Cricopharyngeus Spasm: A Troubling Feeling of a Lump in the Throat

Dr. Robert Bastian of Bastian Voice Institute explains cricopharyngeus spasm, a problem that causes a troubling sensation of throat constriction or of a foreign body in the throat.

Cricopharyngeus spasm is caused by over-contraction of the upper esophageal sphincter, or cricopharyngeus muscle, and causes an annoying, preoccupying, even anxiety-provoking sensation of something stuck in the throat, like a "wad of phlegm." A common description is "There is something in my throat that I can't swallow or spit out." Individuals with this problem often have difficulty getting a clear diagnosis, and may see several physicians and undergo unnecessary and unhelpful tests in their quest for an answer. Sometimes also called "globus sensation," this disorder is described and explained in detail.

http://www.bastianvoice.com

Category:

Education

Tags:

• medicine
• cricopharyngeus
• spasm
• muscle
• sphincter
• Bastian
• throat
• sensation
• problem
• downers
• grove
• illinois
• voice
• institute

[tomcamp6023]

I HAVE NO TROUBLE AND I KNOW IT IS A SPASM. I WENT TO BASTIAN INSTITUTE AND THEY WERE NO HELP. THE DOCTOR UNDER BASTIAN, JUST GAVE UP AND SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW. HE SAID "BECAUSE THE BOTOX DIDN'T WORK , i DONT HAVE A CRICO SPASM. WRONG. BOTOX ONLY WORKS IN A SMALL PERCENTAGE. BASTIAN OFFICE DOES NOT KNOW 50 PERCENT OF WHAT THEY SHOULD ABOUT DIAGNOSES OF CRICO SPASM. I WASTED MY TIME THERE. THEY WERE NO HELP AND QUIT . THEY WILL NOT RECOMMEND ANYTHING. WEAK PEOPLE. AVOID AT ALL COST.

[BVI03]

@tomcamp6023

I do not know you and cannot speak therefore to your specific issues. I certainly wish you the best in finding the answer you need.

[BVI03]

Someone recently posted and I think confused cricopharyngeus spasm with cricopharyngeus dysfunction. Remember that CP spasm gives the feeling of a lump, but swallowing works fine. CP dysfunction, on the other hand, intereferes with swallowing and tends to cause food lodgement mid-to-low neck.

[tomcamp6023]

@BVI03 . Your service does not know the causes of CP spasm and you don't know all the symptoms. I have CPspasms and I can swallow fine but the lump or Golfball as you say. Hurts. CPS can affect the nerves around the neck so you will have pain. If you don't know what causes it you probably don't know every symptom or how to cure it. I think you care and your video was very helpful but please don't lead people away just because they don't have pain. Once you have it you will see their alittle pain

[BVI03]

@tomcamp6023 Thank you for your response. There is of course variation in biological systems, and always the potential for an atypical manifestation of a disorder. Do keep in mind, however, that pain is not at all common with this disorder.  The typical description is not pain, but instead a sensation of a lump, pressure, choking, constriction, a band, swelling, etc. I pain is prominent and especially if the person's experience of it is recent, this would suggest careful thought . . .

[Combatarms420]

can youplease help me... i have this and im only 15 i am seriously getting scared and makes me panic even when i think about it even know i know whats wrong it just makes me go crazy idk if i can live with this how can i get rid of it pllzzzzz zz help me plzzzzzzz

[BVI03]

@Combatarms420 This is an informational (not specific medical advice) response to several prior posts. CPS does not cause pain, nor does it interfere with ability to swallow. Eating reduces or abolishes the sensation, if transiently. This is an issue with increased muscle tone causing SENSATION of lump. Eating food works fine, and seems like "therapy," There is another dx of CPDysfunction (CPD, not CPM--they are different). Refer to CPD video too. And above all, see your doctor!

[markfrommaine]

@cassyyxo buck up! Two whole days and you are ready to check out? You need to volunteer at a hospital to gain some perspective. Im not trying to be insensitive, but holy cows!

[ajhrockerboy6]

@BVI03 will this problem kill a person? because i think i have it too.

[Darwinianmedicine]

Sorry tomcamp, but Dr. Bastian is renown for his scrupulous medical history and emphasis on novelty (his bold cricopharyngeus myotomy approach is as an example). The fact that he is providing free medical insights—to anyone on the Internet—demonstrates his sincerity. If more people were as scrupulous as him—doctors and lay people alike—the world would be a better place. Do not give up hope because there are additional avenues for treatment. Please explore them. All the best......

[Y0UngA55isin]

Im 12 years old and ive got this spasm thing M SOOO SCARED o_o

[Pippetypippen]

I've had all the symptoms described for over a week now! I'm getting frustrated. Is there a cure? Is there a way to solve this problem.... I'm very discouraged.

[fresswolf]

I was misdiagnosed with reflux disease by 3 doctors! All I had was a feeling of inflammation in the larynx. I took 100mg of MDMA and the smyptoms were gone completely! Also, the troubles I had with my singing voice were gone. So it was just this spasm and the drug made the muscles relax. I've completely lost faith in my doctors. They gave me PPIs which made me feel depressed and tired. I don't recommend taking MDMA more than once, but it's good to have the assurance that it's "just" a spasm

[phads77]

I have ALL the symptoms you describe. And I'm the patient that have gone to alot of doctors and they all say different things! ENT said it might be catarrh. Another ENT said it was because of phlegm. Another said it was stress. And my GP said he dont know and the list goes on. But the thing that bothers me is that I dont know if i have reflux that causes this or just stress...

[kevlardrone09]

this is new to me! this just happened 6hours ago! after few hours of eating dinner i felt this sensation so a drank a lot if water, even ate a banana hoping that it will help get rid of watever is stuck.. but its still here up to now!

[123lizemo]

i pig squeal and u do not know what that it its a sort of metal sing by inhaling or exhaling i inhale i think i may of strained a muscle with it go away and will it often get sore?

[Andearea]

Hi Dr. Bastian, thanks for you video. I have the lgobus sensation, as well as food getting "caught up" in my throat area. I'm aspirating trace amounts of liquids - my lungs are paying a price. In the ba swallow there is laryngeal penetration and leaking into the trachea. There is also a "V"-like area at the UES. In what percentage of people is Botox effective and is this treatment less effective than a myotomy? Have you seen aspiration related to tight UES's before and how did you resolve it?