Feels like something stuck in throat and burping
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Understanding the Sensation of Something Stuck in the Throat and Burping
Introduction to Throat Sensation and Burping
The sensation of something stuck in the throat, often referred to as globus sensation, is a common complaint that can be distressing. This feeling can be accompanied by burping, which may or may not be related to the underlying cause of the throat sensation. Understanding the potential causes and appropriate diagnostic approaches is crucial for effective management.
Causes of Globus Sensation
Structural and Functional Causes
Globus sensation can arise from various structural and functional abnormalities. For instance, a 64-year-old woman experienced a sensation of something stuck in her throat after eating fish, which was investigated using a soft tissue neck X-ray1. Similarly, a 45-year-old female patient reported feeling food stuck in her throat due to multiple mucoceles located in the nasopharynx and hypopharynx9. These cases highlight the importance of thorough physical and endoscopic examinations to identify any structural causes.
Psychogenic Factors
Psychogenic factors also play a significant role in globus sensation. Studies have shown a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities among patients with globus sensation. For example, a study found that 64.28% of globus patients had psychiatric conditions such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and somatoform disorders7. This suggests that psychological evaluation is essential when no organic cause is detected.
Diagnostic Tools and Questionnaires
Glasgow Edinburgh Throat Scale (GETS)
The Glasgow Edinburgh Throat Scale (GETS) is a validated questionnaire used to assess throat symptoms, including globus sensation. The Japanese version of GETS (GETS-J) has shown high reliability and validity, making it a useful tool for identifying globus patients and evaluating the severity of their symptoms2 5. The questionnaire includes items related to the feeling of something stuck in the throat, throat closing off, and the constant urge to swallow.
Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS)
A videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) is another diagnostic tool that can help characterize the etiology of globus sensation. This imaging technique allows for the visualization of swallowing mechanics and can correlate subjective globus location with atypical findings3. VFSS is particularly useful when structural abnormalities are suspected.
Management Strategies
Medical and Psychological Interventions
Management of globus sensation often involves addressing both medical and psychological aspects. For instance, a 47-year-old woman with a persistent lump sensation in her throat was initially treated with a proton pump inhibitor for a hiatus hernia, but her symptoms did not improve. She was eventually diagnosed with globus and advised to consider speech therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, or amitriptyline if her symptoms worsened4. This case underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach in managing globus sensation.
Integrated Treatment Approach
Given the high burden of psychiatric comorbidities among globus patients, an integrated treatment approach that includes regular psychiatric evaluation and screening for mental health issues is recommended7. This holistic approach can help address the underlying psychological factors contributing to the sensation.
Conclusion
The sensation of something stuck in the throat, often accompanied by burping, can result from a variety of structural, functional, and psychogenic causes. Diagnostic tools such as the GETS questionnaire and VFSS are valuable in identifying the underlying etiology. Effective management requires a multidisciplinary approach that addresses both medical and psychological factors to provide comprehensive care for patients experiencing globus sensation.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Nothing fishy about this bone
A 64-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department with a sensation of something'stuck in her throat'.
Case Report
Rigorous JournalReliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Glasgow Edinburgh Throat Scale (GETS-J): Use for a symptom scale of globus sensation.
The Japanese version of the Glasgow Edinburgh Throat Scale (GETS-J) is a reliable and valid questionnaire for identifying globus sensation patients and evaluating disease severity, with anxiety potentially complicating somatic distress.
Observational StudyCorrelating videofluoroscopic swallow study findings with subjective globus location
Videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS) is useful for identifying globus etiology and correlating subjective globus location to atypical VFSS findings in patients with globus.
Managing a patient with globus pharyngeus
A 47-year-old woman with persistent throat pain was diagnosed with globus pharyngeus, a benign condition affecting the throat and causing no other symptoms.
Case ReportGlobus pharyngis: development of a symptom assessment scale.
The Glasgow-Edinburgh Throat Scale (GETS) is a clinically useful tool for assessing and monitoring the severity of common throat ailments, with distress predicted by the intensity of globus sensation and anxiety level.
Observational Study
Highly CitedQuincke’s disease
A 32-year-old man presented to the otorhinolaryngology emergency with complaints of sudden onset of foreign body sensation in his throat associated with drooling and muffled voice. The patient had consumed seafood (prawns) the previous night and woke up with the sensation of something ‘stuck’ in
Case ReportPsychiatric Co-morbidities Among Patients of Globus Pharyngeus Attending Psychiatry Clinic of a Teaching Hospital
Psychiatric co-morbidities are prevalent in patients with globus sensation in the throat, suggesting a need for regular psychiatric evaluation and integrated treatment approaches.
Observational StudyDysphagia (Trouble Swallowing) in People With Head and Neck Cancer.
Dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients can cause difficulty in eating and drinking, leading to weight loss and other health issues.
Multiple Mucoceles Located in the Nasopharynx and Hypopharynx: Case Report
Multiple mucoceles in the nasopharynx and hypopharynx were found in a 45-year-old female patient with intermittent difficulty breathing and food getting stuck in the throat.
Case ReportA feeling of a lump in the throat
The patient should be evaluated for a physical cause, as a subjective feeling may not be a physical symptom.
Case Report
Very Rigorous Journal