What Causes Tightness Sensation In The Throat?

Brief Answer:
Try the medications below for 2 weeks, see a doctor if no improvement

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.

I carefully read your question and understand your concern.

There are several reasons why you might feel tightness in your throat and I will try to address some of them here.

Reflux disease which is acid reflux from the stomach to the throat is a common cause of throat discomforts- in this case you might have also heartburn or burping and symptoms are worse after large meals or after having certain food. If this is the case you might try antacids or Omeprazole for 2 weeks and see the effect. Aleeve (naproxen) might make the problems with the stomach and the reflux worse.

Aleeve might also cause local irritation of the esophagus if it is not swallowed well but is stuck there for a while so better to avoid it and if you have to take it, then make sure you use it with water and only after food .

Allergy might cause you sensation in the throat and having some antihistamine like loratadine regularly at night (or the flonase used regularly) might help especially if you have nasal congesion and seasonal rhinosinusitis.

Very rarely the heart problems might cause tightness in the neck and might confuse us with other problems. If you have some chest discomfort with the neck tightness or some left arm pain with the neck tightness than you will need to have an ECG to rule out a heart attack that might be the cause of the throat tightness- this is very rare the case though.

It is good you have done endoscopy and checked your bowel- this is routine test that is very recommended to rule out bowel tumors. Gastroesophageal endoscopy might be a good idea if you have throat problems and I was not sure in the history you meant that you have done it or not but if not I would recommend you to have a gastroesophageal endoscopy done especially if Omeprazole for 2 weeks does not help.

A neck ultrasound would be another test that might be needed especially if you have noticed a swelling in the neck- this would rule out masses in the neck.

Anxiety might be a cause of throat tightness and this is thought if all the other causes are ruled out and if the tightness is there on and off and related to times of being overloaded or anxious.

So I would recommend you -

1. to try Omeprazole and loratadine daily and make sure you eat frequent small amounts of food (instead of 3 big meals have 5 small ones); do not eat anything heavy after 7 pm, avoid alcohol spicy food. Quit smoking if you do.

2. If no improvement in 2 weeks you will need to see a doctor and check your throat, check for neck masses, listen to your heart and check your BP and might also ask for examinations like gastroesophageal endoscopy if you have not had one recently, and may be an ECG.

I hope this is helpful and answers to your questions,

Kind Regards

Dr Antoneta Zotaj

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Brief Answer:
If the endoscopy was normal a year ago this is reassuring

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the reply.
Very likely if the endoscopy was normal a year ago than this is not due to reflux and the other causes and options mentioned above would be more likely.

Kind regards

Dr Antoneta

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