a persistent sensation of a blockage in your throat, particularly when swallowing pills. While this can be uncomfortable, it's helpful to understand what might be causing it and what to do next.
Main Points
- The sensation could be related to an irritation or anxiety, rather than a physical blockage.
- It is essential to monitor symptoms and make adjustments that may ease the discomfort.
Explanation
The feeling you are describing may be due to something called "globus sensation," which is a common condition where a person feels like there is something stuck in their throat even when there isn’t anything physically there. It can happen for several reasons, including:
- Anxiety or Stress: Emotional factors can contribute to the sensation.
- Post-Nasal Drip: Mucus traveling down the back of the throat can create irritation.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Acid reflux could cause a similar feeling.
- Swallowing Technique: Sometimes, how we swallow can lead to discomfort or the feeling of blockage.
Given your current health conditions, it’s unlikely that a pill is physically trapped in your throat, especially if you've been able to swallow other foods or liquids without obstruction.
Next Steps
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Practice Swallowing Techniques: Try swallowing pills with a thicker beverage (like yogurt or applesauce), which may help ease the sensation.
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Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your throat moist. This can also help if post-nasal drip is contributing to the sensation.
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Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep track of when the sensation occurs, the types of pills you're swallowing, and any accompanying symptoms. This information can be helpful if you decide to discuss with a healthcare provider later.
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Relaxation Techniques: Consider implementing stress-reducing practices, such as deep breathing exercises or mindfulness, to see if the sensation improves.
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Evaluate Dietary Habits: Be mindful of foods that may trigger acid reflux (spicy, fatty foods, or caffeine) and try to avoid them.
If the sensation worsens, becomes painful, or is accompanied by additional symptoms (like difficulty breathing or swallowing), it would then be advisable to reach out to a healthcare provider for further evaluation. Remember, you're not alone in this—it’s a common issue, and there are ways to find relief!
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# 7-Month-Old Child with Abernethy Malformation - Exploring Treatment Options ## [7-Month-Old] Identified with Abernethy Malformation (Congenital Portosystemic Shunt) - Treatment Methods? **Age:** 7 months **Gender:** Female **Height:** Age-appropriate **Weight:** Currently 9 kg, was 2.8 kg at birth **Ethnicity:** Asian **Duration of Symptoms:** Present since birth **Location:** Uzbekistan **Pre-existing Health Issues:** Abernethy malformation (congenital portosystemic shunt), liver hemangiomas, chronic jaundice, anemia **Current Treatments:** Supportive management --- ## INITIAL PRESENTATION (June 2025 - July 2025) Our daughter arrived on **June 27, 2025**, presenting with: - Birth weight: **2.8 kg** - Marked jaundice (yellowing of skin and sclera) - Pale or clay-colored stools - **Bilirubin level: 245 μmol/L** (typically <20) An immediate ultrasound indicated multiple liver anomalies, initially thought to be hemangiomas. --- ## FIRST COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT (August 1, 2025 - 1 Month Old) ### Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) with 3-Phase Contrast (August 1, 2025): **RESULTS:** - 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7 Months Old) - **Weight:** 9 kg (good growth rate in spite of condition) - **Jaundice:** Continues to be present (yellow skin) - **Stools:** Remain pale/clay-colored - **Development:** Achieving appropriate milestones - **Energy:** Appears to have a good energy level - **Feeding:** Normal appetite --- ## QUESTIONS FOR r/AskDocs We have been informed this is **Type 2 Abernethy malformation** (portal vein present). **Three treatment avenues have been proposed:** ### Option 1: **Endovascular Coil Embolization** (minimally invasive approach) - A catheter is inserted via the leg vein to access the shunt and deploy coils/plugs to close the abnormal vessels - Pros: No surgical incision, minimal discomfort, short hospital stay (2-4 days), no scars, enhanced safety - Duration: 1-2 hours - Recovery: 2-4 weeks for jaundice to show improvement ### Option 2: **Open Surgical Intervention** - An incision in the abdomen to ligate abnormal vessels and redirect blood to the liver - Pros: Direct visualization, effective results - Cons: Surgical scar, longer recovery time (7-14 days in hospital) - Duration: 2-4 hours ### Option 3: **Liver Transplantation** - We have been advised this is not necessary as the portal vein is functional and liver health is improving. --- ## SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. **With a functional portal vein (6.1 mm) and improving liver function (ALT normalized), is it advisable to pursue endovascular closure as the preferred treatment?** 2. **Despite ALT levels improving, the bilirubin remains consistently high (242). Should this be a cause for concern? Is there a prospect for it to normalize post shunt closure?** 3. **Are the hemangiomas/nodules (11.6×20.7 mm) linked to the shunt? Will they likely resolve following shunt repair?** 4. **How urgent is the proposed intervention? Is immediate action required, or is there flexibility to wait a few months?** 5. **What complications should we be vigilant for during the waiting period?** 6. **Regarding endovascular closure - what is the average success rate for infants aged 7 months? Are there concerns regarding the shunt size (9.9 mm)?** 7. **The measurement of the portal vein has shown improvement from 6.1 mm to 3.9 mm; should this be perceived as a positive sign or a reason for concern?** 8. **Are there special directives (diet modifications, medications) we should consider while awaiting the procedure?** 9. **Post-procedure, how long should we expect it might take for:** - Normalization of bilirubin levels? - Return of stool color to normal? - Resolution of jaundice? - Regression of hemangiomas? 10. **Can you recommend any specialized centers for pediatric Abernethy malformation treatments? We are located in Uzbekistan but are prepared to travel (to Turkey, Russia, South Korea, etc.)** --- ## ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - No family history of hepatic diseases - Pregnancy and delivery were normal - No additional congenital defects identified - Immunizations up to date - No history of bleeding disorders - No signs indicative of encephalopathy - Child is alert and engaged --- **I can supply actual MSCT images and comprehensive lab reports if they would be of assistance.** We sincerely appreciate any insights you can provide. We are striving to make the most informed decision regarding our daughter’s care and highly value expert medical opinions. **TL;DR:** 7-month-old diagnosed with Abernethy Type 2 malformation (9.9 mm portocaval shunt, patent portal vein). Liver functionality is improving (normalized ALT) while bilirubin remains elevated (242). Evaluating options between endovascular coil embolization and open surgery. Seeking expert advice on optimal treatment strategy and timing.