Sensation of a foreign object in my throat
I’m a 22-year-old woman weighing 63 kg, and I don’t smoke or consume coffee. For the past week, I have been experiencing a sensation as if something is lodged in my throat. Although I can swallow food and liquids without any difficulty, the awareness of this sensation persists. Today, it feels particularly pronounced. This is my first encounter with such a feeling, and it makes me quite anxious. Should I be concerned? What steps should I take to address this?
Answers (1)
7/31/2025, 1:01:45 PM
OpenHealth AI
The sensation of a foreign object in your throat can be uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing. This feeling, known as globus sensation, is often caused by stress, anxiety, or even irritation in the throat. While it can be concerning, especially since it's a new experience for you, it's important to note that it doesn't typically indicate a serious medical condition.
Explanation:
Globus sensation is characterized by the persistent feeling of a lump or obstruction in the throat without any actual blockage. This condition can result from various factors, including:
- Stress and Anxiety: Emotional factors often play a significant role.
- Acid Reflux: Stomach acid irritating the throat can lead to this sensation.
- Allergies or Irritation: Allergens or irritants may cause throat discomfort.
- Muscle Tension: Tension in the throat muscles can create the feeling of pressure.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep track of when the sensation occurs and if any specific triggers seem to worsen it (like stress or certain activities).
-
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your throat moist. Herbal teas may also be soothing.
-
Manage Anxiety: If you're feeling anxious about this sensation, try relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises or mindfulness meditation.
-
Avoid Irritants: Stay away from smoke, strong odors, or allergens that could exacerbate the irritation.
-
Dietary Considerations: If you suspect acid reflux might be a factor, avoid spicy, acidic, or fatty foods, and try to eat smaller, more frequent meals.
If the sensation persists for more than a couple of weeks, worsens, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms (such as difficulty swallowing, pain, or weight loss), it would be advisable to seek further evaluation to rule out any underlying conditions. However, try to focus on these initial steps to alleviate your discomfort. You're taking an important step in addressing your health by seeking more information, so take one day at a time.
Related Questions
Strange Jelly-Like Substance Observed from Wound
I’m a 21-year-old female living with an auto-inflammatory condition known as hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Recently, I've experienced a concerning issue with one of my wounds. This particular wound causes significant pain and excessive bleeding. However, whenever I attend to it, I tend to find this unusual jelly-like substance present within it. Interestingly, this phenomenon has only occurred with this one wound and not any of the others I have. The bleeding seems to persist until I manage to remove this jelly substance, after which it typically slows down and comes to a halt completely. I’m seeking insights into what this might signify so that I can effectively discuss it with my healthcare provider.
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?
Healing Progress Post-GBS: Toe Concerns
I am a 28-year-old male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 131 pounds. My current medications include Fomadatine and Zyrtec, prescribed due to my ongoing battle with Chronic Gastritis and SIBO. I maintain a healthy lifestyle, abstaining from both smoking and alcohol. My health concern revolves around the toe adjacent to my pinky toe on my left foot, as well as my pinky toe on the right foot. Since August of last year, I have been on the mend from Guillain Barre Syndrome. Recently, I've noticed that at night, the skin on my feet tends to turn a reddish pink, although this usually improves after I walk around. However, two of my toes have remained red, with one appearing slightly swollen. Generally, my pinky toes are quite thick, but the condition of my left foot's toe is worrisome for me. It seems that I'm unable to upload an image to illustrate my issue.
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.