If you notice any significant obstruction while eating, difficulty swallowing, or a sudden change in voice, you should see an ENT doctor as soon as possible. An endoscopy can be done to make sure there are no other obstructions or inflammation in the throat. In most cases, it can be completely cured with medications to reduce acidity and lifestyle changes.
There can be many physical and psychological causes for this discomfort. The main ones are:
1. Acidity or gas (GERD/LPR)
The most common cause of a blocked throat is acid reflux. When stomach acid flows back up through the esophagus into the throat, it causes a small amount of inflammation and feels like a ‘blockage’. This is also called silent reflux.
2. Anxiety/Stress
When we are under severe mental stress or sadness, the muscles in the throat are likely to tighten. This can create a feeling like a lump in the throat. If this blockage goes away when you sit calmly, the cause may be stress.
3. Post-Nasal Drip
When you have a cold, allergies, or sinusitis, mucus from the nose can flow down the back of the throat, causing a feeling like something is stuck in the throat.
4. Thyroid problems
Swelling or lumps in the thyroid gland can cause pressure in the throat.
5. Muscle strain
This condition can occur when the muscles in the throat used when speaking or swallowing food become overworked.
