Q&A with Dr. Kaszuba: The Globus Sensation

Victoria Gestner works with Midwest ENT Consultants, who are ear, nose and throat doctors with offices in various locations, including Plainfield. She wrote this in conjunction with Dr. Scott Kaszuba, a physician with Midwest ENT Consultants.

Ever feel like you have something stuck in your throat when you think nothing is really there? There’s a name for that: the Globus Sensation. Dr. Scott Kaszuba of Midwest ENT Consultants answers common questions about this feeling and how it can be treated.

Q. What exactly is “The Globus Sensation”?

A. Globus is defined as a feeling of something stuck in your throat or a sensation of a lump or tightness in the larynx (the voice box). The term stems from the Latin “globus,” meaning, “a ball.” It is a well-defined clinical symptom that is persistent, somewhat difficult to treat and has the tendency to recur.

Q. What causes that feeling that something is stuck in your throat?

A. The true incidence of Globus is unknown, but it does account for approximately 4% of all ear, nose and throat patient referrals. Up to 45% of the general population has had a mild, intermittent globus sensation at some time in their lives. Globus can occur when parts of the throat are inflamed, specifically one of the three main organs of the throat: the pharynx, larynx or esophagus.

Q. What are the symptoms associated with Globus?

A. The most common symptom of Globus is the sensation that there is an object stuck in the throat. Oftentimes, patients complain of difficulty swallowing saliva and pills, discomfort and irritation in their throat and the need to clear their throat and swallow, or even “double swallow.” Globus can also be associated with hoarseness or a change in the voice.

Q. How can Globus be treated?

A. In most cases, Globus can be treated with conservative medical management. A complete and thorough medical history and physical exam is important for anyone facing Globus symptoms, and evaluation should be considered when symptoms persist daily for more than two weeks, or intermittently for more than two or three months. Some evaluation options include:

• A meticulous exam of the nose, oropharynx and larynx by both mirror and fiberoptic endoscopy
• Modern video imaging of the larynx, which can be performed in outpatient clinics
• Barium swallow, pH monitoring and computed tomography of the neck
• An exam under anesthesia may be necessary once all conservative measures have been exhausted

Fortunately, over time most patients will respond to one or more of the above treatments.

Q. What is one of the most important things to remember when experiencing and treating Globus?

A. It’s crucial to remember that chronic problems often require chronic solutions that may take extended periods of time to complete before the desired result is obtained. Ending or abandoning a treatment regimen too soon is often the misstep. Therefore, careful cooperation between health care professionals and the otolaryngologist over the long-term is necessary for the best possible patient outcomes.

For more information, please visit http://www.midwestentconsultants.com/.