4 Common Causes of throat discomfort manage by Gastroenterologist

Throat discomfort is a common disease that patient presented to either ENT specialist or gastroenterologist. This is due to the area of disease may span across the throat region to the upper food pipe. As a gastroenterologist, we encounter many patients with sensation of “something stuck in throat”. Medically, this is know as globus sensation. I will explain to you more about the causes.

1. Laryngitis

Laryngitis is a inflammation or swelling of the voice box. This commonly due to virus infection, chronic cough and sometimes acid reflux disease. 

2. Oesophagitis 
Oesophagitis is inflammation of the oesophagus or food pipe. During swallowing, food propagate from throat into the food pipe. If the food pipe is inflammed, it may cause discomfort when swallowing. This condition common caused by acid reflux disease, infection by bacteria virus or even fungus known as candida, alcohol abuse and smoking. 

3. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the most common cause of globus sensation, affecting up to 15-20 % normal population. This condition is caused by stomach acid backing up into the food pipe resulting in acid erosions injury to the food pipe. Patient with such condition may also experience heart burn and acid brash.

4. Oesophageal hypersensitivity
One of the common and hard to diagnose condition is known as oesophageal hypersensitivity. It is commonly a diagnosis of exclusion where all above condition has been treated or excluded. Oesophageal hypersensitivity causes abnormal signal/stimuli in the food pipe giving rise to discomfort despite there is no pathology in the area. 

Conclusion
Throat discomfort or globus sensation can be a very tricky situation for both ENT specialists and Gastroenterologists to treat as many patient experience persistent symptoms despite taking long term gastric medication and had gastroscopy evaluation done. If you have concern about the symptoms and diagnosis, talk to our gastroenterologist to manage your globus sensation.