Lumps in the Throat

Lumps in the throat can happen in anyone and do not necessarily mean anything sinister is going on as many people fear.

What Causes Lumps In The Throat?

There are a few reasons why people may feel as though they have a lump in their throat, in fact it is quite common for people to describe their discomfort as having a lump stuck in their throat; this is rarely serious.

One of the main causes for this sensation is when there is an infection present. The neck and throat area contain many lymphatic nodes which are small glands that are responsible for secreting substances that fight infection. In the presence of a throat infection, the nodes often enlarge as they struggle to fight off the germs that are causing the pain. People often describe this to their doctor as having ‘their glands up’.

If you feel as though there is something restricting your swallowing or that there is a definite obstruction in your throat, this may represent something else.

It may be that your thyroid is enlarged which means that it is producing too many hormones and causing the organ to grow, it may also represent a growth of the thyroid which is pressing on your throat and possibly obstructing your oesophagus.

If you can visibly see a lump in your throat or neck and do not have any symptoms of pain, please do see your GP as this may mean there is something quite serious going on.

If you are struggling to breathe at any time, always seek urgent medical help as this is something that will need professional treatment and should not be ignored.

Symptoms Of Lumps In The Throat

Lumps in throat can be either very minor or quite serious. It may be that you simply have what we call a ‘frog in your throat’, which usually means you have some excess mucous stuck at the back of your throat and will need clearing. It may also mean that you have a tickle or an irritation which usually symbolises a developing infection and a sore throat usually soon follows.

Occasionally however the feeling is a lot more grave than this and can seriously impact on normal life. For many a lump in their throat may occur as they have a growth in their neck or airway. This may be tumour and can obstruct the airways or oesophagus in which case it is vital that you seek medical attention for an official diagnosis.

When To Seek Medical Advice

Always seek medical; advice if the following circumstances apply:

• You have difficultly breathing or feel as though your airways are obstructed.
• You cannot swallow at all, even sips of fluids.
• You can visibly see a lump or growth but do not have any pain or throat infection.
• You have had a throat infection that has not gone away after a week or two has passed.
• Your have had anti-biotics for a bacterial infection and continue to have symptoms.

Lumps in the throat can also be harmless as it is your body’s natural response to fighting infection. It can however be a sign that there is something else happening in your body and this should be assessed by a doctor to rule out more serious illnesses. More on throat lumps here.