Weird feeling in throat and chest
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Understanding the Weird Feeling in Throat and Chest: Causes and Symptoms
Tightness in Throat and Dyspnea
A feeling of tightness in the throat accompanied by dyspnea (difficulty breathing) can be alarming. One case study describes a patient experiencing extreme cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen), tightness in the throat, and dyspnea, along with a hard, dry cough that worsened with speaking or changing positions. The patient also felt a vague sensation of something being fixed inside the chest, which was exacerbated by attempts to speak or change posture1.
Lump in the Throat Sensation
The sensation of a lump in the throat, also known as globus pharyngeus, is a common complaint. It is often described as a painless feeling of a lump or foreign body in the throat, sometimes accompanied by throat clearing, chronic cough, hoarseness, and catarrh. This condition accounts for a significant number of ENT referrals and can be experienced by up to 45% of the population. The causes of globus pharyngeus are varied and can include cricopharyngeal spasm, gastro-oesophageal reflux, sinusitis, post-nasal drip, and anxiety, among others4.
Metallic Taste and Tender Spot
Another patient reported waking up with a strange metallic taste in the mouth and a lump in the throat when swallowing, which corresponded to a tender spot just below the Adam's apple. This was accompanied by a heaviness in the lower chest, suggesting a complex set of symptoms that were difficult to diagnose and often attributed to anxiety or stress by healthcare providers2.
Excessive Phlegm Production
A 58-year-old woman experienced a sensation of a lump in her throat for six months, which was intermittent and not worsening but caused significant concern. She also produced excessive amounts of phlegm but had no pain on swallowing and had not lost weight. This highlights that the sensation of a lump in the throat can be subjective and may not always have an identifiable physical cause3.
Foreign Body Sensation
A 64-year-old woman felt something stuck in her throat after eating fish, which she localized to the right side of her throat. Despite the sensation, there was no evidence of airway compromise, shortness of breath, cough, or retrosternal chest pain, and her swallowing was unaffected. This case underscores the importance of considering foreign bodies as a potential cause of throat discomfort5.
Conclusion
The sensation of a weird feeling in the throat and chest can stem from various causes, including physical obstructions, gastro-oesophageal reflux, psychological factors, and more. Symptoms can range from tightness and dyspnea to a lump sensation and excessive phlegm production. Accurate diagnosis often requires a thorough examination and consideration of multiple potential factors. If you experience persistent or severe symptoms, it is crucial to seek medical advice for proper evaluation and treatment.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
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I'm not a worried type, but I'm not a patient either, and I'm not going to let this go.
A 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.
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Very Rigorous JournalGlobus pharyngeus: an update for general practice.
Globus pharyngeus is a common, painless sensation in the throat, often associated with persistent cough, hoarseness, and catarrh, and may be caused by various factors.
Nothing fishy about this bone
A 64-year-old woman presented to the Emergency Department with a sensation of something'stuck in her throat'.
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Highly CitedManaging 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.
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