The feeling that something is stuck in your throat is never a nice thing to experience. It can have both physical and psychological factors, and can cause stress and anxiety, along with leading to trouble eating. There are various factors and conditions that can lead to the feeling of having something stuck in your throat. Some of the most common causes include:
Something Actually Stuck in the Throat
In some cases, you might be feeling this way because something is actually stuck in your throat. It’s a common problem among people who are fitted with dental braces, especially after eating, since wearing braces can make it harder for you to chew food correctly. Taking smaller bites, making sure to chew eat bite thoroughly before swallowing, and drinking water to ease the passage of food down the esophagus can help.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia is a condition that leads to difficulty with swallowing. Sometimes, this can be accompanied by a feeling that something is stuck in your throat. Some other common symptoms of this condition including vomiting food back up after eating, coughing or gagging when swallowing, heartburn, or sudden weight loss. Getting treatment is imperative if you have this condition since it can prevent you from getting the right nutrients in your diet. You may want to try SimplyThick, which is designed to be easier for people with this condition to consume.
Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease
GERD is a condition that causes digestive acids from the stomach to travel up through the esophagus and into the throat. This can lead to ulcers in the throat that form scars, which eventually, lead to constriction of the esophagus. If you are often burping and feel like something is stuck in your throat, it may be a symptom of this condition. You may also experience a burning sensation around the chest.
Tonsilitis
This condition causes an inflammation of the tonsils due to viruses and bacteria, which can cause uncomfortable sensations in the throat. Patients might have difficulty swallowing despite there being nothing lodged in the throat.
Allergies
Allergies due to a change in the seasons, dust, pets or other allergens can lead to inflammation in the throat, ultimately causing the feeling of having something stuck in the throat. While this might be no cause for concern and easy to treat by taking an over-the-counter antihistamine, the condition may get serious if the inflammation leads to a blockage of the airways.
Esophagitis
Esophagitis is a condition that leads to the esophagus becoming irritated and inflamed as a result of particles entering through food and the air we breathe. If it feels like something is stuck in your throat after eating, moving around after a meal can help. You should avoid lying down immediately after eating, and try to stay away from foods that trigger acid reflux or habits such as smoking since this can make it worse.
Sometimes, a sensation of something being stuck in your throat is nothing serious and can be easily dealt with. But if it persists, it might be a symptom of a condition you will need medical attention for.