Differential Diagnosis for "Candy in Throat"

• Single most likely diagnosis:
  • Foreign body sensation (e.g., due to a piece of candy or food lodged in the throat): This is the most straightforward explanation, given the symptom description. It's a common occurrence where an object, in this case, candy, gets stuck in the throat, causing discomfort or a sensation of something being lodged.
• Other Likely diagnoses:
  • Pharyngitis (sore throat): Inflammation of the pharynx can cause a sensation similar to having something stuck in the throat, and it's a common condition that could be mistaken for a foreign body.
  • Tonsillitis: Similar to pharyngitis, inflammation of the tonsils can cause throat discomfort that might be described as feeling like candy is stuck.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Acid reflux can cause a sensation of something being stuck in the throat due to the irritation of the esophageal lining.
• Do Not Miss diagnoses:
  • Esophageal foreign body: While the question specifies "candy in throat," it's crucial not to miss the possibility of the object being further down in the esophagus, which could lead to serious complications if not addressed promptly.
  • Epiglottitis: Although less common, this condition involves inflammation of the epiglottis and can cause severe throat pain and a sensation of obstruction, which might be described similarly.
• Rare diagnoses:
  • Esophageal stricture: Narrowing of the esophagus can cause difficulty swallowing and a sensation of food getting stuck, which might be perceived as candy being lodged in the throat.
  • Esophageal tumor: Though rare, a tumor in the esophagus could cause a persistent sensation of something being stuck in the throat due to obstruction or irritation of the esophageal lining.