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A lump in the throat is a persistent feeling of something being stuck or lodged in the throat. Having a feeling of a lump in the throat even when nothing is physically present is called globus sensation. Usually, it is not painful but the sufferer finds it irritating.
Homeopathic Management
Homeopathy is highly effective in managing the lump-in-throat feeling. Homeopathic medicines are very safe, natural and reliable. These medicines are prescribed by taking into consideration the set of symptoms that attend it individually. It is advised to take homeopathic medicines under supervision of a homeopathic doctor after detailed case evaluation, avoid self-medication. It is to be noted that in case of a lump that can be felt or seen or when there is difficulty swallowing, choking, weight loss, and fever, it is advised to take help from conventional mode of treatment as this may be indicative of a serious medical ailment. In case some object is actually lodged in the throat or some bit of it has remained behind after removal in the past or where serious cause like cancer is present, then also immediate help from conventional mode should be taken.
Homeopathic Medicines For Lump-In-Throat Feeling
1. Asafoetida – For Sensation Of Lump Ascending In The Throat
It is a very effective medicine for cases in which there is a sensation of a lump ascending in the throat. Persons needing it feel like swallowing frequently to get this lump down the throat. A certain pressure is also felt in the throat. Soreness and burning sensation in pharynx can attend these symptoms. Dryness and burning sensation in the food pipe may also be there.
2. Hepar Sulph – For Sensation Of Plug Of Mucus
It is useful when there is sensation of a plug of mucus in throat. It is usually felt at the entry point of the throat where this medicine is required. Along with this, there may be enlarged, red and inflamed tonsils. The throat is raw and studded with reddish follicles. There may be pain or sticking sensation in throat. Pain is usually stitching type that extends to the ears. It gets worse while swallowing food.
3. Lachesis – For Sore, Inflamed Throat With Lump-In-Throat Feeling
This medicine is well indicated when there is sore, inflamed throat with a sensation of lump in throat. There is a constant feeling of something in the throat that needs to be swallowed. The lump moves down on swallowing but returns up again. The throat is very red where Lachesis is required. Throat pain extending to ears, hoarseness of voice and cough are some of the symptoms that can attend. Other than these, a constant tickling in the throat may be felt.
4. Belladonna – For Lump-In-Throat, Inflamed Throat, Pharyngitis, Tonsillitis
It is a natural medicine prepared from plant named ‘deadly nightshade’. It is one of the leading medicines in homeopathy for cases in which there is lump sensation in throat and inflammation of throat, pharynx and tonsils. In cases needing it, there is inflammation, swelling, marked redness of throat and tonsils. Pain in the throat gets worse from swallowing. Heat and soreness is also felt in throat. Along with the above, there is continued dryness of throat and mouth.
5. Kali Bichrome – For Lump-in-throat Feeling, Relaxed Uvula And Marked PND
Kali Bichrome is the next important medicine for lump feeling in the throat with a relaxed uvula and marked PND (dripping of mucus from back of nose into the throat). There is thick, viscous, tenacious, stringy mucus which drips in the throat from posterior nares. Cough can attend it. The throat feels full of mucus that can neither be swallowed nor gets hawked up. Uvula along with tonsils is red, swollen and painful. Sometimes ulcers are present on tonsils and throat. Other than this, there is redness and burning in pharynx. It is one of the most suitable medicines for managing many complaints arising in cases of sinusitis.
6. Natrum Phos – For Lump-In-Throat And Acid Reflux
It is very beneficial for managing cases having lump-in-throat sensation and acid reflux. Persons who need it also complain of acidity, heartburn, sour belchings and vomiting. There can be inflammation in throat too from acid reflux. Some people needing this medicine, may have PND. Thick, yellow mucus drops from the posterior nares. It is worse at night. Lastly, there may be soreness on right side of throat with pricking pain.
7. Natrum Mur – For Plug-In-Throat Feeling In Chronic Sore Throat
This medicine is prominently indicated for those complaining of plug-in-throat sensation as a result of a long- standing issue of sore throat. Throat feels swollen with a lump feeling which can not be swallowed. This is attended with rawness and burning pain in throat. Stitching pain in throat may also occur. Along with this, there is anxiety as if throat is blocked.
8. Psorinum – For Lump Feeling, Swollen Sensation And Tension In Throat
It is a valuable medicine for helping cases presented with lump feeling, swollen sensation and tension in the throat. In such cases, dryness and scraping sensation in throat may be felt. There may be pain in the throat while swallowing. The nature of pain is cutting or tearing type. In some cases needing it, ulcers in throat especially on right side may be present.
9. Ignatia – For Lump-In-Throat Feeling When Not Swallowing
This medicine is prepared from plant Ignatia Amara, also known as ‘St Ignatius Bean’. Its use is considered when there is a feeling of lump in throat when not swallowing anything. Along with this, stinging sensation is felt in the throat. The pharynx is red and inflamed, throat is sore. The tonsils may also be swollen, inflamed, and hard with small ulcers.
10. Silicea – For Lump-In-Throat And Hawking Of Thick Mucus
This medicine is indicated when there is a sensation of lump in throat and hawking (clearing of thick mucus from throat by forceful coughing). The mucus may be yellow or green with an offensive, fetid smell. A feeling of the throat being filled up and a burning sensation in throat is felt. The tonsils may have been inflamed since long where silicea is needed. It is also one of the best medicines for managing sinusitis symptoms.
What Are The Reasons Behind It?
It can arise from various causes. First reason is GERD. It refers to a condition in which backflow of stomach acid into the food pipe (esophagus) occurs. It can lead to swelling in tissue of the throat and tightening of muscles in throat. It may cause a lump-like feeling in throat along with other symptoms that include heartburn (a burning sensation in chest behind sternum), regurgitation of food, difficulty in swallowing, and chest pain.
Second cause is PND (posterior nasal drip). It means dripping of mucus from the back of the nose down into the throat. It is attended with a frequent desire to clear the throat. It may cause a lump sensation when there is excessive mucus collection in the back of throat. Its other symptoms apart from lump in throat sensation include sore, scratchy throat, foul breath, nausea and cough. Common reasons behind PND are cold, flu, allergies, sinusitis, DNS (deviated nasal septum) and acid reflux.
Next, it may arise if there is tension in throat due to improper relaxation of the throat muscles when not in use.
Inflammatory condition in the pharynx is another cause like pharyngitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis with marked PND.
Pharyngitis refers to inflammation of the pharynx which is the back of the throat. In simple words, it is also called sore throat. It causes sore, scratchy, dry throat, cough and difficulty in swallowing.
Tonsillitis refers to inflammation of the tonsils (tonsils are two oval-shaped mass of lymphatic tissues at the back of the throat one on each side). Mainly it is caused by viruses but may also occur from a bacterial infection. It may cause a feeling of lump in the throat along with its other signs and symptoms. These include red, swollen tonsils, pain in throat, difficult swallowing, fever, white patches on the tonsils, scratchy voice, bad breath.
Sinusitis is inflammation of para nasal sinuses which are air-filled spaces in the skull. It may cause lump-in-throat feeling along with other symptoms including thick nasal discharge, headache, post nasal drip, nasal congestion and pain, swelling, tenderness around forehead, eyes, cheeks, and nose.
Other than this it can occur in case of upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction. This results when there is improper functioning of the flap which controls airflow through the windpipe.
Next, it can arise in case of some intense emotions like stress, anxiety, or grief.
A person having thyroid disease may also feel lump-in-throat symptom.
In some cases, it can arise from a previously-lodged object in the throat.
Rarely, it can be caused by tumours in the throat.
