GLOBUS HYSTERICUS

Lump in the throat is the sensation of a lump or mass in the throat, unrelated to swallowing, when no mass is present. It is a natural and expected experience during high anxiety and its activation is a natural autonomic response to threat. Anxiety or psychological conflict is judged to be significantly related to the onset and progression of the sensation.

CAUSES: No specific causes have been found though anxiety is said to be the prominent cause.

• Elevated cricopharyngeal pressure or abnormal hypopharyngeal motility.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Sore throat

SYMPTOMS:

Globus Hystericus manifests and is described mostly as:

• an inability to swallow effectively
• a feeling like a lump in the throat
• a sensation of tightness in the throat
• a feeling of ‘blockage’ in the throat
• a feeling of swelling or tension in the throat
• a feeling of being ‘strangled’
• a sensation of soreness or tension at the back of the tongue

DIAGNOSIS:

• Clinical swallow evaluation.
• Plain or video esophagography (video barium swallow).
• Measurement of swallowing time.
• Chest x-ray.
• Oesophageal manometry.
• Direct laryngoscopy.

 HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT:

ASAF:  spasmodic contraction of stomach and śsophagus with reverse peristalsis, hypochondriacal patients, -Globus hystericus. Ball rises in throat. Sensation as if peristaltic motion were reversed, and śsophagus were driven from stomach to throat.

IGNATIA: especially adapted to the nervous temperament-women of sensitive, easily excited nature, Feeling of a lump in throat that cannot be swallowed. Tendency to choke, globus hystericus. Sore throat; stitches when not swallowing; better, eating something solid. Stitches between acts of swallowing.

NATRUM MUR: Emaciation most notable in neck. Great liability to take cold. Dry mucous membranes. Constrictive sensation

LACHESIS: Feeling as if something was swollen which must be swallowed; worse, swallowing saliva or liquids ,Empty swallowing more painful than swallowing solids

NUX MOSC: extreme dryness of mucous membranesExcessively bloated. Flatulent dyspepsia. Hiccough,

PSOR: painful swallowing, with pain in ears. Profuse, offensive saliva; tough mucus in throat, when well-chosen remedies fail to act. when well-chosen remedies fail to act. 

LAC CAN: Sensitive to touch. Painful swallowing; pain extends to ears, Throat feels burned raw.