Why Do You Have a Sore Lump in Your Throat?

Key takeaways:

• The sensation of a sore lump in the throat when there isn’t actually one is quite common.
• The causes are usually benign and due to esophageal reflux or muscle tension associated with mental health conditions.
• If swallowing is difficult or the sensation occurs with other symptoms that cause concern, you should see a doctor.

The sensation of a painless lump in the throat when none is present is known as Globus pharyngeus (or simply Globus). This common sensation is usually nothing to worry about. Patients may describe it as fullness, pressure, or tightness in the throat.

Several benign causes of Globus exist, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), post-nasal drip, and tightening or tension in the throat muscles. Tension can also result from emotions like grief or anxiety.

More serious causes of the sense of a lump in your throat are often accompanied by dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). Dysphagia with a feeling of a lump in the throat can be due to thyroid inflammation, esophageal web, esophageal spasm, tumors in the neck or chest, or certain muscle disorders.

This article will explain the causes of a sore lump in the throat and the associated symptoms, the causes, and when you should see a doctor for your symptoms.

Is it normal to have a sore lump in your throat?

It is not necessarily “normal” to have a sore lump in your throat. However, it is common: up to 45% of people in any given population have or will experience this sensation.

Symptoms associated with a sore lump in your throat

Various symptoms may occur with a sore lump in your throat. The key differentiators between benign and more serious causes of the feeling of a sore lump in the throat are whether or not it causes difficulty swallowing and whether there is an actual lump in your throat.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia refers to difficulty swallowing. If your feeling of a lump in the throat is associated with difficulty swallowing, it is not Globus. Causes of a lump in the throat with difficulty swallowing include myositis, myasthenia gravis, esophageal spasms, and tumors (in rare cases).

Throat clearing

Throat clearing is often associated with Globus and may further irritate the throat's tissues.

Cough

Individuals with Globus pharyngeus often experience a non-productive cough.

Hoarseness

People with Globus may experience hoarseness from constant throat clearing and coughing.

Muscular tension

The causes of muscular tension resulting in Globus are primarily psychological, such as stress, depression, and anxiety.

Causes of a sore lump in your throat

There are many possible causes of feeling a sore lump in the throat. A common reason is Globus pharyngeus, which is often associated with psychological conditions and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Somatoform disorders

Somatoform disorders are psychological disorders that cause individuals to experience physical symptoms.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Reflux of acidic gastric contents can irritate the throat and cause a feeling of Globus.

Tumors

A sore lump in the throat may be a tumor, although this is a less common cause. Tumors that cause the sensation of a painful lump usually cause difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).

Esophageal spasm

Esophageal spasms are painful contractions of the muscles in the esophagus that can cause the sensation of a lump in the throat. They often cause difficulty swallowing, which distinguishes them from more benign causes. Esophageal spasms may also cause regurgitation of food, chest or abdominal pain, or heartburn.

Esophageal web

An upper esophageal web is a thin membrane that forms across the esophageal opening. It can cause difficulty swallowing with a Globus sensation. They usually occur in people with severe iron deficiency anemia and are accompanied by other signs, such as painful cracks in the corners of the mouth or a sore tongue.

Skeletal muscle conditions

Conditions of the skeletal muscles associated with a feeling of a lump in the throat include muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, and myositis. Myositis is inflammation of the muscles and can affect swallowing muscles.

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that can cause weakness of the face and throat muscles. Common symptoms include drooping eyelids, double vision, slurred or nasally speech, and difficulty swallowing.

At-home remedies to soothe a sore lump in your throat

If you have a sore lump in your throat, there are several actions you can take at home that may relieve your discomfort.

Drink water

Eating or drinking may reduce the Globus sensation. Staying hydrated is generally a good idea, as a dry throat is more likely to become irritated. Try to drink at least six cups of water daily.

Avoid spicy or fatty foods and alcohol

Avoiding spicy or fatty foods and alcohol can reduce reflux and prevent additional irritation.

Proton pump inhibitors

Proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole, can reduce GERD and may reduce the sensation of Globus. You can purchase proton pump inhibitors over the counter at your local pharmacy.

