Why do I get a lump in my throat when I'm sad

ask Sander:

A. If the lump in your throat is brought on by emotion and not caused by a physical condition, then it's what doctors call 'globus hystericus' or 'globus sensation'.

Q. You what
A. It's an exaggerated awareness of the throat muscles going into spasm. For most of us, it happens during the sad bits of a film, or at a wedding, or even a particularly sentimental episode of EastEnders. For others, it can be a more serious stress-related condition.

Q. What happens
A. The globus sensation is the feeling of having some kind of lump in the throat when there isn't a physical reason for it. Sufferers gasp for breath and feel as if they can't breathe. Some think their Adam's apple has swollen up or moved.

This lump in the throat is often accompanied by sweating, a pounding heart, clammy hands and a dry mouth. There are feelings of panic, fear and anxiety.

Q. Is it life-threatening
A. No. Even though some people actually have difficulty swallowing, or feel that food is sticking in their gullet, there is no physical reason for it. Your throat won't actually close if there's no physical problem.

Q. What causes it
A. It's usually linked with depression, or it can be a symptom of a panic attack. Rreassurance and calmer breathing will help the feeling disappear. As a rule, it isn't a problem once the underlying reason for the depression or panic attack has been dealt with. Sometimes, just the realisation that the feeling of fullness in the throat is caused by anxiety is enough to make it stop.

If such attacks are common, sufferers should get help. Anti-anxiety drugs don't usually help, but breathing exercises and yoga do.

Q. What physical conditions could cause a lump in the throat
A. A constant feeling of a lump in the throat could be caused by something like reflux oesophagitis, caused by the acid content of the stomach coming back up because of poor muscle tone; or it could even be a symptom of throat cancer. If you have a lump in your throat which doesn't just appear when you feel emotional, see your GP immediately.

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By Sheena Miller