“Feels like something is stuck in my throat”—that phrase comes up a lot in reflux forums, including a recent Reddit post asking for answers:
This is a classic example of what’s known as a globus sensation, and it’s a lot more common in reflux sufferers than you might think.
Some describe it as a knot in the throat, others as a back of throat lump. Regardless, the sensation can linger even when reflux symptoms seem under control—and it often doesn’t show up on scopes.
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Is It Just LPR? The Globus Throat Debate
In the Reddit thread, someone suggested this is mostly a silent reflux (LPR) issue. That’s partly true, but in reality the globus symptom can also happen with traditional reflux / GERD. You don’t have to have full-blown LPR to experience it.
With GERD, acid can irritate the lower esophagus and trigger inflammation or even muscle spasms—it doesn’t need to be aerosolized like in silent reflux (LPR) to cause trouble.
Should You Be Worried About the Lump in Your Throat?
Someone asked, “Is it bad? I’m scared like I keep swallowing to clear my throat and nothing works.” Another user replied, “It’s just annoying.”
Truth be told, it’s not a medical emergency—but it’s also not harmless. The issue isn’t just the globus lump in throat feeling itself, but the ongoing inflammation driving it. If left unaddressed, chronic irritation—especially from embedded pepsins—can lead to vocal cord strain, oxidative stress in the tissues, or more serious esophageal complications over time.
How to Calm a Globus Sensation
Several Reddit users shared tips for short-term relief—like sipping warm water or using throat sprays. One popular suggestion was spraying baking soda water into the throat. This can be effective temporarily, as studies show that alkaline sprays can deactivate pepsin, a digestive enzyme that embeds in throat tissue and reactivates when exposed to acid.
Just keep in mind: this is very different from drinking alkaline water, which can disrupt your stomach’s natural acidity, hinder proper digestion, and in more severe cases lead to organ failures, or other serious dysfunctions.
Here are a few things to try:
1 Cut Acidic Foods for a Few Days
Temporarily remove foods and drinks with a pH between 1 and 5—like citrus, coffee, wine, vinegar, soda, and tomatoes. This gives irritated tissue a chance to heal and reduces pepsin reactivation, which often fuels the globus throat cycle.
2 Feed Your Body’s Anti-Inflammatory Engine
So sprays and dietary modifications can help short term but long-term relief comes from reducing inflammation at the root. The gut plays a major role in healing inflammation—through the production of short-chain fatty acids from prebiotic fibers. Focus on:
- Colorful vegetables
- Legumes
- Whole grains
- Fruits, nuts, and seeds
This dietary support helps calm the globus symptom by restoring balance rather than just managing irritation.
3 Try Natural Mucosal Support
In addition to ramping up your fiber intake there are natural supplements that can accelerate tissue repair while rebuilding resiliance:
- DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice)
- Aloe vera juice (inner leaf)
- Slippery elm powder
- And addressing key vitamin deficiencies
These help create a protective layer, reduce irritation, and speed up recovery.
Personal Triggers Can Deepen the Problem
A helpful Reddit comment warned about nut butters and dry foods—reasonable advice if your throat is already irritated. Just keep in mind: triggers are personal. Nut butter might that bothers one person may be fine for another. The goal is to find your pattern—and avoid trigger stacking during flare-ups.
Meds and Alginates: Helpful or Harmful?
One respondent suggested using alginates like Gaviscon to protect the throat after meals. While they can offer short-term relief, they may not be ideal if you’re dealing with low stomach acid. In that case, alginates can slow digestion and actually worsen reflux by increasing fermentation and pressure. A better long-term approach is to support digestion—rather than suppress it.
Still Hoping for Clarity from an Endoscopy?
The original poster shared they were scheduled—and hopeful—for an upcoming EGD, looking for long-awaited answers. While this test can be useful, it’s important not to feel discouraged if the results come back inconclusive.
Most people with globus sensation walk away from scopes without clear answers. In my case, the doctor blamed a small hiatal hernia and told me I’d have reflux for life. That news hit hard—I felt discouraged for nearly a decade. But thankfully, he couldn’t have been more wrong.
Also, just because the test doesn’t reveal much doesn’t mean nothing’s wrong—it often means the real issue lies deeper and needs a more root-cause approach to truly resolve.
Final Thoughts
The path forward isn’t just about calming symptoms. It’s about removing triggers, rebuilding gut health from the root, while giving your tissues the tools they need to heal. Like hemorrhoids, the globus sensation is often a sign that something deeper is out of balance.
There’s a way out of this—and it starts by listening to the signals your body is giving you. If you want to explore healing options that go beyond temporary fixes, check out my book, How I Cured My Silent Reflux.
And by the way — if you ever want to send in your own question for the show, I’d love to hear from you. Just head to the show notes, and you’ll find ways to message me or links to my contact page where you can email me or leave a quick voicemail.This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your physician for personalized care.
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