Globus sensation, also known as globus pharyngeus, is a persistent or intermittent non-painful sensation of a lump or foreign body in the throat. This common condition can be long-lasting, difficult to treat, and tends to recur.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of globus sensation is:

• Feeling of a lump in the throat without any actual physical obstruction

Additional symptoms may include:

• Persistent need to clear the throat
• Sensation of tightness in the throat
• Difficulty swallowing (in some cases)

Globus sensation typically does not affect eating or drinking and is usually not associated with pain.

Causes

The exact etiology of globus sensation remains uncertain, but several factors may contribute:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Abnormal upper esophageal sphincter function
• Increased tension in throat muscles
• Psychological factors (stress, anxiety, depression)
• Pharyngeal inflammatory conditions (e.g., pharyngitis, tonsillitis, chronic sinusitis)
• Hypertrophy of the tongue base
• Thyroid disorders

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of globus sensation typically involves:

• Careful history taking
• Nasolaryngoscopy
• Additional tests, such as endoscopy, pH monitoring, or manometry (in some cases)

Management

Treatment for globus sensation is tailored to the underlying cause and may include:

• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Avoiding throat clearing
  • Stress reduction techniques
  • Smoking cessation
• Medications:
  • Proton pump inhibitors for GERD
  • Antidepressants in some cases
• Therapies:
  • Speech and language therapy
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Addressing underlying conditions:
  • Treatment of pharyngeal inflammatory conditions
  • Management of thyroid disorders