Frog in the throat

Other causes should be considered, such as acid reflux, if the pharyngeal discomfort persists for weeks or months and does not improve. If stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus during reflux, small amounts of it can reach the larynx and trigger an inflammation there. The burning sensation in the throat that is typical of heartburn often only becomes noticeable when larger amounts of stomach acid flow into the oesophagus. If this typical symptom is absent, many people do not think of reflux at first when they have a foreign body sensation in their throat or a need to clear their throat. During the medical examination with the endoscope, the redness in the area of the larynx, at the vocal cords and at the entrance to the oesophagus can be detected.

If you have heartburn, you should reduce acidic foods such as citrus fruits and carbonated drinks. Stimulants such as alcohol and coffee promote acidity and should also be avoided. For more severe symptoms, medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPI) can relieve symptoms, but only as long as they are taken. PPI prevent too much acid from being produced in the stomach.

An inflammation is not always the cause if the frog or lump in the throat does not want to go away. The discomfort can also have psychological causes. Stress, fear, anger or sadness can sometimes cause the muscles around the larynx and vocal folds to tighten. Especially when the musculus constrictor pharyngis - also called the »pharyngeal ligament« - is under high tension and the vocal folds can no longer move freely, it is easy to experience discomfort. In addition to reducing stress, speech therapy or physiotherapy with voice and breathing exercises can help.

If the vocal folds are strained a lot by speaking or singing, the water bottle should always be handy. Drinking plenty of water moistens the throat, as do special throat lozenges with xanthan gum and hyaluronic acid that are sucked every two to three hours. They form a kind of moisture depot and thus relieve the mucous membrane (for example GeloRevoice®). Lozenges with gum Arabic stimulate the flow of saliva, bind the moisture and form a protective moisturising film on the mucous membrane of the throat (for example Ipalat® Hydro Med).

Regardless of what causes the frog in the throat – the urge to clear one’s throat should be resisted in any case. Because clearing the throat affects the mucous membrane and can make the symptoms even worse. When you clear your throat, the vocal folds rub against each other with a lot of force and the protective layer of mucus is rubbed off. If the irritation in the throat becomes too great, coughing or humming is still better than clearing the throat. If the compulsion to clear one’s throat has not subsided after three months at the latest, it is advisable to seek medical advice.