Dr. Syed Peerzada Tehmid Ul Haque
Otolaryngology (E.N.T)
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have felt discomfort inside my neck for one week. It is painful, but I can bear it, and it only happens when I swallow liquids or eat food. I do not feel anything even when I swallow my saliva. I do not have such discomfort. There is no particular pain or swollen part. I recently had rhinopharyngitis (two weeks ago), and I coughed a lot, especially in the evenings. But now, I do not have any other symptoms than this strange discomfort. What could it be? Can I check with my local practitioner?
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Since you give a history of rhinopharyngitis, it is relatively common in clinical settings to see patients coming with the sensation of Globus in patients sometimes after having upper respiratory tract infections. Because our throat mucosa is rich in lymphoid and plenty of loosely adherent mucosa over pharyngeal walls, this sensation stays for a while—only a little needs to be done. Avoid greasy, oily, fried, and processed foods. Take plenty of fluids. You can try mucus-loosening lozenges of Ambroxol and Amylmetacresol. Otherwise, it should be fine.
I hope this information will help you.
Thanks.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
I need your advice again. I still have had the same pain for three weeks now. I went to see two local practitioners, and they inspected my throat (with a mirror and my eyes), and they didn’t find anything suspicious. They just told me that this is linked to my job. Indeed, I am a teacher, and I speak six to seven hours a day, nearly every day.
Shall I believe them?
Again, this pain is perfectly bearable but just a little inconvenient and a little bit scary that it could be worse than it seems.
I am sure that the pain is still located in the same part of my neck. I do not have any voice change or feel any pain during the day except when I swallow or yawn. Just in the evening, my voice seems tired because I speak a lot during the day. Except that everything is normal.
Thank You.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
As you have been examined by two doctors who didn't find anything suspicious, and since you have no other symptoms, like difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, or a change in voice, there is little possibility of finding anything sinister. They might be actually right about their assessment of your symptoms being attributable to your job. Vocal fatigue or dragging sensation is frequently seen in people who have to use their voice, like teachers, singers, or vendors. You can try to avoid faulty use of voice as much as possible, including avoiding whispering and shouting. Also, maintain adequate hydration so as to keep the throat moist. Avoid smoking and beverages. Avoid oily, greasy substances.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am writing to you again since I still feel the same pain even though I take a lot of rest and don’t speak much anymore since I am on holiday.
Actually, I did a laryngoscopy one week ago. I attach the report in Chinese, but here is the translation :
The root of the tongue is smooth, the epiglottis is smooth, the double crack is smooth, the double ventricular band is smooth, the left vocal cord is smooth, the right vocal cord is slightly congested, the double vocal cords are well active, and the double pear-shaped fossa is smooth and effusion. The double tonsils are slightly enlarged.
The doctor told me there was nothing to worry about. But the sensation is still there and even appears when I yawn with my mouth wide open and when I move my head to the bottom left. Another thing is that this pain is not permanent when I swallow; when I start eating, I can feel it, but after eating for a while, it disappears.
Apart from that, everything is normal, with no other symptoms or strange sensations.
Could it be linked to any muscle in my neck? Or is this still really my vocal cord or any other part that is still swollen after one month?
Thank you.
Hi,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Sorry to hear that you have not been completely relieved of this bothersome discomfort. Even though this might practically be of little value to you right now, it must give you some comfort to know that laryngoscopy is perfectly normal, and this pain is mostly functional and doesn't predict anything sinister. Muscle pains would be aggravated by movements, and there should be some tenderness at some point. Vocal cord lesions don't per se give pain. It is more of vocal drag or heaviness or scratchiness. But Globus sensations can have different presentations. Have you been prescribed any medicines?
You should try doing isometric cervical exercises.
Thank you.
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Otolaryngology (E.N.T)
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