Have you ever had the feeling of having a 'lump in your throat'? That feeling in which it seems that it is impossible for you to swallow any food or breathe normally. In other words, you think you have a blocked throat when it is simply a sensation caused by a general state of nerves, stress or anxiety. But why do we have the feeling that we have a lump in our throat? There are different causes that cause one of the most widespread symptoms of an anxiety disorder.
The sensation of a lump in the throat appears as a response to a contraction of the muscles and a decrease in the production of saliva. As a consequence, the mouth dries up, we notice a condition in the stomach and that is when the lump in the throat appears. It can appear when there is "an increase in muscle tension in the muscles of the throat or just below the throat, or it can also be due to gastroesophageal reflux" they state from the MSD manuals. Also called hysterical balloon or pharyngeal balloon, the lump in the throat manifests itself mainly in episodes of anxiety as a response to a situation that generates threat or nerves.
If you have the feeling of a lump in your throat frequently, we advise you to visit a professional who will make a diagnosis once your case has been evaluated and help you avoid its appearance.
