Focusing On The “Lump On Throat Sensation”

Sensing the lump on throat sensation is not only an uncomfortable experience, but also a frightening one. terrifying in such a way that a person is not sure of what disease condition is present within him after this unusual feeling becomes known.

But what does this symptom really signifies? could it be dangerous or life-threatening? or does it need immediate treatment or not? these are only some of the common questions that a person would often ask once this unusual sensation appears.

In fact, a lump on throat sensation signals a variety of condition, some of which needs immediate attention and treatment. others are just caused by a mild health problem, and do not really need invasive treatments or hospitalization. a short review of some of these conditions is presented below:

• Anxiety and Panic Attacks – in mild reasons, these can be the cause of that disturbing feeling upon swallowing. anxiety usually involves mental and physical symptoms. once a person is frightened or anxious, he has disturbed perception field and cannot focus or think clearly. when he experiences disturbed thought process, he will manifest these with physical symptoms, such as constipation, overeating or lack of interests in food, and of course the lumpy feeling on the throat. just try to observe those who are about to speak in public places for the first time. they often show signs of frequent hard swallowing. this is an objective indication that “lump on throat sensation” is being manifested.
  
• Hyperthyroidism – in this disease condition, there is an obvious or visible lump in the throat, and not only a feeling of a “fur ball” or “strangulation” just like what is felt in anxiety and panic attacks. this is caused by an overproduction or under absorption of thyroid hormones that these gather around in the throat area and swells the tissues around it. this is often referred to as goiter.
  
• Tumor and Cancers – the same as with hyperthyroidism, there is a visible appearance of a hardened mass or tissue that causes a lumpy feeling upon swallowing. laryngeal, pharyngeal, or esophageal cancers are some of the malignancies that causes this kind of symptom, and treatment is needed at once to control the spread of cancer cells in other organs.
  
• Choking – when a person swallowed something hard and it blocked the esophagus, he will obviously experience the “lump on throat sensation”. it is similar to a feeling of being in a garrotte.

Treatment for this kind of symptom varies on the condition that precipitated it. for anxiety, the lumpy feeling can be lessened by drinking a glass of warm water. for hyperthyroidism, tumors or cancer, treating the condition itself will eradicate the sensation. for choking, removing the object that blocked the airway will ease the symptom. 

A symptom is not only and always true for a single condition, because there are other disease conditions that manifest similar signs, and some of these requires a health emergency intervention. a clearer idea on how a “lump on throat sensation” occurs will help an individual to understand his condition, and will signal him if he needs to submit himself for prompt treatment or not.

More information about Anxiety Treatment | Back to Symptoms of Anxiety Disorder.