Strange Throat Sensations?
Greetings everyone, I'm a 27-year-old female dealing with asthma and hypothyroidism. Last year, I experienced a severe viral infection that didn’t test positive for COVID but felt similar. Unfortunately, it led to damage to my vocal cords, resulting in a complete loss of my voice for several months, and I haven't fully regained it since. I underwent a CT scan of my head and neck last August, along with bronchoscopy and laryngoscopy, all of which yielded normal results. Consequently, I participated in some speech therapy. Ever since, I’ve been experiencing this globus sensation and have become overly conscious of my throat. Recently, I noticed some additional peculiar symptoms. When conversing with individuals outside my immediate family, I tend to project my voice more, and I’ve found myself having this odd cough or wheeze whenever I laugh heartily. This phenomenon only occurs when I’m speaking loudly. Additionally, I have been waking up with a very sore throat that appears quite red and irritated according to my doctor, and I suffer from persistent post-nasal drip. What has become increasingly concerning is that in the past week, I’ve experienced coughing fits while eating three times. I’m unsure if this is simply a case of eating harder foods or if it’s related to my throat discomfort, but naturally, I've consulted the internet, which has raised alarm bells about potential cancer symptoms, causing me considerable anxiety. I’ve already requested my prescription for a nasal spray to alleviate the post-nasal drip, and my doctor is considering prescribing omeprazole, which I’m okay with. I’m reaching out for some guidance because I neglected to mention the issue of food getting stuck and causing me to cough to my doctor, and now I’m feeling anxious about it. It’s almost as if food tickles the back of my throat or becomes lodged there.
Answers (1)
8/22/2025, 9:32:11 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you are experiencing several overlapping symptoms that are understandably causing you anxiety. The sensations in your throat, along with the coughing fits and post-nasal drip, can be quite distressing. Let’s break down your concerns and outline some steps you can take to alleviate your symptoms and manage your anxiety.
Main Points:
- You are experiencing throat discomfort and globus sensation.
- Coughing fits while eating may relate to throat sensitivity or irritation.
- Your post-nasal drip and sore throat might be contributing to your irritation.
Explanation:
Globus sensation is the feeling of having something stuck in your throat and can often occur alongside anxiety or as a result of throat irritation. Given your recent history with vocal cord damage, this sensation can be compounded by any irritation from post-nasal drip or reflux. The tightness you experience when speaking loudly may also be related to vocal strain. The sore throat and redness observed by your doctor, which impacts your daily activities, warrants further attention to ensure that all possible causes are considered.
Coughing while eating can happen for various reasons: it may be due to swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) or simply food getting lodged temporarily in your throat, especially if your throat is irritated or if you’re eating quickly or not chewing thoroughly.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Your Symptoms:
- Keep a record of when your coughing fits occur, including what you were eating and your throat sensations at the time. This will help you identify any patterns or specific triggers.
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Adjust Eating Habits:
- Try eating smaller bites and chewing your food thoroughly. Take your time during meals to lessen the risk of food getting stuck.
- Avoid excessively hard or dry foods until you're more comfortable.
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Nasal Spray Usage:
- Begin using the nasal spray your doctor prescribed. This can help alleviate the post-nasal drip, reducing irritation in your throat.
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Consider Omeprazole:
- If your doctor prescribes omeprazole, follow through, as it can help reduce stomach acid and may alleviate any acid reflux that could contribute to your throat discomfort and cough.
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Practice Relaxation Techniques:
- Consider techniques such as deep breathing or gentle vocal exercises to help with throat tension and manage anxiety about your symptoms.
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Follow-Up with Your Doctor:
- Given your multi-faceted symptoms, it may be helpful to revisit your doctor to discuss the coughing fits and the sensation of food getting stuck. Share your symptom diary and any patterns you've observed.
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Stay Informed but Balanced:
- It's natural to worry, especially with information available online. Try to focus on your documented experiences and discussions with your healthcare provider rather than jumping to conclusions.
In summary, keeping track of your symptoms and making a few modifications to your eating habits can make a significant difference. You aren't alone in navigating this situation, and with proper management and follow-up, your symptoms can be addressed effectively. Please reach out if you have further questions or need additional support.
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