Feeling like something is stuck in your throat is never a pleasant experience. And this sensation can lead to trouble eating and drinking along with causing stress and anxiety. Most of the time, all you might need to do is take a sip of water for this feeling to go away.
However, there are some conditions that can lead to a persistent feeling of something being stuck in your throat. Some of the most common causes are:
Something Actually Stuck
In some cases, you might actually have something lodged in the throat that is struggling to go down. Try to drink some water to help it pass or see if it goes away if you try to eat something else, making sure that you chew each bite thoroughly before you swallow.
Getting food particles stuck in the throat is a common problem with people who wear dental braces or have dental problems that make it more difficult to chew food correctly.
Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease
GERD is a condition that causes stomach acids to travel upwards through the esophagus and into your throat, where it can cause scar tissue and ulcers. Eventually, this can cause the esophagus to narrow and constrict, which can make it harder to swallow food and drink.
Common symptoms of this condition include a persistent feeling of something being stuck in the throat, heartburn, and excessive burping.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia causes problems with swallowing food and drink and can sometimes be accompanied by the sensation of something being stuck in your throat. It is more common in older adults but can be experienced at any age and can be a side effect of several health conditions and some medications or treatments.
Along with difficulty swallowing, people with this condition might also experience vomiting food back up after eating, sudden weight loss, persistent heartburn, or gagging when swallowing. If you are finding it difficult to swallow liquids, you can add SimplyThick thickener gel to make them easier to swallow and keep down.
Tonsilitis
Tonsilitis is a condition that causes the tonsils to become inflamed due to bacteria and viruses. As a result, this can cause uncomfortable sensations in the throat including feeling like something has gotten lodged or stuck in the throat, even when nothing is there.
Esophagitis
Esophagitis is a condition that causes inflammation and irritation of the esophagus. It often occurs from particles that enter the esophagus through eating food and even the air that we breathe in.
Moving around after a meal may help if you have this condition and feel that there is something stuck in your throat after eating. Avoid lying down after a meal and steer clear of foods that trigger acid reflux.
Allergies
Inflammation in the throat can be caused by allergies to dust, pets, and other allergens. This can cause a sensation of something stuck in your throat. It is usually easily treated by over-the-counter antihistamines, but you should speak to your doctor if it persists.
The sensation of having something stuck in your throat is something that most people have experienced and is not usually a cause for concern. However, in some cases it could signify a more serious condition.
