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What Causes Feeling Of Lump And Tightness In The Throat?

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Posted on Thu, 9 Jun 2016
Question: Hello, I'm sorry to bother you but I have a question. Ever since last night, I feel like there's a lump in my throat and it would feel tight. I can breathe but I can't swallow. Sometimes this happens and usually goes away. It hasn't since it started. I started to get a dry mouth which never happens and there something like a burning sensation in my throat. I think I'm starting to look flushed too. What I want to know if this is a severe allergic reaction and should I go to the ER? The clinic in my town is closed for the day. I'm hoping it's nothing like a reaction. There's no swelling or hives and I haven't taken or eaten anything that's no the usual. Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
you need to Visit your nearest ER at the earliest....

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXX, Welcome to HCM,
I've gone through your query and understand your concern ,

Now polyps in your nose , seasonal allergy as well as sinus problems are all risk factors as well as triggering factor for hypersensitivity reactions ..

Now from your symptoms , it does seem like a Hypersensitivity reaction, could be any of those things which you're allergic to , or can be something else too(like pollen, dust , any specific food products- milk,sea-food, eggs, even sometimes the mildest form of foods are also notorious for causing this)..

It's not necessary to have hives, as sometimes these dry mouth, flushing , difficulty in swallowing alone is enough to diagnose severe allergic reactions..

Some times symptoms like this can also be seen even in certain types of poisonous substance like Organophosphorus(readily contain in commercial pesticides).. so try to find out if you've had any contact with those kind of substance or not..

Either way , this is serious medical condition and you need to be rushed to your nearest ER/ Urgent care for a prompt management before it worsens any further..

Don't try to eat or drink anything, don't drive , seek help immediately..

Please don't panic and try to remain vigilant..

Time is the key here, with timely management you'll recover within a matter of days , so please don't wait anymore ..

Let me know how you stay in the due course..

My Best Wishes..

Take Care
Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Arnab (32 minutes later)
That worries me. The thing is that this started last night. If it was really an allergic reaction, it would have already been at it's worst. I can't really go to the ER unless it's for certain that it's needed. This is because I don't really have transportation unless it's absolutely necessary like I really can't breathe or lost consciousness. I didn't mention of what may be the cause of the burning sensation. Sometimes, I get acid reflux which can cause that burning. I feel a little better after taking benadryl. Though the burning persists. I'm not sure if this debunks the possibility of an allergic reaction. If push comes to shove, I'll try to get to the ER.
I'm sorry for bringing it up. The tight feeling and lump in my throat has happened before but it's usually when a panic attack is about to happen or reflux. It's just a little weird because the dry mouth and feeling flushed hasn't happened before. This has been going on for almost three hours and it hasn't gotten worse. I know about delayed hypersensitivity but I'm hoping this isn't the case. I know it's important to seek help as soon as possible if it's seriously an allergic reaction. I don't want to come in with a false alarm. I feel that may be annoying.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
follow the advises.. maintain a healthy lifestyle..

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back Dear, Thanks for following up,

Well now that you've clarified those details, let me tell you that even extreme anxiety and panic attacks can also cause dry mouth which you might not felt before..

Good that you know about the stages of hypersensitivity, but I strongly feel that this kind of situations should not be left for longer duration just because it haven't got worse yet..As one can never predict when it'll and then there'll be unnecessary complications..

And how do you expect to call for help if you get unconscious or severe breathing difficulty- I don't think you meant those things as they are Life-threatening if not immediately attended and you're just 24 !!

No, Benadryl alone won't suffice to control the severe situations and even if it doesn't turned out as a severe attack , you can still get thoroughly investigated to rule out the probable cause for this..

No once again, Benadryl has no role in Acid-reflux, you can take Cap PANTOPRAZOLE 40 mg Once Daily before breakfast for about 10 days to get relief from it along with diet and lifestyle modifications in due course..

Also in situations where someone already having difficulty in swallowing,forceful swallowing can cause damage to your food pipe as well as increases the chances of aspiration of food/liquids in to your respiratory tract, making it nothing but more complicated..

Yes false alarm does get annoying specially on a repetitive basis, but it's always better to get attended immediately for this kind of conditions, than to wait for them to cause more damage and / complications..

So I hope you'll understand now the importance of seeking help of Urgent care as the severity of your condition(regardless of the time frame mentioned) can only be assessed after a thorough physical check-up , investigations as well as monitoring for future betterment..

Please get well soon and let me know how you stay in the due course..

Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Arnab (14 hours later)
Good morning, it's me again. I did go and get it checked and the possibility of an allergic reaction was ruled out. It turns out that there's inflammation in the tonsils, specifically the right one along with sinus congestion which is likely from seasonal allergies. One possibility was something got caught in the right tonsil and caused the problem. Though it may also be strep throat which will need to get checked if it doesn't get better tomorrow.

Thank you very much for your help. I'm sorry if I caused you to worry. An allergic reaction wasn't there and my anxiety over it didn't help matters.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry, however routine and timely follow-up to continue..

Detailed Answer:
Welcome Back dear,

It's great to hear that it was not that serious..

Now as per this symptoms, since it's proving to be Tonsillitis , then along wtith Strep-throat , there's also chances of viral infection, so try to keep yourself well hydrated by drinking lot of luke-warm water (3-4 Ltr per day), warm liquids like Chicken soup, tea , coffee etc.

Do steam inhalation 3-4 times a day, it'll relieve the swelling and provide soothing effect..

Now if it's come out as Strep-throat then you need to be on appropriate antibiotic therapy after discussing with your doctor for at least 10 days' course..

Also continue taking the Pantoprazole as I've already mentioned in my previous reply as Acid-reflux tends to worsen conditions like Pharyngitis..

It's my pleasure to help you out when you needed it, I'll be glad to help to guide to in future.. nothing to apologize dear ,you're always welcome..

You may close the thread now if there's no more questions, and rate the answer for future references ..

For future reference you can always get in touch with me , below is my direct follow-up link through which you can contact me anytime anywhere , I'll be happy to help -

http://www.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=71041



Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr.Arnab

Critical Care Specialist

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1477 Questions

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What Causes Feeling Of Lump And Tightness In The Throat?

Brief Answer: you need to Visit your nearest ER at the earliest.... Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXX, Welcome to HCM, I've gone through your query and understand your concern , Now polyps in your nose , seasonal allergy as well as sinus problems are all risk factors as well as triggering factor for hypersensitivity reactions .. Now from your symptoms , it does seem like a Hypersensitivity reaction, could be any of those things which you're allergic to , or can be something else too(like pollen, dust , any specific food products- milk,sea-food, eggs, even sometimes the mildest form of foods are also notorious for causing this).. It's not necessary to have hives, as sometimes these dry mouth, flushing , difficulty in swallowing alone is enough to diagnose severe allergic reactions.. Some times symptoms like this can also be seen even in certain types of poisonous substance like Organophosphorus(readily contain in commercial pesticides).. so try to find out if you've had any contact with those kind of substance or not.. Either way , this is serious medical condition and you need to be rushed to your nearest ER/ Urgent care for a prompt management before it worsens any further.. Don't try to eat or drink anything, don't drive , seek help immediately.. Please don't panic and try to remain vigilant.. Time is the key here, with timely management you'll recover within a matter of days , so please don't wait anymore .. Let me know how you stay in the due course.. My Best Wishes.. Take Care Kind Regards