Throat Obstruction: Symptoms and Concerns Explained - Pulmonology

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When it comes to throat obstruction, the symptoms you describe can be quite distressing and may indicate a variety of underlying issues. Based on your account, it seems you experienced an acute episode of choking or a sensation of a foreign body in your throat, which is often accompanied by coughing, difficulty swallowing, and discomfort in the neck and chest area. Let’s break down your concerns and symptoms.


Symptoms and Their Implications
1. Feeling of a Foreign Body: The sensation of something lodged in the throat, often referred to as "globus sensation," can occur after an incident of choking. This feeling can persist even after the immediate danger has passed, leading to anxiety and further discomfort.

2. Coughing and Swallowing Difficulties: Coughing is a natural reflex to clear the airway, but if you felt the need to suppress this reflex, it could lead to increased tension in the throat muscles. This tension can contribute to further swallowing difficulties and discomfort.

3. Muscle Tightness and Pain: The tightness you feel from the jaw down to the collarbone may be a result of muscle tension from the stress of choking. This can lead to discomfort and even pain in the chest area, particularly if you are experiencing muscle spasms.

4. Dizziness and Head Tension: The sensation of dizziness and tightness in the back of your head could be related to anxiety or hyperventilation, which often accompanies choking incidents. When we feel anxious, we may inadvertently alter our breathing patterns, leading to lightheadedness.

5. Chest Pain: The pain you describe in the lower rib area during breathing could be related to muscle strain or spasms, especially if you were coughing forcefully. It’s also possible that the discomfort is referred pain from the throat or neck area.


Diagnostic Considerations
Given that your X-ray and CT scan did not reveal any foreign body or significant abnormalities, it is likely that your symptoms are related to muscle tension and irritation rather than a physical obstruction. Inflammation in the throat can cause discomfort and a sensation of tightness, which may explain your symptoms.


Reflexive Coughing and Its Effects
Suppressing the cough reflex can lead to increased tension in the throat and surrounding muscles, which may exacerbate discomfort. It’s essential to allow your body to respond naturally to the sensation of choking. If you feel the need to cough, it is generally advisable to do so, as this can help clear any residual irritation.


Possible Conditions
Your symptoms could be indicative of several conditions, including:
- Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR): This occurs when stomach acid flows back into the throat, causing irritation and a sensation of a lump in the throat.

- Muscle Tension Dysphonia: This is a voice disorder caused by excessive tension in the muscles around the larynx.

- Anxiety or Panic Attacks: These can manifest physically, leading to symptoms such as tightness in the throat, difficulty swallowing, and dizziness.


Recommendations
1. Follow-Up with a Specialist: It may be beneficial to consult an ENT specialist or a speech-language pathologist who can evaluate your swallowing function and throat muscle tension.

2. Manage Anxiety: If anxiety is a contributing factor, consider techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or cognitive-behavioral therapy to help manage your symptoms.

3. Hydration and Humidification: Keeping your throat moist can help alleviate irritation. Drinking plenty of water and using a humidifier can be beneficial.

4. Voice Therapy: If muscle tension is a significant issue, voice therapy may help you learn how to relax your throat muscles and improve swallowing function.

In conclusion, while your symptoms are concerning, they may not necessarily indicate a serious underlying condition, especially given the negative imaging results. However, persistent symptoms warrant further evaluation to ensure that any potential issues are addressed appropriately.