Almost every person is familiar with the pain and pressure in the throat, which cause a lot of discomfort during a sore throat. No wonder the very name of this infectious disease, "angio", is translated from Latin as "strangle, squeeze." Indeed, with acute tonsillitis, patients cannot eat, breathe, and even swallow saliva normally.
However, it squeezes the throat not only with inflammation in the tonsils. A similar symptom sometimes occurs with some other pathologies. And if a person suffers from the fact that his throat is squeezing for a long time or something seems to interfere in him, then you should consult a doctor to determine the problem and resolve it promptly.
Symptomatics
Most of the patients who come to the doctor and complain that something seems to interfere in their throat almost always name the same signs that accompany this syndrome. Among them:
- feeling of a foreign body in the larynx;
- suffocation and constriction;
- unpleasant sensations localized in the neck and throat;
- difficulty in swallowing food and breathing freely;
- feeling dry mouth;
- frequent desire to swallow saliva, but difficulty in the implementation of this process;
- Sensation of itching and friction in the throat;
- feeling of a lump that moves inside the larynx.
If you experience these symptoms, it is recommended to make an appointment with an ENT doctor. In the absence of pathologies in the nasopharynx, the doctor will give a referral for further examination by narrow specialists, which will allow you to find out the true cause of the syndrome.
What causes a feeling of constriction in the throat?
Our body is a huge, fairly complex and integral mechanism. That is why, in case of violation of the normal operation of at least one of its parts, all this will certainly affect its entire functioning. In this regard, if something seems to interfere with a person’s throat, then he should not ignore such a symptom.
Feeling difficult to breathe can be due to various factors. Moreover, when the throat is squeezed, the reasons can be somatic or psychogenic. It is worth noting that the factors included in the first of these groups can be found much more often. Let's take a closer look at them.
Inflammatory processes
The reason that the throat is squeezed and it is difficult to swallow can be various ENT diseases. Atthe presence of foci of inflammation occurs swelling of the tissues, which leads to the appearance of a pressing coma. Such a phenomenon can be either acute or chronic, being a confirmation of the development of pharyngitis or laryngitis. Sometimes the cause of a pressing sore throat is follicular tonsillitis.
If an otolaryngologist detects any of these diseases, you will need to immediately start treating it. The fact is that in the case of a prolonged infection of the larynx, there is a high probability of developing suppuration (abscess) in the area of \u200b\u200bthe tongue or epiglottis. What is this syndrome? An abscess is a complex and dangerous phenomenon, especially if its localization is in the throat area. This syndrome is accompanied by a pronounced inflammatory process, in which pus is formed.
Abscesses often occur in people who are prone to chronic inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. If therapy is not carried out on time, then there is a high probability of suppuration of the epiglottis, which is very dangerous for human he alth and life. Such an abscess quickly increases in size. In this case, there is a feeling of a coma in the throat and suffocation appears.
Tumors
Sometimes the cause of a person's throat constriction is benign or malignant neoplasms. In the first case, as a rule, conservative methods of treatment allow to eliminate the pathology. With malignant tumors, the situation is much more serious. That is why for the most successful treatment it will be necessarypassing the course prescribed by the doctor already in the first stages of the development of pathology. In some cases, sensations in which a lump is felt in the throat and it is difficult to breathe are the only symptom of a dangerous disease. However, sometimes there may be additional signs of the disease:
- difficulty swallowing;
- quick fatigue when talking;
- appearance of hoarseness in the voice;
- breathing disorder;
- appearance of bloody streaks in sputum;
- shooting pain in the ear.
The place of localization of such disorders is, as a rule, the region of the larynx, oropharynx or trachea. If you suspect the presence of tumors, you should immediately contact a specialist.
Endocrine system dysfunction
Why is my throat constricting? Sometimes this is due to damage to the thyroid gland. One of them is goiter, or Graves' disease. With this pathology, the thyroid gland increases in size, which leads to a feeling of squeezing the throat.
To identify such a pathology, an examination by an endocrinologist will be required. But in addition to visual signs, patients with Graves' disease experience protrusion of the eyes, decreased appetite, and loss of body weight. In order to clarify this diagnosis, the doctor prescribes an ultrasound scan and laboratory tests.
The feeling of suffocation in the throat is sometimes associated with other pathologies of the thyroid gland. This may be an inflammatory process or an increase in the production of thyroid hormones. Atin such pathologies, the throat is squeezed under the Adam's apple, excessive sweating occurs, a feeling of heat and hoarseness appears.
Thus, the main causes of malfunctions in the thyroid gland are hormonal disorders, lack of iodine in the body and disruptions in metabolic processes.
Osteochondrosis
Why is it pressing in my throat? The cause of this phenomenon is sometimes the pathology of the spine. Can the throat be squeezed from cervical osteochondrosis? Yes, difficulty in breathing sometimes occurs due to the presence of an ailment in this particular zone of the spinal column. Cervical osteochondrosis occurs due to lack of movement, malnutrition, and the presence of bad habits in a person. This pathology is characterized by pain in the back, neck and head. In some cases, the disease can cause changes in blood pressure, nausea and vomiting. An accurate diagnosis is possible only when you see a doctor.
