The compulsive throat clearing, that again and again as so-called Globe syndrome is called, lives up to its name: those affected compulsively clear their throats. The reason for clearing your throat is a foreign body sensation that occurs primarily in the throat.
What are compulsive clearing of the throat?
Sufferers cannot get rid of the feeling that they have a foreign object in their throat. For this reason, the so-called compulsive clearing of the throat or globe syndrome occurs.
Affected people want to get rid of the "lump" or mucus that they think has formed in the throat. For this reason, those affected keep clearing their throat. Many also try to get rid of the foreign body sensation by coughing or choking.
But the feeling of the foreign body remains; as a result, further complaints occur, which are localized in the neck area. The compulsive clearing of the throat can even go so far that the person concerned complains of shortness of breath and panic attacks.
causes
The causes are varied. In some cases, there is a foreign body in the throat and throat area. Sometimes this can be a tumor; in some cases there is also inflammation causing the foreign body sensation. Occasionally, a side cord angina can trigger compulsive throat clearing. Furthermore, thyroid disorders were also diagnosed in some patients, which were subsequently responsible for the globus syndrome.
Since the affected person keeps clearing his throat, the tonsils swell as a result. This creates the classic "lump feeling" in the throat; the person concerned describes that as extremely uncomfortable. If there is actually an infection (often a fungal infection), the urge to clear your throat is also triggered.
The production of mucus is increased, so that the effect that something is “in the throat” is further intensified. Sometimes the cause does not always have to be found directly in the throat. In some cases, a change in the heart can also trigger a feeling of pressure. Even a form of Tourette's syndrome cannot be ruled out if someone is forced to clear the throat.
The affected person develops so-called "ticks" which he can neither control nor control the extent of the problem. In a few cases there may also be psychological reasons. Especially people who also suffer from depression keep feeling tight in their throats. There are no organic causes here.
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➔ Medicines for sore throats and difficulty swallowingDiseases with this symptom
- tumor
- Laryngitis
- Lateral cord angina
- Tic and Tourette Syndrome
- Thyroid disease
- Tonsillar angina
Diagnosis & course
If the person concerned repeatedly complains about a "lumpy feeling" or a "tightness" in the throat, he must consult a doctor. Only through various examinations is it possible to find out the cause of the compulsive clearing of the throat. The doctor must also determine in advance whether it is a phase or a permanent disorder.
Furthermore, the doctor takes the complaints into consideration and tries - within the framework of a questionnaire - to find any connections to other diseases. If there is a possible cause, the region can be examined using a mirror. The doctor can determine an actual foreign body, an inflammation or an increased development of mucus. Sometimes ultrasound examinations can also lead to a result.
To what extent the compulsive clearing of the throat determines the further life or what development the disorder brings with it cannot be said in general terms. Sometimes it depends on the causes of the compulsive clearing of the throat. If there is a foreign body, for example, the compulsive clearing of the throat can go away on its own. In some cases, obsessive-compulsive disorder can also develop.
Inflammations that occur repeatedly due to high levels of exposure can subsequently become malignant. For example, tumors develop that even endanger the life of the patient. The globe syndrome must therefore be dealt with in all cases in order to prevent the situation from deteriorating.
Complications
Usually, clearing your throat is a very common way of getting rid of the pesky mucus that settles on your vocal cords, causing a cluttered voice. But if it becomes compulsive to clear your throat, complications can arise. Those who constantly have to clear their throat suffer from chronic irritation or inflammation of the mucous membrane in the throat.
Both harmless and serious causes can hide behind it. Among other things, the so-called reflux disease leads to constant inflammation in the throat due to the rising stomach acid. The chronic irritation causes constant scratching in the neck area, which in turn prompts you to clear your throat.
At the same time, the effects of constant acid burns often lead to pathological changes and even cancer in the esophagus or larynx. But even with more harmless causes, clearing your throat can lead to chronic irritation of the mucous membrane and the vocal cords. This is the case when it becomes compulsive. Every time you clear your throat, there is a strong flow of air that strains the sensitive lining of the larynx.
This creates a vicious circle. The irritated mucous membrane encourages you to clear your throat. The clearing of the throat, in turn, irritates the mucous membrane with constant repetition, so that chronic inflammation develops, which ultimately leads to chronic hoarseness. In very rare cases, compulsive clearing of the throat can also be triggered by a benign or even malignant tumor.
When should you go to the doctor?
