Differential Diagnosis for a Patient Feeling Like They Have a Pill Stuck in Their Throat
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Globus pharyngeus: This condition is characterized by a sensation of having a lump or foreign body in the throat without any actual obstruction. It's often associated with anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or other benign conditions, making it a common cause for this symptom.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Esophageal dysmotility: Disorders affecting the movement of food through the esophagus can cause a sensation of food or pills getting stuck.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): Chronic reflux can lead to inflammation and irritation of the esophagus, potentially causing the sensation of something being stuck.
- Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus, often due to acid reflux, infections, or allergies, can cause discomfort and the sensation of obstruction.
- Pill esophagitis: Certain medications can cause direct injury to the esophageal mucosa, especially if they get stuck during swallowing.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Esophageal cancer: Although less common, it's crucial to rule out malignancies, as they can present with a sensation of obstruction or a foreign body in the throat.
- Foreign body obstruction: Actual obstruction by a foreign object, which requires immediate medical attention.
- Acute coronary syndrome: In some cases, cardiac issues like myocardial infarction can present with atypical symptoms, including a feeling of choking or having something stuck in the throat.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Eosinophilic esophagitis: A chronic immune system disease in which a type of white blood cell, the eosinophil, builds up in the esophagus in response to an allergen or irritant, leading to inflammation and potentially the sensation of food getting stuck.
- Achalasia: A rare swallowing disorder characterized by the inability of food to pass through the esophagus and into the stomach, which can cause a feeling of obstruction.
- Zenker's diverticulum: A condition where a pouch forms in the pharynx, potentially causing difficulty swallowing and the sensation of food or pills getting stuck.