To eliminate the pathology, the patient will have to undergo a long course of complex treatment. In this case, therapeutic exercises, as well as massage procedures, will be quite effective. At the same time, the patient will need to monitor their posture. For those who have a tight throat at night, doctors recommend using an orthopedic mattress or pillow. In the most difficult situations, medications are added to the treatment or surgical interventions are performed.
Diseases of the esophagus
What is the cause of the constriction of the throat and chest? With such symptoms, one can suspect the presence of esophagospasm, that is, problems in the work of the esophagus. Discomfort during thispathologies occur quite abruptly, and at any time of the day. They disturb during physical exertion and after eating, and sometimes even in a dream. In addition, a sore throat is observed and belching occurs.
The esophagus runs close to the heart, and therefore the sensations in this pathology resemble angina pectoris. In addition to the feeling of a pressing lump in the larynx, there is pain between the shoulder blades, as well as in the armpits.
Another disease that is characterized by such manifestations is a hernia of the esophagus. In this case, the symptoms described above are aggravated in the supine position and when bending over. A hernia of the esophagus behind the sternum may cause burning pain, as well as itching, belching and dry mouth.
If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor and start a course of treatment to avoid various complications.
Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract
Sometimes it becomes difficult for a person to breathe when the digestive tract malfunctions. This creates a feeling of a lump in the throat that interferes with the normal swallowing of food.
Sometimes the cause of discomfort in the Adam's apple after eating is heartburn. A similar symptom is observed:
- with cholecystitis;
- gastritis;
- pancreatitis;
- enterocolitis;
- peptic ulcer;
- gastroduodenitis.
Sometimes discomfort in the throat is due to food poisoning or overeating. In this case, pain ina person does not have it, but diarrhea and nausea, excessive gas formation and constipation are observed. After poisoning, a person feels a sour taste in the mouth, experiencing pain and heaviness in the stomach.
Tuberculosis of the larynx
With this pathology, in addition to feeling a lump in the throat, a person constantly hurts a little below the Adam's apple. The patient's voice disappears or changes, and ulcers appear in the region of the pharyngeal lymphatic ring. Pain accompanies a person when talking, coughing and swallowing. It is difficult for the patient to breathe due to the swelling of the mucous membranes and inflammatory processes that lead to narrowing of the airway lumen.
Overweight
Sometimes a sensation of a lump in the throat is observed in those patients who are overweight. How to explain the lack of air during breathing in obese people? The fact is that with excess weight, fat can be located not only in the subcutaneous layers, but also on any internal organs of a person. This can lead to narrowing of the throat. A similar phenomenon provokes suffocation and a feeling of coma.
Injuries
Why is it difficult to breathe and squeezes the throat? The reason for this phenomenon may be damage to the larynx or esophagus. This sometimes happens when eating coarse food or when gastroendoscopy is performed incorrectly. When the causes are eliminated, such symptoms should disappear on their own within 7 days.
Allergy
A pressure lump in the throat is sometimes a symptom of Quincke's edema. This condition is life threatening. The fact is that with angioedema, there is a rapid increaseswelling leading to suffocation. In such situations, sometimes seconds are needed to help the patient. To save a life, a person will need to be given antihistamines.
Other reasons
Feeling of pressure in the throat can cause:
- Worm infestation. According to conventional wisdom, parasites live in the intestines. However, they can lay their eggs in other places. The throat is no exception. The presence of helminthic invasion leads to the feeling of the presence of a foreign object in this area.
- Diseases of blood vessels and heart. Sometimes this factor also provokes problems with the throat. This happens quite rarely, but it is impossible to completely exclude such ailments. It is especially important to contact a cardiologist with other existing signs of vascular and heart pathologies, for example, with discomfort in the sternum.
- Uncomfortable clothes. Surprising as it may seem, this factor often provokes discomfort in the throat. Tight ties and collars, as well as tightly tied scarves or jewelry that tightly wrap around the neck, cause circulatory disorders, while pinching the nerve endings. With the constant wearing of such accessories, the discomfort in the throat will be felt more and more.
- Alien object. Sometimes when eating or inhaling air, a person begins to complain of squeezing in the throat and feeling a sharp pain. This happens due to the ingress of a foreign object. This phenomenon is accompanied by a dry cough. This organism seeks to push a foreign object out of the larynx. If ahe succeeds, then the cough immediately stops. However, sometimes a foreign object only changes its position, while blocking access to air. In this case, you simply cannot do without prompt assistance, as a person may suffocate.
Psychogenic factors
Sometimes a lump in the throat is the result of depression or neurosis. Many people begin to feel similar discomfort in a state of shock, overexertion, excitement and in a stressful situation. Moreover, this feeling appears in the throat almost instantly.
