Globus Sensation explained

What is Globus?

Globus is the medical term for a sensation of a lump in the throat where no true lump exists. It was once called Globus Hystericus wrongly suggesting that this is a psychiatric condition. Globus is sometimes also referred to as Globus pharyngeus (pharyngeus is simply the medical term for the throat).

What are the usual symptoms in Globus?

The main symptom is a feeling of a lump, constriction, or tightness in the throat. Many patients find that the symptoms vary a good deal and there are often periods when this feeling goes altogether. Despite the feeling of a difficulty swallowing, patients with Globus do not have problems eating or drinking and usually notice their symptoms most when swallowing their own saliva. The sensation of a lump sometimes moves up and down and occasionally from side to side also but is usually central at the front of the neck. It is not uncommon to find minor voice problems such as huskiness, hoarseness or tiring of the voice in patients with Globus.

How common is Globus?

Globus is extremely common. Many people suffer with Globus from time to time. It is most common in younger women but can occur at any age and in either sex.

Is there a chance that this could be Cancer?

Many patients who seek medical advice about this condition are not surprisingly worried about their symptoms and are concerned that they may have a growth or cancer. The vast majority of patients with Globus have nothing to worry about, however if your doctor has any concerns after a full ENT examination he may organize some further investigations such as a Barium Swallow (x-ray test) or an endoscopy (a look down the throat under an anaesthetic). Some patients who do have throat cancer have similar symptoms but here foods, particularly solids, stick in the gullet, the sensation is nearly always to one side, the symptoms are constant and get progressively worse and there is often pain which may radiate to the ear.

Where does the Globus sensation come from?

There are many theories as to the cause of Globus, none of which has been proven outright. However, most ENT surgeons now believe that Globus arises as a result of muscle tension or inco-ordination in the throat. The swallowing process is a complex reflex which involves many muscles each of which must act in harmony with its neighbours. Some muscles have to relax while others constrict in order to swallow correctly.

In Globus, it seems most likely that one muscle in particular fails to relax properly, this is the cricopharyngeal. It is a circle of muscle, at the bottom of the throat, which surrounds the top end of the gullet (oesophagus) and acts as a valve or sphincter. It helps to stop stomach contents refluxing back into the throat. This muscle has to relax to let food pass during normal swallowing.

In Globus, the cricopharyngeal muscle fails to relax sufficiently, and so swallowing saliva becomes difficult, however when eating, food stimulates the inside if the throat and natural reflexes allow this muscle to relax correctly and swallowing occurs much more normally.

What triggers Globus?

There are many factors which may trigger Globus, and in most cases more than one are relevant;

Stress:

Nearly all people with Globus find that their symptoms are worse when they are stressed or anxious. This is partly due to the fact that stress causes a general increase in muscle tension and also that any stress makes us more aware of any problem which we feel may interfere with our performance or life in general. If you are worried that you may have a cancer, not surprisingly you become more even stressed and anxious, and the Globus gets worse still.

Tiredness:

Often the Globus sensation is worse when we are tired, usually at the end of a busy day, especially if most of the day has been spent talking or on the phone.

Reflux:

Many people with Globus have reflux of stomach acid into the oesophagus or throat. Sometimes this causes few symptoms directly but signs maybe visible to your doctor on examination. The cricopharyngeal does not like acid washing over it, and this is often a cause of increased tension in this and other muscles in the throat. Stress causes an increase in stomach acid production as well.

Voice strain:

Long periods of talking or use of the phone, presentations, public speaking, shouting or singing can all lead to can all lead to overuse or misuse of the voice and throat muscles leading to increased tension in these muscles and Globus.

Smoking:

Not all patients with Globus smoke, but smoking certainly makes Globus worse. It also causes an increase in stomach acid production.

Post nasal drip:

This is an excess of nasal mucus which runs down into the throat. This can make Globus worse partly because of constant swallowing and strain of the muscles and partly because of the direct effect of the mucus on the lining of the throat.

What can be done to help?

Many patients find that reassurance and explanation of the cause of their problem is all that is required to treat their Globus. However there are many treatments which are effective in more difficult cases. Since it is usually a multifactorial problem, it needs a variety of different treatments strategies.

Your doctor will advise you as to the most appropriate treatments in your case but often this will include anti-reflux medication and advice, speech therapy (physiotherapy for the muscles of the throat), treatments for nasal allergy and post nasal drip. If after treatment your problems persist, you should go back to your doctor and ask to be re-checked.