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Feel like something is stuck at the back of my tongue or throat

For the past two days I feel like there is something stuck at the rear end of my tongue on the right side... Actually I cant even figure out if it is on my tongue or my throat, but when I swallow I feel like a husk is stuck somewhere behind there. It gives me this really irritating feeling. There is no pain or any swelling, just a lot and lot of irritation.

Anyone been through this? How do I get this cleared? It is soooo darn irritating.
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Avatar universal
You may have tonsillitis or tonsiliths- tiny stones that form in your tonsils and adenoids from trapped food that basically fossilized.
It's also possible you have a glossopharyngeal fold dysfunction. If it happens after swallowing (food/liquids/or pills), see the following:

I have this same problem but only with pills and no issue with food or liquids. The smaller the pill, the higher the likelihood it will be stuck in my throat for the foreseeable future. I finally realized I was swallowing pills differently. I was tipping my head back... Something I did not do while eating a general meal.

***TRY THIS***
When you swallow, rather than tipping your head back, tuck your chin downward. This creates a better seal over the posterior nasal cavities by pressing the salpingopharyngeal fold backward.

***If you have something CURRENTLY stuck***
-Tuck your chin slightly downward
-Give a few short burst-like snorts as far back toward your soft palate as possible (like you're trying to clear mucus from your posterior nasal passages) until the item dislodges.
-KEEP YOUR CHIN TUCKED as you swallow.
-If the item is inadvertently inhaled, keep your chin tucked as you cough. This will prevent the item from shooting back up behind the soft palate as it's expelled from the trachea, allowing you to safely swallow it instead.

This can be caused by anatomical malformations, surgical nerve trauma (thyroid, tonsils/adenoids, oral/dental, etc) or (more likely) cervical spine misalignment/ nerve impingement that weakens the response by associated nerves to the various throat muscles.
When the nerve is weaker, the glossopharyngeal fold does not raise enough to properly seal the nasal cavity. We are always taught to tip our head back when swallowing which actually has the opposite effect were looking for when the glossopharyngeal fold is weak or dysfunctional. Tucking the chin forward and down resolves this dysfunction by engaging an additional muscle group.

A weekly or biweekly chiropractic adjustment has helped me tremendously! No more pills stuck in my throat, throat burning, irritation, tension headaches, or super annoying sniffling and snorting and coughing!

If you don't know of a reputable, appropriately credentialed and experienced chiropractor, biweekly deep tissue massage, acupuncture, yoga and diaphragmatic breathing exercises can all help build muscle strength, release muscle tension causing misalignment, and increase sensitivity and responsivity of the nerves associated. Some people have gotten relief from regularly singing to increase muscle control in the larynx and pharynx.

Hope this helps!
Wishing you all lump free throats and resolution of your pain!
Helpful - 0
1337001 tn?1276883841
Hi,

It is indeed possible to have Laryngo-pharyngeal reflux without any other symptoms. More over your query does not mention about any other problems apart from this. Try the methods which I suggested if it is not improving please do consult an ENT specialist.

Regards
OHNS2010
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you. I just read about  Laryngo-pharyngeal reflux and do not have any other symptom.  Is it possible for my condition to be  Laryngo-pharyngeal reflux without any of the other symptoms?
Helpful - 0
1337001 tn?1276883841
Hi,

You seem to be having Laryngo-pharyngeal reflux, which is secondary to acid-reflux disease. No need to worry, drink plenty of warm water, avoid alcohol/ smoking/ stress if any. If this continues then try taking proton pump inhibitors. Still, if you feel its not improving please get yourself examined by an apt ENT specialist.

Regards
OHNS2010
Helpful - 0
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