I Have a Lump in My Throat

 This is a very common complaint of people seen in our office. Causes of a lump in the throat vary from postnasal drip, acid reflux, tonsil swelling, infection, stress, and in some cases, thyroid problems. The thyroid is a gland in the front of the voice box. It secretes a hormone that helps regulate processes in our body. Sometimes, the thyroid can swell.
One of the causes of thyroid swelling is an imbalance in hormone production. This imbalance can be a consequence of diet, another illness, or a disease in the thyroid itself. Symptoms include weight gain or loss, hair loss, heat or cold intolerance, and a fast heartbeat. This problem can generally be evaluated with blood tests.
Sometimes, the thyroid develops nodules. Nodules are growths within the thyroid gland. These nodules can occur as consequence of a hormone imbalance. They can also occur as a natural process. Sometimes, multiple nodules can grow at the same time (called a multinodular goiter). Although not as common, a nodule can contain a cancer. We evaluate nodules with blood tests, ultrasounds, and biopsies. Biopsies are performed when a history, exam, and tests suggest that there may be a risk for cancer.
Although most problems in the throat are simple, we should be aware of the other possibilities. You should see your primary care provider if you have any question about “a lump in my throat”.
Please contact Santa Clarita ENT if you have any questions. We are located at 27879 Smyth Drive in Valencia. We can be reached at 661-259-2500. Visit our websites: www.ABeautifulLook.com and www.ENTanswers.com.