Why Do I Have a Lump in My Throat?

Feeling a lump in your throat can be distracting and unsettling — especially if you don’t know what’s causing it. The medical term for this feeling is “globus sensation,” and it’s a common condition. In fact, many people will visit their doctor’s office for it at one time or another. 

Although its causes aren’t well understood, globus sensation is often nothing to worry about. Keep reading to find out more about its possible causes, treatment, and when to get medical attention.

What is globus sensation (lump in throat)?

Globus sensation, or globus pharyngeus, is the name for the feeling of a lump in your throat. It doesn’t cause any pain, but it can feel like something is stuck in your throat that shouldn’t be there. It may also feel like a tightness or a fullness. The feeling can come and go. Often it goes away with eating and doesn’t affect your ability to chew or swallow.

If you’ve felt a ball or lump in the back of your throat, you’re not alone. In a 2018 survey, almost 1 in 10 adults reported having globus sensation in the previous 3 months.

In another study, around 4% of new visits to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist over a year were due to complaints of a lump in the throat. Globus sensation happens in men and women about equally, but women may be more likely to see their healthcare professional about the symptoms.

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Lump in throat causes

Globus sensation by itself isn’t harmful and can happen without an underlying cause or associated illness. In fact, the exact cause of globus sensation is unknown. That said, there are other health conditions associated with the feeling of a lump in the throat. 

When you see a healthcare professional, they’ll check for potential causes of your symptoms, including:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux can cause heartburn and has also been associated with globus sensation. In some studies, it has been seen in up to 68% of people with globus sensation.

• Esophageal motility disorders occur when muscles of the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat with the stomach) don’t contract normally. This makes it harder for the esophagus to get food and liquid into the stomach. Along with GERD, esophageal motility disorders are the most common condition seen in people with globus sensation.

• Esophageal sphincter dysfunction occurs when there’s a problem with the muscular ring (sphincter) in the upper or lower esophagus. When these muscles work well, they prevent food and liquid in the stomach from coming back up. Globus sensation has been linked to abnormal upper esophageal sphincter function, but the research hasn’t been consistent.

Other conditions that have been associated with globus sensation include:

• Inflammation in the mouth or throat

• Postnasal drip

• Dry mouth

• Thyroid disease

• Paraesophageal (hiatal) hernia

• Enlarged tonsils

• Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck

• Prior uvulopalatoplasty (removal of extra tissue in the throat)

• Mass at the base of the tongue

Can anxiety or emotional triggers cause a lump in your throat?

Yes, globus sensation has been associated with anxiety and other mental health conditions like depression. But experts don’t fully understand this association yet.

Research suggests a link between the start of globus sensation and an increase in recent stressful life events. But other studies have found that people with globus sensation don’t have more mental health conditions than other people. More research is needed to fully understand this link.

Globus has been linked to COVID-19. Although the full relationship between globus and COVID isn’t clear yet, it seems likely that anxiety plays a role. The good news is that globus symptoms related to COVID tend to get better on their own within a month of diagnosis.

Even if you have anxiety and globus sensation, don’t dismiss your symptoms. If you’re concerned, you can still talk with your primary care provider about other possible causes.

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Is there a way to get rid of globus sensation immediately?

There’s no proven way to get rid of globus sensation right away. Because the cause of globus sensation isn’t fully understood, scientists continue to look for the best ways to treat it. In many cases, globus sensation can improve or go away on its own without treatment. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with another health condition associated with globus sensation (such as GERD), treating that condition will often help the lump in your throat. 

Some common treatment options include:

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are medications used to treat GERD. They’ve been used for treatment of globus because of its link with GERD. Improvement in symptoms has been noted after treatment with pantoprazole (Protonix). 

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are a category of medications used to treat depression and anxiety. In one study, low doses of amitriptyline (Amitril), a TCA, improved globus sensation more effectively than pantoprazole. In addition to having an effect on mental health, amitriptyline may work by decreasing sensitivity inside the esophagus. Researchers are also studying other antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications like paroxetine (Paxil) — a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or SSRI — as treatments for globus sensation.

• Speech therapy is a treatment option that doesn’t involve medication. You work with a speech language pathologist on exercises for the muscles of the throat and voice box. Although there are different approaches to speech therapy for treatment of globus sensation, research suggests it can help.

Many of the treatments used haven’t been studied extensively, and some studies have shown conflicting results about the benefit. Additionally, the medications above are “off-label” treatments for globus sensation. This means the FDA hasn’t approved them for this purpose. Talking about your options with your healthcare team will help you find the best treatment for you.

When should you see a healthcare professional?

It’s a good idea to see a healthcare professional if the feeling of the lump in your throat is persistent or happens with other symptoms, including:

• Unexplained weight loss

• Pain with swallowing

• Difficulty swallowing

• Throat pain

• Change in voice

• Neck or throat mass

• Enlarged lymph nodes

• Smoking 

• Alcohol use

Any of the above in addition to globus sensation increases the concern that your symptoms could be from cancer or other medical conditions. But that’s definitely not always the case. One study followed a small number of people with globus sensation over time. After about 5 years, none of them had cancer of the pharynx (throat) or esophagus. 

All the same, it’s important to follow up to be sure. Your primary care provider will ask you about your symptoms and do an exam to check your neck, thyroid, mouth, and throat. They may refer you to a specialist, too. A gastroenterologist can help if a problem with the esophagus is suspected. An ENT specialist can check the throat and voice box.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Sarah Pozniak, MD

Sarah Pozniak, MD, has 9 years of experience since graduating medical school (6 since completing residency). She is a board-certified general internal medicine physician and has practiced as a primary care physician in both Utah and Washington, D.C. Currently, she cares for patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure using telemedicine as part of a virtual care program.

Edited by:

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN, is a California-based registered nurse and staff medical editor at GoodRx, where he focuses on clinical updates and Latino health.

Reviewed by:

Kerry R. McGee, MD, FAAP

Kerry McGee, MD, FAAP, has over a decade of experience caring for babies, children, and teenagers as a primary care pediatrician. She has a special interest in adolescent health, particularly in adolescent mental health.

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