Stop smoking

Smoking irritates the mouth and throat tissues, increasing the risk of Globus.

Don’t eat within three hours of bedtime

Eating too close to bedtime can result in reflux of stomach enzymes into the esophagus. GERD symptoms can exacerbate the feeling of Globus.

Try hard candy or lozenges

Sucking on a lozenge will generate saliva, which will keep your mouth moist, lessening the sensation of Globus.

Use a humidifier

A humidifier keeps tissues in the throat and nasal passages moist, reducing irritation. This is particularly helpful in winter when many indoor spaces can be dry. Breathing the steam of a hot shower can also help.

Yawn or chew

Chewing or yawning can help relax the throat and neck muscles.

Reduce your stress level

To reduce stress, try relaxation exercises, meditation, listening to music, or gentle exercise. Reducing stress may also help relax your throat and neck muscles.

How to prevent sore lumps in your throat

Key steps to prevent Globus are similar to the steps used to treat the condition.

Stress reduction

Take steps to reduce stress, particularly if the muscles in your throat or neck tighten. Meditation, listening to music, or taking a walk can be helpful.

Humidify and hydrate

Drinking adequate water—at least six to eight glasses daily—and using a humidifier in dry environments can prevent irritation to the nasal passages and throat.

Stop smoking

Quitting smoking can help prevent the sensation of a lump in your throat. You should also avoid smoke and environmental irritants.

Avoid spicy or fatty foods

Avoiding foods that can increase the risk of reflux may help you prevent Globus. You should also eat at least two to three hours before bedtime. Otherwise, lying flat can precipitate reflux.

When you should see a doctor for a sore lump in your throat

You should see a doctor if you have difficulty swallowing or if you have a visible or palpable lump. Several warning signs should prompt you to see a doctor within a few days.

You should see a doctor if you:

Consult your healthcare provider sooner rather than later if you:

• Have neck or throat pain
• Notice weight loss
• Experience difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• Have regurgitation of food
• Notice a lump in your neck
• Currently smoke or have in the past
• Have a family or personal history of head or neck malignancy

You should go to the emergency room if:

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Coughing up blood
• Vomiting blood
• Vomiting a substance that looks like coffee grounds
• Pain with swallowing
• Choking
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty breathing
• Inability to swallow liquids
• Fever

Questions to ask your doctor about sore lumps in your throat

• What diagnostic tests will be necessary, including imaging and laboratory studies?
• What treatment options are available?
• Do I need to see a therapist?
• How can I prevent this in the future?

Frequently asked questions: sore lump in the throat

Many people with a sore lump in their throat have asked the following questions:

How long can a sore lump in your throat last?

A sore lump in the throat often resolves in a few days or weeks, but it may take longer for some patients.

What if you feel extreme pain from the sore lump in your throat?

Extreme pain from a sore lump in your throat should prompt you to seek emergency care.

What to remember about a sore lump in your throat

The causes of a sore lump in the throat can be distinguished by whether or not there is a visible or palpable lump and whether swallowing is impacted. Globus pharyngeus is the sensation of a sore lump without swallowing difficulties or an actual lump. The common condition is associated with esophageal reflux and psychological conditions like anxiety or grief. If you have other symptoms or are concerned about your health, seeing a doctor is the best option.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

Sources

Chen, F. J., and J. H. Park. "An Approach to Globus Pharyngeus." Australian Journal of General Practice, Aug. 2024, www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2024/august/an-approach-to-globus-pharyngeus. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

“Feeling of Something in Your Throat (Globus).” NHS Inform, National Health Service, www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/ears-nose-and-throat/feeling-of-something-in-your-throat-globus/. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

Gotfried, J. "Globus Sensation - Globus Sensation - Merck Manual Professional Edition." Merck Manual Professional Edition, Merck and Co., 2 May 2024, www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/symptoms-of-gastrointestinal-disorders/globus-sensation?autoredirectid=24182.

Järvenpää P, et al. (2018). Globus pharyngeus: a review of etiology, diagnostics, and treatment.https://helda.helsinki.fi/server/api/core/bitstreams/5420f5c8-3b44-4ebb-861e-181704815274/content

"Myasthenia Gravis." National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/myasthenia-gravis.