Compulsive clearing of the throat should always be clarified by a doctor, as the symptoms usually have a serious cause. Medical advice is particularly needed in the case of severe complaints that cannot be alleviated by the usual measures and which increase rapidly over the course of the day. If there are problems swallowing or speech interruptions, a doctor should clarify the cause. There may be a fungal or bacterial attack that needs to be treated immediately.
In general, as soon as clearing your throat becomes compulsive and affects your well-being, medical advice is required. Otherwise, further psychological disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorders can develop. If there are other symptoms such as a sore throat, fever or cough, an ENT doctor must be consulted.
If there is also a swollen throat, there may be a life-threatening bacterial inflammation of the mucous membranes (epiglottitis), which must be treated immediately. Obsessive clearing of the throat that is associated with severe shortness of breath should be clarified by an ambulance service. Obsessive clearing of the throat in infants and young children must be discussed with the pediatrician responsible.
Doctors & therapists in your area
Treatment & Therapy
Therapy and treatment then also depend on the method. In many cases, psychotherapeutic treatments help, and medication can also ensure that the compulsive clearing of the throat is controlled. If the cause is a disorder of the thyroid gland, the doctor can also prescribe medication, whereby the unpleasant feeling in the throat, which is also described as the "lump feeling", is combated.
If there is inflammation or if the doctor has found a cyst, medication must also be administered. In some cases, medical professionals also recommend surgery. This is because the diagnosis reveals a tumor or a lump. In the case of cancer, chemotherapy is also started. If you have a cold, light medication can be enough to make the foreign body sensation disappear.
Sometimes it is possible that - due to the common cold - there is a pronounced need to clear the throat, but this must be treated. Swallowing therapy is often used here. With swallowing therapy, the patient needs to improve his throat clearing and swallowing. Thus it is possible that the coercion can be controlled.
Outlook & forecast
Compulsive throat clearing can go very differently. If the constant clearing of the throat is caused by a cold or flu, the symptoms usually disappear again as soon as the airways have recovered. In the case of a causal disease, the prospect depends on the extent to which the underlying disease has already been treated and what treatment options are still available. Chronic vocal cord inflammation or even chronic bronchitis can take a long time, while cysts can be removed immediately by surgery.
The actual throat attacks can in most cases at least be alleviated by therapeutic measures and a number of preparations. If an inflammation of the vocal cords or any other ailment resulted from clearing the throat, this must be treated concurrently.
If the complaint is caused by a foreign body, it is usually sufficient to remove it. However, if the foreign body remains in the lungs for a long period of time, a pronounced obsessive-compulsive disorder can develop. In addition, inflammation can develop, which sometimes develops into a malignant disease. It is therefore advisable to have problems with the vocal cords and especially compulsive clearing of the throat clarified.
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➔ Medicines for sore throats and difficulty swallowingprevention
The compulsive clearing of the throat can be prevented. Since it is primarily a so-called neurotic effect, a positive result can be achieved through therapy. However, if Tourette's syndrome is the reason for the compulsive clearing of the throat, that "tic" cannot be prevented or prevented.
Chronic causes can also be prevented as part of a healthy lifestyle. The secret recipe is a strong immune system, so that there is no place for any pathogens and thus cannot trigger inflammation, which does trigger the feeling of foreign bodies in the throat.
You can do that yourself
The options for self-treatment for compulsive clearing of the throat depend on the cause of the complaint. If an infection is the cause, it is advisable to strengthen your own defenses. The body has sufficient defenses through a healthy diet rich in vital substances, regular exercise and balance through relaxation phases.
If the compulsive clearing of the throat is caused by a feeling of lump in the throat - in the case of a malfunction of the thyroid gland - an increased fluid intake can initially help. Thyroid diseases represent a permanent inflammatory process in the body. In this case too, a healthy lifestyle with little stress is helpful. In addition to the drug treatment needed, taking supplements such as selenium can help. If the inflammation in the thyroid gland decreases, the uncomfortable feeling in the throat also decreases.
If you have an underlying neurotic problem - obsessive-compulsive disorder - self-treatment is limited. A psychotherapist or psychologist should be consulted here.Mental stress can, however, be alleviated by measures that can be easily integrated into everyday life. This includes measures such as taking breaks in everyday working life, learning breathing techniques, practicing relaxation methods such as yoga or tai chi, finding a balance in sport or manual labor.
The options for dealing with a diagnosed cyst or tumor are also limited. In addition to drug treatment, this often requires surgery. If the compulsive clearing of the throat results from an improper strain on the vocal cords or if there is an anatomical change in the vocal cords, attending a speech therapy therapy can help.
