Abstract
It is a non-painful sensation of a lump in the throat or feeling of having something stuck in the throat. This condition is usually long lasting, difficult to treat and has a tendency to recur. Due to unknown etiology, it is very difficult to establish standard investigation and treatment strategies for affected patients. Here in this article we will discuss globus pharyngis in detail and its ayurvedic correlation also.
Introduction
Globus pharyngis is a non- painful sensation of a lump or foreign body in the throat. It is a common condition that is reported by upto 46% of apparently healthy individuals. It was first reported by hippocrates approximately 2500 years ago. It was also called "globus hystericus". Gastroesophageal reflux disease, abnormalities of the upper esophageal sphincter, psychological and psychiatric disorders are the major causes of globus pharyngis. Numerous other disorders such as esophageal motility disorders, structural head and neck diseases, and psychological factors are the potential causes of globus. Careful history taking is the first step for managing globus pharyngis. Muscle therapy, nasal therapy, proton pump inhibitors ,speech and language therapy can be helpful in patients whose symptoms persist despite negative investigations. This condition is equally present in both men and women. Let's discuss in detail.
Facts
- It is a non painful sensation
- In this disease both men and women are equally affected
- Globus pharyngis has tendency to recur
- It can easily manageable by ayurvedic herbs
Causes
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Esophageal motor disorders
- Upper aerodigestive malignancy
- Thyroid disease
- Cervical heterotopic gastric mucosa
- Rare laryngopharyngeal tumors
- Psychological factors and stress
- Retroverted epiglottis
Other Causes
- Muscle tension
- Acid reflux
- Postnasal drip
- Emotional reactions
Symptoms
- Tightness or pressure in the throat
- Itching in the throat
- Swelling of the throat
- Hoarseness
- Chronic cough
Diagnosis
- Reflux symptom index and reflux finding score- the symptoms of globus pharyngis can be confused with other laryngeal conditions caused by smoking, allergies, infections, vocal abuse, or neurogenic mechanisms as well as non-pathological variations. So reflux symptom index is a self administered tool for assessing the symptoms of globus pharyngis.
- Barium swallow- barium swallow studies have been reported to identify benign lesions with globus in one-third of patients. Thus this test is useful for the investigation of patients with globus.
- Video fluoroscopy- this test is helpful to identify pharyngeal dysfunction in a substantial proportion of globus patients.
- Flexible esophagogastroscopy- this procedure enables full esophageal evolution and diagnosis of the cause of globus pharyngis.
- Manometry-it is a useful tool for assessing lower esophageal sphincter pressure and peristaltic sequence.
Treatment
1. Anti- reflux Treatment
Gastroesophageal reflux is the major cause of globus so anti-reflux treatment should be the first attempt method for managing patients with globus.
2. Speech and language therapy
This therapy includes neck and shoulder exercises, general relaxation techniques, voice exercises and voice hygiene to relieve vocal tract discomfort. This therapy is very useful to treat patients with globus pharyngis symptoms.
3. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is the best treatment for a variety of somatoform disorders. In this therapy antidepressants have been found to be beneficial for globus patients.
Other treatments
- Proton pump inhibitors
- Muscle therapy
- Nasal spray therapy
Prevention
- Drink plenty of water
- Quit smoking
- Rest your voice when you have a cold.
Ayurvedic view
Ayurveda simply means knowledge of life which includes many therapies such as herbal medicines, oils, enemas, laxatives, massage, yoga and special diet etc. According to ayurveda our body is composed of three components such as dhatu, mal and doshas. According to ayurveda globus pharyngis can be correlated with imbalance of doshas. The doshas which are aggravated cause a feeling of something stuck in the throat. The imbalance doshas can be balanced by some ayurvedic therapies (panchkarma), reducing foods and lifestyle habits that aggravated them. Vatanulomana and udavarta chikitsa are also useful for the management of globus pharyngis. Tightness or pressure in the throat can be managed by turmeric and salt water gargles or with yashtimadhu. Drinking fluids and staying hydrated can be helpful in the itchy throat. You can take steam or clove powder with honey to reduce the swelling in the throat. The herbs which are useful for the management of globus pharyngis are yashtimadhu, mishri, pippali, amla, marich and sonth.
Herbal remedies for globus Pharyngis by Planet Ayurveda
Planet ayurveda is a worldwide company which treats humans as well as animals. This is a GMP certified company. All the medicines made by this company are natural and free from side effects. This company makes medicines under the observation of MD ayurveda doctors. Planet Ayurveda makes medicine in the form of tablets, syrup and churna. All the products are gluten free. In case of globus pharyngis following products are offered by Planet ayurveda
Product list
- Yashtimadhu ghan vati
- Mahashankh vati
- Kaas Har churna
- Avipattikar churna
Product Description
1. Yashtimadhu ghan vati
Yashtimadhu is in the form of a tablet which contains natural herb yashtimadhu ( Glycyrrhiza glabra). Yashtimadhu is very helpful to manage diseases of the upper respiratory tract. It is an effective expectorant that helps to liquefy mucus and facilitate its discharge from the body. The expectorant effect of yashtimadhu benefits people suffering from symptoms of globus pharyngis. Thus this tablet is very helpful in the management of globus pharyngitis.
Dose: - 2 tablets twice daily after meal with plain water
2. Mahashankh vati
Mahashankh vati is an ayurvedic formulation that consists of natural herbs. The main ingredients of this tablet are shunthi ( Zingiber officinalis), pippali ( Piper longum), shankha bhasma ( Ash of conch shell), and shuddha vatsanabha ( Purified aconitum ferox). This tablet is very helpful in the management of indigestion, abdominal pain, and irregular food habits. This medicine is very helpful to expel the gas from the stomach and relieve indigestion.
Dose:- 2 tablets twice daily to be chewed 20 minutes before meal.
3. Kaas Har churna
The main ingredients of this capsule are mishri ( Crystallized sugar lumps), vanshlochan (Bambusa arundinacea), pippali ( Piper longum), ela ( Elettaria cardamomum) and dalchini ( Cinnamomum zeylanica). It is very effective in all frequent attacks of cold and cough. It also increases the circulation of the lungs and encourages vasodilation. All the ingredients in this churna are natural and free from side effects.
Dose:- ½ tsp twice daily with plain water after meals
4. Avipattikar churna
The main ingredients of avipattikar churna are pippali ( Piper longum), sonth ( Zingiber officinale), marich ( Piper nigrum), amla ( Emblica officinalis), haritali ( Terminalia chebula) and nagarmotha ( Cyperus scariosus). All the ingredients used in this churna mainly work on the digestive system and improve digestion. Nagarmotha present in this churna manages the appetite issues. The symptoms caused by globus pharyngis are easily manageable by this churna. Thus, this churna is very useful to improve digestion.
Dose:- 1 tsp twice daily after meal with lukewarm water.
Conclusion
Globus pharyngis is a non-painful sensation of a lump in the throat or feeling of having something stuck in the throat. This condition is usually long lasting, difficult to treat and has a tendency to recur. Due to unknown aetiology, it is very difficult to establish standard investigation and treatment strategies for affected patients. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, abnormalities of the upper esophageal sphincter, psychological and psychiatric disorders are the major causes of globus pharyngis. Here In this article we have learnt globus pharyngitis in detail and its Ayurvedic management also.
