Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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What is Globus?
Globus is the term used to describe the feeling of a lump in the throat, or the feeling of something stuck in the throat. Globus is purely a sensation – there is no physical obstruction in the throat. It is nothing to be concerned about.
Globus sensations can be very specific, e.g. it may feel like there is mucous that won’t clear, a lump in a particular area, or that there is a something small stuck in the throat. This is because of the way the brain interprets the nerve signals coming from the throat.
What causes Globus?
There is no single cause for globus. It can be associated with inflammation of the throat from acid reflux, infection or allergies. Globus can also be caused by factors that affect the muscle of the throat, such tension from stress or worry. Behaviours that can irritate the throat, such as repeated coughing or throat clearing, can also lead to globus.
How is Globus diagnosed?
Globus will usually be diagnosed following an examination of your throat in an ENT clinic. This will confirm that there is nothing physically stuck or obstructing the throat.
What treatment is there for Globus?
If a medical cause is suspected, such as reflux or an infection, then your doctor may prescribe treatment for this. If reflux is suspected, it is important to follow dietary and lifestyle advice, as well as taking any medication prescribed.
Additionally, the following strategies can help improve globus:
- Stay well hydrated – 1.5-2 litres of fluid per day, mostly water
- Avoid clearing your throat or coughing (see information on the next page)
- Chewing sugar free gum or sucking a sugar free sweet may help ‘distract’ your body from the sensation
- Try yawning – this helps relax the muscles of the throat
- Massaging the throat muscles can help (although please don’t try this unless you have been taught how)
- Be aware of your stress and tension levels, and things you could do to help manage them
Why should you avoid throat clearing?
When you clear your throat, you ‘bash together’ your vocal cords. This irritates them. It also causes tension in the muscles of your throat.
This leads to a ‘vicious cycle’ – the more your clear your throat, the more irritated it becomes, which makes you clear your throat again. This cycle of throat clearing is often referred to as ‘habitual’, which means it is essentially a bad habit. We are not always aware when we throat clear as part of a habit – your friends and family may have noticed more than you have.
How do I stop clearing my throat?
It is possible to stop throat clearing, even though you may feel you cannot control it. Understanding the nature of the habit and ‘vicious cycle’ will help.
The first step to changing any habit is awareness – start to notice how often you are clearing your throat, and in what situations. Once you are aware, you can use strategies to help stop yourself.
Strategies to stop throat clearing
Follow these strategies consistently, every time you want to clear your throat.
- When you feel the urge to clear your throat, stop yourself and swallow instead (dry swallow or sip water)
- If you still have the urge to clear your throat, suck a sugar-free sweet or chew sugar-free gum. This will encourage swallowing, soothe your throat, and give your brain a different sensation to focus on
- If you do have to clear your throat, try to clear your throat gently with a ‘huff’ or quiet ‘pop’ of air – then swallow or take a sip of fluid. This will minimise the irritation and tension
- You should also try to avoid coughing, using these same strategies, as this also irritates the throat
Following these strategies will help you to ‘break the cycle’, and reduce the urge to clear your throat. For most people the urge to throat clear will improve significantly.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Speech and language therapy service.
About this information
Service:
Speech and language therapy
Reference:
VV/048
Approval date:
27 September 2024
Review date:
1 September 2027
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.