HomeAnswersOtolaryngology (E.N.T)gerdWill a chronic silent GERD cause irritation in the throat with a feeling of a lump?

I have a lump at the back of my throat, which is not painful but irritating. Please help.

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Published At June 4, 2021
Reviewed AtDecember 11, 2023

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have a lump at the back of my throat behind my tonsil on the right side. It is not causing any pain, but it is irritating, and I can feel it when I swallow. I also have a feeling of pressure in my right ear. I feel well otherwise with no throat pain or fatigue. When examined by my doctor last week, she said she could not see any lump. And she prescribed me Omeprazole. She said the feeling of a lump in my throat might be a acid reflux. I can see the lump when I use a torch and see into my throat. I am a 32 years old male. My height is 5 ft 10 inches, and I weigh 197 lbs. I do not have any previous history. I have attached a picture for your reference. Kindly give your opinion.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I had a detailed look at the picture you have sent (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). The lump that you are referring to is a mucosal fold that belongs to the posterior tonsillar pillar. It is sometimes visible in a few and may not be visible in others. It is not a pathological structure or a growth. The most common reason for having this irritation in the throat with a feeling of a lump or something obstructing while swallowing saliva can be a feature of chronic silent GERD with LPR (gastroesophageal reflux with laryngopharyngeal reflux). Even though you might be asymptomatic or never had gastric issues in between, the inflammation in the throat often exists in the hidden form and can resurface when adequate care is not taken. As you know, the stomach usually has got cells that release hydrochloric acid and thus keep the gastric environment acidic in nature. However, your entire mucosal lining from the mouth, throat and food pipe (esophagus) is not meant to handle anything acidic. Of the three structures, the throat is the most sensitive due to its rich nerve supply. If your mouth, throat, or food pipe chronically comes in contact with acidic contents in a given situation, an inflammation starts which the body initially takes care of, but once this compensation wears out, you start developing symptoms that you have mentioned. Please try to follow the. Advice mentioned below 1) Maintain a strict diet and eating on time. 2) Avoid spicy, oily, and cold food or drinks. 3) Keep a gap of two hours between meals and going to bed. 4) Do not over eat, instead keep your stomach half empty and have regular intermittent light food like fresh-cut fruits in between major meals. 5) Saltwater gargling eight to ten times a day for 15 days. 6) Avoid alcohol and smoking as it can potentiate reflux. 7) Try to maintain a left lateral position while sleeping to reduce the chance of reflux. Treatment plan: 1) Tablet Pan D (Pantoprazole with Domperidone) 40 mg once in the morning half an hour before food for one month. 2) Syrup Mucaine gel (Oxetacaine, Aluminium hydroxide, milk of magnesia) one teaspoon three times a day 20 minutes before meals for one month. Make sure you follow the precautionary measures as much as possible, as mere medications will not fetch long-term relief. Please understand that this typically takes four to six weeks for things to normalize and for symptoms to subside and chiefly depends on how much you have been able to follow the precaution mentioned above as 80 percent of the treatment lies there. There is absolutely nothing that you need to worry about as this is treatable. Please get back for further queries.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Bhadragiri Vageesh Padiyar
Dr. Bhadragiri Vageesh Padiyar

Otolaryngology (E.N.T)

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