In case of depression, a lump in the Adam's apple occurs due to spasm and constant tension of the neck muscles. They begin to constrict the throat, which causes a feeling of internal interference with breathing and swallowing.
For an accurate diagnosis, a sick person should contact a neurologist. A detailed examination of the patient should exclude the presence of somatic factors. In the case when it is precisely established that all internal organs are functioning normally, the doctor assumes the presence of a psychogenic problem. This patient has difficulty swallowing. In the throat, in addition to constriction, there is perspiration and scratching. In some cases, breathing is disturbed and there are problems with eating solid foods.
At the initial stage of the development of a neurological disease, the above signs are mild. Moreover, a person can stay in this state for quite a long time. At this time, he may suspect the development of oncology or other serious diseases. As a result, it increasesanxiety, which leads to a worsening of the clinical picture.
The feeling of constriction in the throat most often occurs in such people periodically. This is accompanied by panic attacks, increased pressure, increased heart rate and the emergence of fear of death. The feeling of suffocation, in which there is a lack of oxygen, further increases anxiety. This situation provokes the development of depression, which confirms tearfulness, isolation and depression.
During panic attacks, pain in the throat is accompanied by increased heart rate and heart rate. At the same time, limbs may go numb, dizzy, pain in the left side of the chest may occur, and air deficiency may also be felt. The onset of these attacks is quite acute, and their duration is approximately 30 minutes.
To identify the exact problems, the doctor will need to study the impact that psycho-emotional factors have on the patient's condition. It addresses difficult and stressful situations at home and at work.
Treatment
If my throat is constricted, what should I do in this situation? First of all, go to the doctor. Based on the fact that such a symptom can be caused by a variety of diseases, a specialist will have to conduct a thorough diagnosis. And only after identifying the true causes of the pathological condition, the doctor will prescribe the necessary course of therapy. Consider the main methods of treatment for various ailments.
Respiratory diseases
With such pathologies, the doctor must find out the cause that led to the defeat of the respiratory tract. And only afterthis an effective course of treatment can be prescribed. The lump in the throat will disappear on its own almost immediately after the infection that caused the development of the disease is eliminated.
A rather effective remedy for respiratory diseases are lozenges for sore throats. Such remedies quickly eliminate all signs of the disease, and some of them even relieve inflammation, while slowing down the development of negative bacterial, viral and infectious processes.
The list of the most effective lozenges for sore throat includes:
- "Lizobakt";
- "Sebedin";
- "Falimint";
- "Decatilene";
- "Grammidin";
- "Pharingosept";
- "Septolete";
- "Strepsils".
To eliminate inflammatory processes, it is also recommended to gargle with infusions prepared from medicinal plants.
It should be borne in mind that respiratory diseases should not be left to chance. After all, ignoring the problem is fraught with the development of serious complications that threaten a person's life.
Osteochondrosis
When diagnosing the pathology of the cervical spine, the doctor prescribes massage, as well as external anti-inflammatory drugs. To relax the muscles of the neck, it is recommended to perform special gymnastic exercises. Effective in eliminating a coma in the throat with cervical osteochondrosis isacupuncture and manual therapy.
Gastrointestinal malfunctions
The main method of treatment in this case is the patient's transition to proper and rational nutrition. Spicy and fatty foods, as well as fried foods and alcoholic beverages, are excluded from the daily diet. Especially for the patient, a specialist should select a diet that would be suitable for the treatment of a certain disease of the digestive system.
In case of malfunctions in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract caused by pathogenic microorganisms, drugs and antibiotics are prescribed to help normalize the intestinal microflora. In this case, Mezim Forte, Pancreatin, Pancitrate and Penzital will become inexpensive, but effective pills for a throat in which a lump is felt.
Thyroiditis
In case of inflammatory processes in the thyroid gland, the patient must be hospitalized with a course of therapy under medical supervision. In this case, the patient is prescribed medication to prevent intoxication of the body.
They include anti-inflammatory and antibiotic agents. With the development of an abscess, conservative treatment is replaced by a surgical method. During the operation, the surgeon removes the purulent mass that has accumulated in the cavity formed in the thyroid gland.
Tuberculosis of the larynx
With this disease, the doctor prescribes general and drug therapy. In the first case, the doctor directs the patient to procedures that contribute to the destruction of the infection. Sometimes there is a need for surgicalintervention.
Inexpensive but effective throat pills for pulmonary tuberculosis are:
- antibiotics - "Cycloserine" and "Streptomycin";
- glucocorticosteroid drugs - Dexamethasone and Hydrocortisone.
When treating this disease, the doctor will certainly advise his patient to carry out inhalations using painkillers.
Neuropsychiatric disorders
With such pathologies, the doctor prescribes therapy, the purpose of which is to normalize the state of the nervous system. In this case, antidepressants and tranquilizers are prescribed. In severe conditions, a course of psychotherapy will be required. Relaxation and relief from anxiety will contribute to the use of tea based on valerian and lemon balm.
